Evening journal., 1922-09-11
engineers HAVE
TARGET PRACTICE
Companies D and F From
Fort Dupont at Rifle
Range
PRIZES OFFERED FOR
BEST MARKSMEN
Special to The Evening Journal.

special 10 The Evening JournaL
NEW CASTLE. Sept. 1.-THE
first encampment and competitive
target practice Of the First Engi-
neers Regiment, L. S. Army, ever
held in the State OF Delaware be-
gan this morning at the State Rife
Range about one mile below this
city. Companies d and F compris-
Ing about 100 men and officers ar
rived at the range shortly before
noon yesterday. after hiking from
Fort Dupont. where the engineers
have been stationed for the past six
months.
The two companies were accom-
panied by a mule transportation
train composed OF eleven trucks
loaded with equipment and ammu-
milton. The soldiers were under
heavy marching orders and on ar
riving at the range began preparing
for their ten days stay there. They
pitched camp on the site used by the
ment) Delaware National Guard
during its second annual encamp-
ment at the range during the first
two weeks of August.
This marks the opening OF the an
nual range practice of the regiment,
and the scores made here will decide
the extra remuneration to. be re-
ceived by the engineers during the
next year. In accordance with the
records made by soldiers. medals
will be awarded for expert rifemen.
sharpshooter and for marksmen
credits
This is the first time in the history
of Delaware the range has been used
by regular army men for such pur-
poses. The selection of tho range
for these contests this year was due
TO the Fort DUPONT range being pro-
vided with only one set OF targets
200-yard range. The requirements
for this annual fete OF all depart
ments OF the army are three sets 500
yards, 500 yards and 600 yards
range. The requirements are not at
the rifle range. The range at the
fort was established during the oc-
cupancy by the coast artillery corps
detachments. which requires only a
2o0-yard range.
AS only comparatively small de-
tail OF c. A. c. men are stationed at |
the fort, the commandant Is arrang- |
ing for the changing of this range
and establishing the requisite num-
Der and style of ranges required by
the present occupants.
This change will be made by the
men stationed at the fort this fall
and winter. In an effort 10 get high
scores, the commanders OF the com
panies have offered valuable prizes
Tor the highest, second and third
highest scores. These companies
close their operations at the range
wednesday September 20. and win
be followed Immediately by Com
panies c and b OF the same regiment
which will be given the same drilll I
work and competitive shooting for
medals and other prizes. ,
These camps will be closed lafe IN ,
october with completion OF the
snooung by the unattached men.
sucn as the medal and quartermas-
ter corps. Company A, which has
been detailed at Camp Dix as in
structors and exemplifiers of mill
tary operations for the citizens milf
tary training camp for the last three
months, will arrive at Fort Mott. n.
j., Just opposite Fort Dupont. some
time this week
They will be accompanied on their
southwark hike by detail OF thirty
men Of Company, c, which has been ,
on duty in road building operation
at Montauk Point. Long Island
which will arrive at Camp Dix on
Monday These two detachments of
engineers will march to Penn's
Grove, N. j., where they will sepa-
rate, Company A continuing TO Fort I
Mott and the detail belonging TO :
Company Q will cross to Wilmington :
and proceed TO Fort Dupont. Yes Z
.erday the commandant at Fort :
OuPont sent a detachment with a 2
lVe-car motor train TO transport the h
company baggage from Camp Dix to Il
he fort. y
Ine men Of Companies d and f :,
spent this morning in making prepa-
-auon for the annual target practice -
Shlch VIII occupy their attention for ~
me next ten days. The targets were =,
sohe over and the distances meas :.
ureo' rifles put into condition and "
ne nrst practice will take p;ace -
sDout 2.SO o'clock this afternoon
Company d. in command OF Can .,
eslh Harry Vaughn, is oonnosed ~
.iios'iy OF overseas veterans WITH -,-
.eW recently enlisted men canta,T III
ausnn was pleasantly surprised >.
"nen ne noticed the conAden+ 80 u
veteran-like manner the neu, -. u
hanoied themselves in making rrar o.
aration for the first practice 60
tam Vaughn has personally offered ~ y
a prize OF complete new ci,,ii,ea e
outfit to the soldier of his cornnan,, y
the highest score during ,ho Il
contest. Captain John Veal in coyn ,
nand OF Company F. has offered :,
prizes to his company for similar re- a
ults. -
During these annual contests great y
ivalry exists between the various r
nits and individuals. Beside the 4
norts to secure the highest degree
I proficiency in shooting and the
andling OF the weapons. the com
handing officers Will spend much A
me in various other drills by the A
nits not on the range. The strict Z
st discipline and wariike meneuvers W
Ill be among the features OF the Il