Evening star., 1923-07-29
GUARDSMEN BREAK
CAMP IN DOWNPOUR
Storm Hits Congress Heights
While They Are Rolling
Packs for Home.

In the heavy rainstorm yesterday
afternoon. which left Camp Sims,
Congress Heights, a sea of mud, $50
non n-commissioned officers of the
121st Engineers. District of Columbia
National Guard. broke camp after a
most successful weeks training.
The men were preparing to leave
camp when the storm broke, and by
the time they had completed pack
ing their equipment were well soaked.
They were picked from every COM
pany of the 121st Engineers and were
selected because of their military ex-
perience, special qualifications and
ability to attend a school of instruc-
zion to prepare them as instructors
for the large number of guardSmen
who will go to camp with the Dis
triCt troops this summer at the main
annual encampment.
The detachment was selected by
Maj. John w. Oehmann, commanding.
upon recommendation of the various
company commanders. Only a few
men from each company were allowed
to attend. They left the armory
Monday morning early, arriving at
camp two hours later, and immedi-
been prepared for them by Capt
II. H. Pohl, Regular Army instructor,
in charge of National Guard train
ing. Not an hour was lost during the
entire week from the original sched-
ule outlined, in spite of the two days
of rainy weather.
Schedule of Work.
The mornings were devoted to rife
practice. From Monday until Friday
the afternoons were devoted to in
fantry drill, engineer construction
work and athletics. A Lampert
bridge was constructed over the
large camp swimming pool, under the
direction of Capt. r. Nj. McCuthen of
Fort Humphrey, while lectures on
modern warfare, trench making and
barbed wire entanglements were
given by Capt. II. II. Pohl. This was
followed by practical demonstrations
under the direction of Capt. Joseph
c. Sutton and Sergeant-Instructu
CoanShock.
The value of the training received
was demonstrated in practical
manner Friday afternoon when the
large wooden reservoir, containing
the camps water supply. became de-
fecttre and the supply of water was
cut off. A large steel tank weighing
two tons was Immediately procured
BY use of the engineer materials
which the men had learned to use.
the tank was raised to an elevation
of twentySiX feet, and within two
hours the job was completed and at
-
the cost of having it constructed by
private contract.
Good Firing Average.
Every man of the detachment quail
flied on the rifle range with high
scores. The entire course of 200, 800,
500 and 500 yards slow and rapid fire
was covered and all the scores made
were much higher than the usual
average. Capt. II. H. Lizear, who
will command the District rifle team
at Camp Perry, ohio, during Septem-
Der. was enabled to select his team
at this encampment. The team con-
sists of twelve men, six OF whom
have fired on the District team pre-
viously.
A pontoon bridge was constructed
plant. yesterday morning, under su-
pervision of Capt. J. s. Oliff, Com
pany D, and Master Sergt. s. G..
HUNT. The troops were paid yester-
day afternoon and returned to the
armory last night.
Col. Hamilton. officer in charge of
National Guard officers of the Sd
Corps Area, made an inspection of
the camp Friday and was much
pleased with the showing made and
comm, nded Gen. Anton Stephan upon
tho results accomplished.
COMPANIES A, B and c. 121st En-
gineers. will occupy the camp for
the peXt two weeks. Lieut.. Roy W.
Reese is in command of Company A,
Capt. John r. Kahn. Company B, and
Capt. Harry E. Gladman. Company c.