Evening star., 1924-08-13
121ST ENGINEERS
WIN HIGH PRAISE
Winter Indoor Training So
Efficient Camp Work De.
voted to Field Operations.
BY 4 Stan Correspondent.

FORT HUMPHREYS. Va. August
13.-Praise for the efficiency of the
armory instruction of the 121st Regi-
ment of Engineers. National Guard of
the District of Columbia, taking their
annual training in camp here. was
contained today in a recommendation
for a modification OF the drill schedule
originally outlined for this encamp-
ment.
Half of the time provided in the
original schedule was given over to
instruction In close order drill and
military courtesy and the other half
to engineering duties, such as the con-
struction of bridges and fortifications
and their demolition.
Field Training Favored.
Maj w. E. r. Covell. U. S. A, in
spectorinstructor, assigned to the
District outfit, after observing the
drills during the first couple of days
Of the encampment. decided that they
were so highly trained in close order
work as a result of their activities
during the Winter, that they really
did not need it in camp, but that
better results for both officers and
men could be had giving more time
to strictly engineering training in
the field.
After a consultation with Col. John
trict Engineer Regiment, and with
Maj. l.. c. Brinton, L. $. A., senior
instructor attached to the District
National Guard, it was decided to ask
the headquarters of the Sd Corps
Area. at Baltimore, for authority to
modify the original schedule in ac-
cordance with plans mapped out by
Maj. Covell.
Bridge Work Praixed.
All morning the District regiment
spent several miles from their quar-
ters erecting pontoon bridges on
Gunston Cove and the construction
OF heavy trestle bridge of sufficient
strength to support a division OF
troops on march. over one of the
deep ravines in this camp. The work
of the District troops was highly
complimented by the regular officers
assigned with them, and in particular
the work of Lieut.. J. c. Jensen of
Company D. who was engaged with
detail of the company in erecting
a trestle bridge
The troops were working in widely
separated parts Of this camp, which
covers approximately 1900 acres
Col. Oehmann together with Maj.
Brinton. Maj. Covelland, Lieut.. Col.
Harry Gladman, the latter second in
command OF the 12lSt Engineers,
made a tour of the various points where
the troops were working, and all ex-
pressed themselves as much pleased
with the progress being made in the
training work.
Gas Mask Drill Planned.
After the troops had been recalled
from drill, Col. Oehmann assembled all
OF the officers of the regiment at head
quarters and instructed them to have
ready for use the gas masks which had
been given to the various companies.
These will be used in drill later in
the week He also admonished the Of
hcers that their company property ac-
counts must be Strengthened out before
the end of the encampment, or their pay
checks for this period would be held
up until the accounts were approved
The athletic meet scheduled for this
afternoon has been postponed on ac-
count of the condition Of the field, ac-
cording to an announcement made by
Chaplain Smith. However, there win be
double-header base ball game. the
first between teams representing Com
panies A and B and the second between
teams representing Companies C and D.