Evening star., 1924-08-14
ENGINEERS TAUGHT
TO BUILD TRENCHES
Guardsmen Hear of Methods
Used to Protect Infantry
in World War.
By a StaH Correspondent.

By StaH Correspondent.
FORT HCMPHRIES. Va. August
t4.-Engineering instruction for the
infantry in the field was participated
in by the 12lst Regiment of En-
gineers, District of Columbia Nation
al Guard. in the two weeks training
encampment here today. The troops
were marched out into the brush-in-
tested section of this post early today
and they were shown how to con-
struct trenches. which could be used
by troops for long periods.
Maj. w. f.. Il. Covell, United States
Army, assigned to the District Guard
as Instructor, gave the men COM
prehensive lecture on trench building.
He explained in detail the reason,
from an engineering standpoint. why
the trenches Were built a certain
way. the engineering necessity of re-
tanning the earth walls and the mill
tary necessity of preventing the
enemy flank fire raking the trenches
We're explained TO them. Maj. Covell
Iunctuated his lecture with a num-
Der of stories of conditions that were
met in France He told the troops
that it was the function of the engi-
neers to help the infantry in every
possible way.
Little Change in War.
The necessity of using the material
at hand. such as trees. vines and
other earth retainers. Were pointed
out to them. and Maj. Covell ex-
planned that many such retainers had
come up from the fighting periods of
the early centuries, showing the
method of warfare had not changed
much. On the other hand, the troops
showed that they had been. suffi-
Il he NV
their own officers when they promptly
answered many engineering ques-
tions put to them by Maj. Covell.
Preparations We're being made
today by Col John w. Oehmann,
commanding the 121st Engineers. to
send detachment to the engineer
rifle range. about miles from here.
beginning next week. The firing on
the range will be in charge of Mai.
Julius S. Oliff and Lieut.. Dunn. 1t is
the purpose of Col. Oehmann to
have every man in the regiment who
has never been on rifle range fire
during this period.
Officers to Ride.
Some interesting display of acrobatic
stunts is expected on the parade
ground this afternoon when all of the
ofhcers Will be required to take les
sons in horsemanship. Horses will
be provided by the Calvary detach-
ment at this post. Not a few of the
officers have ridden before and are
somewhat doubtful of their ability to
remain in the saddle after having
observed some of the antics of the
horses during the few days they have
been in camp.
Ihe members of the 121st regiment
Will be hosts tonight at an entertain
ment and dance given at the Service
HIh ha RI 1~
are under the direction of Chaplain
"A. l.. Smith. The talent will be fur
nIshed by members of the regiment
and some of it by the Washington
Y. NJ. c. A. The orchestra of the
121st Regiment Band will furnish
music for the dancing.
Chaplain P. o. Wilcox, United States
Army, who has been detached from
his post and ordered to Honolulu was
the guest of honor at a smoker given
by George Spau!ding Post. Veterans
of Foreign Wars, at the post chapel
here last night. Other guests were
Col. Oehmann, Capt. E. G. Grove, DIR.
u. A. White, Chaplain A. L. Smith
and Regimental Quartermaster Sergt.
H. H. Meares.
Value of Guard.
Col. Oehmann, when called upon
by Capt. r. A. Laird. commanding
the 18th United States Engineers,
spoke most highly of the co-opera-
tion given the District unit in camp
here by the regulars at this post
He stressed the Importance of the
National Guard in the plan for the
national defense of the country, and
the belief they would always be an
important adjunct to the Regular
Army in time of war
Chaplain Smith of the District Ma
ttonal Guard has been designated as
post chaplain here taking the place
of Chaplain Wilcox of the United
States Army, who is leaving tomor-
row.
1t was announced that Chaplain
Smith has obtained the services of
Rev. Franklin l. Winter, assistant
pastor of the First Congregational
Church. Washington. to preach here
Sunday. Col. John T. Axton, chief of
chaplains, United States Army, is to
preach here August "a at IL am.