Evening star., 1924-08-15
.121ST ENGINEERS
WIN HIGH PRAISE
Build Pontoon Bridge With
Speed of Regulars, CON-
mander Says.
By a Staf CORRESPONDENT. [.

BY STAN Correspondent
FORT HUMPHREYS, Va, August
15.-Every day in camp here brings
more praise for the 121st Regiment
Of Engineers. National Guard of the
District of Columbia. taking its an
nual two-week field training here,
from the Regular Army officers as
signed to the unit as instructors.
Companies B and E were engaged
all the morning in the construction
Of heavy pontoon bridge across
Gunston Cove, a tributary OF the Po-
tomac, and upon completion Capt. H.
H Pohl, United States Army, said
that the District troops had per-
formed the operation with the speed
Of regulars.
They showed that they had been
we'll trained. and each unit assigned
to a different task was ready for its
work when the task ahead of them
had been completed. The pontoons
were run out and the cross-beams
and floors laid promptly, and by the
time one section was completed, an
other boat was ioated into place
ready to take the next span.
Prepare for Next Week.
Other sections Of the regiment
were given instruction in demolition.
preparatory to the use next week OF
explosives for the destruction of their
construction work. This is to illus
trate that 1t is the function of the
engineers to destroy roads and
bridges and other lines Of communi-
cations to impede pursuing troops. as
we'll as to construct them for the
easy advance Of their own troops
The headquarters and service COM
pany, commanded by Capt. Sidney
Morgan, was engaged in preparing a
pack train for the march.
Enlisted men Of the regiment who
will fire on the rifle range next week
today are being selected by the COM
pany commanders. The lists will be
sent to headquarters and Col John
w. Oehmann, commanding the regi-
ment, will select details which will be
sent each day for this work. The
range is about seven miles from the
camp.
Company d Wins.
Company D took off the honors to-
day in sanitation, when Capt. Bolton,
camp sanitary officer, gave them the
highest mark for clean and sanitary
quarters, kitchens and mess halls.
This outfit is commanded by Capt. T.
A. Lane, who also took off first hon
ors in the solution of war problem
assigned them by Maj. w. E. r. Covell,
United States Army, senior instructor
with the organization.
The engineering program will be
dropped this afternoon and the regi-
ment sent out as combat troops They
will operate in the camp for training
in patrolling and scouting. The Of
ficers will have saber drill.
The officers of the regiment were
put through their first drill in horse
manship yesterday afternoon, and
they took to the saddles very we'll.
No casualties were reported.
Dance II Feature.
Last night an entertainment and
dance was given at the post under
the direction of Chaplain A. L. Smith.
121st Engineers, who also has been
detailed a post chaplain to relieve
Chaplain Wilcox, who left today for
his next post in Honolulu. There
was some talent from Washington and
| some from the regiment Music was
furnished by the orchestra of the
12lst Engineers Band. There were q
large number Of the relatives and
friends of the District soldiers in
camp for this event and for the
parade and review yesterday after
| noon.
Col. Oehmann plans this afternoon
to parade the regiment in review ir
honor OF Col. Woodruff, U. 8. A., COM
manding this post.