Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-14
D. c. GUARDSMEN
LOSE IN FLY FIGHT
Combat Engineers Attack
SWarn0S of Pests at Camp,
but Are Routed.
b. = STAFF corespondsa, Of The star.

b. 4 STAFF Correspondent 81 The star.
CAMP ALBERT RITCHIE, CAS-
CADE. Md. August Ii. -- Trained as
they are as combat engineers. the l2ist
Regiment Of the District of Columbia
National Guard. after suffering pierre
ing assaults for two days, made their
first real attack against the most
vicious enemy in this camp. They lost.
They were routed, and they are still
running satisfied that only gas war
fare VIII aid them
From tire moment they arrived in
camp taey base baen stprmed by
swarnas eE file& snifIfefx of hem. They
arouse them in the morning. at the
first streak Of dawn, and drive them
into the company streets before rev.
ellie. They follow them On the parade
ground for drill and force them to
fight their way to the mess tables in
the screened kitchens.
After trying minor measures to de-
feat these sticky -paper-proof flies, Capt.
William T J0vgensen assembled his
command before breakfast for an at
tack They we're armed with blankets
for sn0theTing and swatters of various
descriptions Fortified by a strong net
which covered him and from safe
distance. he ordered the command to
adsance on the kitchen They SORTED.
They returned. There were casualties.
ETes were filed with wing fragments.
The flies dropped back. banked. and
zos7TneG again. They woT
The men despairgd. The casualties
vert e the tnfrmary. The men tried
- 20 % breakfast and consumed their
food with difficulty The aordes Of flies
are causing serious worry to both Of
fceEs ard men. There are no mosqui-
toes. but the flies ere making life mis-
cradle They ere being doused with
medicinal els and the medical major
promises that The camp will Dr. free Of
the pests within few days.
AS a matter Of fact. the work Of the
troops 50 far since they entered this
mountain camp has been confined 10
efforts At cleaning up. Their bridge
building. one of the important functions
Of the engineers. has been delayed
through the failure OF material 10 ar
rive
But the men are By no means al
loved 20 remain idle. They have been
4urueo into a labor regiment Squads
Of them axe moving great boulders.
weighing hundreds Of pounds. out Of
lie com pany streets. some are grubbing
Etumps in the tented area. while others
are building concrete steps To save off,
cial dignity But the men are entering
into The spirit 0f the occasion
There's q new drum and bugie corps
attached TO the band, which was or
oered out for formal guard mount yes
terday. Chief Musician Allen Shack!e-
fO.c who has the duty Of getting the
band ready for formal exercises. 50 that
Warrant OffCeY Meyer Goldman may
step Up a. tne opISortune moment and
swing The baton. was 50 Immersed in
detailed R0rk yesterday that the band
got On the drill ground for the evening
paraee before he realized It. lie ar
rived q Eours ahead Of time for todays
parade
Ihe formal parade8 and guard
nC4ntE are attracting attention from
tne surrounding civilian population.
Many o. the officers from other units,
including Ma Gen Anton Stephan Of
Washington commanding the 29tn Ma
tlcnal Guard Division, watched the ex-
eIcisas from tne division headquarters
terrace. Company F. Capt. George w
Johns, commanding. staged the guard
mount yesterday prior ~ It's taking up
the detail q protecting the camp area
from Intrusion during the ensuing -
hours
81 INe guard Il relieved Company
{ Capt William f. Jorgensen. COM
mau6lng Lieut. MAYS u this oreanl-
zation was officer q the guard
When recall sounded yesterday aft
ernggE there Vas a rush for the tents
and the men quickly donned their bath
ing suits and vent ~ I.ake Roger, which
T. On The reservation for a swim Lieut.
George Hargln, reglnentai plans and
training officer, has been detailed BY
Col Oehmann to work up the arrnorS
Grill schedule 10 be followed after thE
troops return 70 the city. The base
ball contest for the commanding gen.
erals silver cup Wiu be started tomor.
row. when the Ist battalion and ths
medical department detachment vii
play Gen gtephan will throw pu
the first bail.