Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-13
GUARDSMEN BEGIN
TRAINING ROUTINE
Work for District Units Gets
Under Way at Camp
in Maryland.


CAMP ALBERT C. RITCHIE, Cas-
cade, Md, August 13-The training Of
the 121st Engineers OF the District Ma
tional Guard here, for their two weeks
annual encampment, began in earnest
yesterday with most of the men not
detailed to the work Of putting the
camp in livable shape assigned to in
struction and practical work in rifle
craftsmanship, road. bridge and raft
building. field Notifications and DEM
clifton.
In addition approximately 70 newly
enlisted Guardsmen were placed in the
recruit school. where their work for
the next week. or until they show sum
Gent proficiency to be returned to their
company, will consist of close order
drill.
Mai. Gen. Anton Stephan, command
ing the 29th Division, and his staff
left camp by motor car this morning
at 8 o'clock for the Gettysburg Battle
field, where the terrain and troop
movements during the Civil War en-
gagement will be studied after an eX-
Chemical Warfare Service. Maj. Bond
delivered q lecture to the officers on
the same subject yesterday morning.
STAFF Conferences.
A series Of daily staff conferences
was inaugurated yesterday at the di-
vision headquarters. Every morning
Lieut.. Col. Charles B. Elliot, u. S. A,
assigned to the division headquarters
structor. is to give lecture covering
some phase of the functioning OF
division in war time.
Maj. w. D. Upton, commanding Of
ficer of the Air Service National Guard
camp at MartinSburg, w. Va, which
is part of the 10Th Division, accom-
panied by two officers of his staff, few
here yesterday morning for the staff
conference. With Maj. Upton were
Capt. G. A. Mason, recently appointed
by the Governor of Maryland ss State
aviation commissioner. and Lieut..
George Hannah. communications officer
of the Air Corps unit.
A regimental parade was held late
yesterday afternoon at retreat with
Col John w. Oehmann, commanding
officer of the Engineers, reviewing his
own troops and the two colored COM
panies which are attached to the En-
gineers for training.
Training Begun. 4
The most important Of the actual
training work undertaken yesterday was
preparation for rifle firing. The men
of B and E Companies were instructed
in sighting and aiming and the proper
firing positions. Today they were
essentials of rifle craftsmanship. To-
morrow the same two units will spend
the entire forenoon on the range in
practice firing and the next day will
fire for record, upon the outcome of
which depends each mans future status
as a marksman. The other companies
will undergo a like period Of training.
The demolitions work yesterday was
conducted under the supervision of
Lieut. George Hardin, plans and train
ing oficer Of the regiment. 1t consisted
principally in instruction Of Is enlisted
men and two from each lettered COM
pany and one from the Headquarters
and Service Company. so today and
for the rest of the period of encamp-
ment they can act as instructors in
their various units. The men are: Com
pany A. Staff Sergt. Joseph E. Butler.
second in command of the detail, and
NJ. E. Davis and Pvt. L. H. Kalhoun:
Company c, Corpl. E. o. Hamilton and
Pvt. H. G.. Bunch; Company D, Sergt.
N. o. Crater and Pvt. o. F. Wise; Com
pany E, Corpl H. D. Green and Pvt.
w. r. Dafhn; Company r, Corpl. w. E.
Horn and Pvt. William w. Tate. and
Headquarters and Service Company,
Pvt. Raymond A. Osbourn.
Rifle Instruction.
Instruction in rifle craftsmanship
was in the hands of the guard rifle
team, which will go to Camp Perry for
the national matches at the end of the
present period of training. In charge
was Capt. Justice c. Jensen, assisted
by Lieut.. Thaddeus A. Riley, team
range officer and coach. respectively.
The team itself fired yesterday on the
range and will continue its practice
every day in preparation for the ma
tional meet.
Another section of the regiment yes
terday was engaged in the construc-
ton Of a trench system which will be
left as model for Maryland Infantry
units coming to the camp next year.
Still other sections of the troops were
employed to make repairs in the roads
and drainage system and in building
bridges and RATS.
A check on the personnel in camp
Yesterday revealed total Of SO off,
GERS, one warrant of1cer and 752 en-
listed men present.