Evening star., 1935-10-06
Many Communications
Received by DC. Guard
Reports of Regular Army Officers on Recent
Field Training Praise Many
of the Units.

III ANY commentators were re-
MI ceived by the various units
VI of the National Guard Of the
District of Columbia during
their recent encampment. The num-
Der of concentrations indicates that
the personnel lost none OF its esprit
through disappointment over the fact
they were not allowed to participate
In the Army maneuvers as divisional
unit. because of the action of the
health authorities of Pennsylvania in
prohibiting their entrance into the
State on account Of the spread Of
3nfantile paralysis in Virginia.
However, there is hope among the
officers of the divisional and regi-
mental troops here that the division
maneuvers will be repeated as a part
OF next years training program. If
disease had not appeared to prevent
the plans 1t would have been the first
time that the 29th National Guard
Division had been assembled In the
field in one area since it was organ
lied and elaborate plans had been
made for its field operations, which
would have been a real test of its
ability to function as division.
1t was pointed out that in view OF
the fact that they were prevented this
year from carrying out the program
that efforts should not be started to
have the maneuvers repeated this
year. The funds for the operations
for this years maneuvers were in part
to come from a fund established for
the maneuvers of the First Army the
remainder being taken from the regu-
lar training camp funds allotted the
various State militias which were to
take part. In view of the fact that
this money was not used for trans
portation and other field facilities, it
was pointed out that efforts should be
made to have the Army seek its re-
appropriation for next year so that
the division may be called into the
field for its divisional work.
While the 29th Division, which is
composed of the militia of this city,
the States of Maryland and Virginia
and a portion of the troops IN Penn
sylvania, has been functioning on pa
per since it was organized subsequent
to the World War, it has never had
an opportunity to actually function
in the field. Several times during
each year the staff officers of the di-
vision are called to various points for
division conferences and for the prac-
tice of war games on paper. There
never has been an opportunity for the
staff to function in the field with
troops operating, and, 1t was point
ed out. plan to have them in the
field next year would show just how
the organization built up on paper
would function.
The concentrations received by the
various local units as a result of the
last field inspection, as given out at
headquarters here, are as follows:
The regimental commander is COM
mended for his leadership and spirit
Of cooperation.
THE regimental staff is commended
for its excellent work. The admins
trative and operations sections func-
toned exceptionally well.
Both battalion headquarters dem
onstrated marked leadership, initiative
and executive ability in handling the
various activities within their respec-
tive units. The functioning Of the
I'd Battalion headquarters was out
standing.
The messes of the Headquarters
and Service Company and Companies
3, c, D and E we're rated very good.
The mess Of Company F was out
standing.
AN attendance of 100 per cent Of
the personnel of Company D and the
Medical Department Detachment at
camp is highly commendable.
The areas of Companies B and c
and the Medical Detachment were
very good The area of Company D,
including the orderly and supply tents,
were outstanding.
1.-The appearance and dress of the
officers of the regiment was very good.
The condition Of uniforms Of Com
pany c and Medical Detachment was
very good.
THE condition of individual equip
ment Of the Band, Medical Detach-
ment and Companies E and F was
very good. The rifles Of Company F
were excellent.
THE condition of unit equipment
of Companies B and D was excellent
The records of Company F were excel
lent.
THE band was rated excellent in
the following subjects: Military cour-
tesies, chemical warfare, first aid and
personal hygiene, and band drills and
formations.
The Medical Detachment instruc-
ton In military courteSies, tent pitch
ing, display of equipment, chemical
warfare, anti-aircraft. personal hy-
giene and first aid, and medical de-
tachment drills, excellent.
THE training of Company A in
chemical warfare and explosives and
demolitions Swas excellent.
'The training of Company B in
equipment, very good; scouting and
patrolling nomenclature, explosives
and demolitions, chemical warfare,
anti aircraft, field Notifications,
bridges, camouf1age, and first aid and
personal hygiene, excellent.
"The training of Company G in
military courtesies and explosives and
demolitions very good; nomenclature,
personal hygiene and first aid, chem
lcal warfare. anti-aircraft. scouting
and patrolling, extended order drill.
roads. bridges, field fortifcations and
camouhage, excellent
THE training Of Company D in
military courtesies, tent pitching. ex-
plosives and demolitions, field fortifi-
cations extended order drill very