Evening star., 1936-08-19
GUARD TO ENGAGE
IN SECOND BATTLE
Division Moves Out for Last
of Overnight Tactical
ManeuVerS.
BY WILLIAM S. TARvER,

Refreshed by nights sleep at the
permanent camp here after strenu-
GUS SO hours spent in the field, the
29th National Guard Division moved
out again today for the second and
last of its overnight tactical maneu-
vers.
Because of the strain of the last
two days Maj. Gen. Milton Al Reckord,
commanding, permitted all the 5000
officers and men to travel by motor
to the position on the east bank OF
Swatara Greek, from which they will
attack a mythical Red" force occu-
pying approximately the same ground
as this encampment.
Northerners during the defensive
problem Monday and yesterday, the
Guardsmen today found themselves
turned about and constituting COM
bat force of the more southern of the
two small states presumably at war.
According to the special situation,
the division marched north through
Lebanon Monday and bivouacked yes
terday between Fredericksburg and
Lickdale. Meanwhile, the Blue Army.
of which it was part, continued to
concentrate at Lancaster to resist in
vasion of Red Army assembling
north of Blue Mountain.
Exit Covered by Artillery.
The mission of the 29th to block
swatara Gap and prevent the de-
bouchment of the Red forces into
the valley already had been ac-
complished Road and rail communi-
cations through the gap were destroyed
and the exit of the gap covered with
Artillery.
A Red force, estimated to be one
half to two-thirds the strength OF
the 29th, succeeded, however, in
marching south through Indiantown
Gap, west of Swatara. and occupying
defensive position facing eastward
toward Swatara Creek.
At pm. today, Gen. Reckord re-
ceived the following message from the
Blue Army Corps commander:
Reliably informed that strong
Red force of infantry and artillery
moving on Swatara Gap is now
marching on Indiantown Gap. Lead
ing elements cannot reach Gap be-
fore pm, goth. Attack Reds west
Of Swatara Greek, driving them to the
southwest and prevent debouchment
of Reds from Indiantown Gap and
Swatara Gap until arrival of re-
Inducements on August 81"
Gen. Records orders to his unit
commanders call for crossing of the
stream under cover of darkness and
an attack at daybreak tomorrow, with
the 91st Virginia Infantry brigade on
the right enveloping the hostile left
flank and driving the enemy to the
southwest. While the Virginians are
making their enveloping attack the
58th Maryland Infantry brigade will
attack on the division left and, after
capturing the high ground to its front
will pivot to the left and drive
abreast of the 91st toward the south.
west.
Must Erect Six Bridges.
To Washington's 121st Engineers
will fail the main task tonight. Hid
den by darkness they must throw six
fordable Swatara Greek to permit the
infantry to begin crossing at $40 am.
"All troop movements will be under
cover of darkness, in silence and
without lights" Gen. Reckord ordered.
Stealthily crossing the stream, the
two brigades are to be in position
facing the enemy at dawn. Engineers
will guide the combat troops to the
bridges and superintend their cross
ing in single file.
The I'd Battalion of the 121st, less
Company F, will assist the 91st
Brigade, and the 1st Battalion, with
Company F, will assist the 58th.
Their bridges will be built with stand
ard equipment.
Supporting the 91st Brigade will be
the 111th Field Artillery of Virginia,
while behind the 58th will be the
Maryland Field Artillery Regiment,
the 10th. The 176th Pennsylvania
Field Artillery will support the ad-
vance Of both.
Presidents Own" Arrives.
While the Guardsmen were prepar-
ing last night for today's maneuver.
the Sd Battalion, 18th Infantry, "The
Presidents Own,' arrived here from
Fort Washington, Md, under COM
mand of Lieut.. Col. James G. Ord.
The battalion is to assist in training
367 officers of the Goth Reserve Divi-
sion, which will begin two-week en-
campment Sunday.
A critique late yesterday. reviewing
the defense maneuver Monday and
yesterday, failed to disclose whether
the Blues or the Reds won the battle,
which reached climax when the
Reds, under Maj. William T. Roy of
washington, sped in armored cars
straight through the heart of the
68th Brigade. At one sharp turn in
the narrow, dusty road 75-millimeter
gun fired point-blank in the face of
the charging squadron. The blast
kpOrked Moi Pov,c hot of