Evening star., 1936-08-09
DISTRICT MILITIA
PLANS WAR GAME
Local Guardsmen in Field
Today for Divisional Ma
neuverS This Week.

shSNsS ~ ~ INV usSSNa
approximately 5000 troops, includ-
ing about 500 officers, today are con-
centrated in a broad area centering
at Indiantown Gap. Pa, where for the
first time in their postwar militia
careers they will participate as divi-
sion troops in maneuvers and train
ing, which will last for the next
two weeks. 1t Is the first mobilization
of the 29th National Guard Division,
comprising the National Guard units
of this city, Maryland and Virginia
and a portion OF Pennsylvania, for a
field test Of the problems which they
have worked out on paper during the
years since the division was organized,
subsequent to the World War.
During the latter part Of the week
the Virginia and Maryland units were
concentrated at points in their States,
prepared for a unified march to the
theater of operations in Pennsylvania.
The majority of the Virginia units
were mobilized at Front Royal, Va,
and the Maryland units centered at
Camp Harry w. Nice at Cascade, Md.
This camp was renamed during the
week, having since its establishment
carried the name Of Camp Albert C.
Ritchie.
All during today long lines of motor
trains will be vending their way
through Maryland and Virginia toward
the center of operations and, Incl
dentally, this is the first time that
the movement Of the militia division
has been undertaken by motor train.
Every detail for the movement and
for the operation Of the division in
camp has been looked after by Mai.
Gen. Milton A. Reckord and his staff
and appropriate orders have detailed
plans for every operation Of the
troops, including the four days that
they will be in the field operating un-
der battle conditions in an attack
and defense plan.
District guardsmen spent the great
er part of the week in perfecting prep
arations for their movement to the
Indiantown Gap area. The troops
which went from here included the
l2lst Regiment of Engineers. the
104th Quartermaster Regiment, and
the division headquarters troops.
They, like the Virginia and Maryland
troops, moved into the area today, by
motor train.
All during the week giant motor
trucks were at the several armories
and storehouses loading the heavy
field paraphernalia, which will be
needed by the troops while they are
away engaging in this mimic warfare
and from the middle of the week on
the trucks were hurrying back and
field camp. The trucks had to clear
the heavy equipment and supplies
first, so that the motor equipment
would be ready to move the troops at
the appointed time.
Aside from the more serious aspects
of the training, the directors OF the
field operations have formulated elab-
crate plans for entertainment Of the
troops during their off hours in the
| field. 1t was announced by Gen. Reck-
ord that three outdoor moving picture
| theaters will be established in as many
troop areas in the field
An assistant chief of staff has been
assigned the duty of providing box
ing ring in the center camp area and
is directed to arrange for division box
ing contests on not less than two eve
nings during the encampment. In
| addition to the division events, the
ring is to be made available for regi-
mental contests. Base ball and other
athletic contests also are to be ar
| men.
1t was disclosed in orders issued last
week that the 18th Ordnance Com
pany of the Regular Army has been
detailed to duty at the camp by the
commanding general Of the Sd Corps
Area. Organization commanders have
been directed not only to avail them
selves of the services of this unit for
the repair and maintenance of all
ordnance equipment. but to give at
tention to its use for the training of
militia personnel.
AS a further means of protecting
the health of the men, in addition
to the usual health and sanitary pre-
cautions, Gen. Reckord has issued in
structionS that a special tent, heated
and ventilated, be provided in each
area for the rapid drying Of shoes
and clothing of the personnel. The
organization commanders have been
directed in this connection to organize
a delivery and drying service which
will insure each soldier of having
available dry clothing at all times.
Col. John w. Oehmann, command
ing the local militia, has announced
the appointment of a civilian rifle
team representing the District of Co.
lumbia for the purpose of attending a
small arms firing school and for par
ticipating in the national rifle matches
at Camp Perry, Ohio. during the
period from August "a to Septem-
Der IL.
The team members are to proceed
to Camp Perry in time to report to
the executive officer Of the national
matches on August "a.
The team is composed of the fol-
lowing:
Erwin A. Frye, team captain, Ana
costa, D. C. Members, Eugene A.
Ross, 1874 Quincy street; Roger w.
Scott, 3100 Connecticut avenue; Rob.
bert L. Mattingly, 1858 Tennyson
street; Raymond Davis, 1922 Perry
place; Guy w. Drewry, jr., 1898 Broad
Branch road; Robert v. Nutter, 1854
Monroe street: Joseph S. Lam, 451
Randolph street; Edward Everett, 43l9
New Hampshire avenue; Charles F.
Piozet, 1874 Park place; Samuel o.
Baldwin, 2307 Woodbridge street north
east; Everett w. Harris, Mayflower
ta1