Evening star., 1938-03-27
Guard Artillery to Conduct
Drills IN East. Potomac Park
Public Viii Be Able to See Militia
Gu''ners Track Airplanes From
Army and Naval Stations.

East POtOmac Park IN the vicinity
of Hams Point will be transformed
into military area and the public
which uses it on Sundays will have
an opportunity to see now intricate
instruments are used to track air.
planes and Use it rs basis for in
formation to the anti-aircraft gunners.
The 260th Coast Artillery has been
authorized by the National Capital
Parks Service to use the area on Sum-
days during the next two months for
setting up the necessary paraphernalia
and training the members in becoming
efficient in their duties, which they
will have an opportunity to transform
into realistic practice during their
annual encampment at Fort Story,
near Virginia Beach, Va.
1t was explained at Guard head
quarters that Hams Point was desir-
able more than any other place, be-
cause it is in close proximity to the
landing fields and areas of both the
Army's Boiling Field and the Navy's
Anacostia Air Station. Planes enter
ing and leaving those bases will be
used by the men in testing their eff
cheney in the use of the instruments
which are intended to note the ap-
proach OF planes and give information
which will enable them to figure up
information Of great value to the men
at gun emplacements.
Guns crews will be stationed at
strategic points. so that the work Of
the men on Hams Point may be made
as realistic as possible. giving them
some of the practical side of the work
to support that Of the theory which
they have been taking in their armory
during the winter months. Both
radio and wire will be used in the
transmittal Of the base information
obtained by the crews working in Po-
tomac Park to the gun crews and
searchlight crews working in other
areas about the District and Virginia,
Col. John w. Oehmann, command
ing the local militia. has received a
request from Maj Edwin S. Bettel-
helm, adjutant general of the Mill
tary Order of the World War, that the
local militia units participate in the
Army Day parade. Col Oehmann also
was asked 10 serve as marshal of the
I'd Division.
While no action has been taken on
the request, it is probable that the
local militia head will accept the in
vitation. In the event that acceptance
is made. Maj. Bethlehem has re-
quested the local militia include with
its marching units as many of the
large guns and other equipment as
possible in the parade formation.
Tuesday will mark the end of the
annual inspections of the local units.
All OF the infantry and engineer tests
have been completed by Regular Army
officers. Last Monday the Coast Ar
tillery began its tests. No indication
has been given by the heads of any
OF the units, or by headquarters. as
to how the units compared in their
tests this year with those of last year.
Guard units have been called upon
to search their files and quarters for
any photographs showing any of the
activities of the various units. either
in the armory or in the field. The
National Guard Bureau has asked for
such pictures, with the stipulation
that they should be in before May l.
The Federal bureau does not want
posed pictures, but action pictures.
preferably taken without the knowledge
OF the participants 1t is believed they
might be wanted for some exhibit.
Officers of the 29th Division Staff
last week received the second and
third phases of the general problem
which they have inaugurated under
the training program of the Army
headquarters at Baltimore. The first
phase has been completed. and it is
understood received favorable men,
ton from the Regular Army officials.
Both OF new phases, it was said,
were sent at the same time so that
the officers can be fully acquainted
with the matter, SO that they can be
discussed at the assembly of the divi-
sion staff at Baltimore on March 90
AT that time Maj. Gen. Milton A.
Reckord. commanding the Maryland
National Guard and the 29th Divi-
sion. will be present, together with
Regular officers from the Sd Army
Corps Headquarters. It was said they