Evening star., 1939-12-03
Officers Find More Equipment
Needed for Winter Field Service
Guard Personnel Finds Boarded
Tents Give Little Protection

Whatever else may have been
learned by the troops, which are
taking the new winter training pro-
gram In the field as required by the
National Guard Bureau of the War
Department, they certainly will not
forget that 1t takes at least five
blankets to keep well thawed out.
Those who went over with the 29th
Division Headquarters from this
city, spending a week at Fort George
G. Meade, say that they did not
get warm until 1t was about time for
the camp to break up, and then it
was only through the accumulation
Of sufficient blankets, bathrobes and
other material to pile on the hunks
IN the tented homes. Although these
were boarded up to some extent and
had tent stoves, nevertheless 1t was
said that the early morning hours
cold proved everything except con-
duciveness to sleep.
During the first three days in
camp there was rain and snow, but
the Signal Corps unit laid out their
lines in accordance with the pro-
gram. The officers went out on re-
connaissances to survey the terrain
and obtain necessary information,
but instead Of going to tents In
the sectors assigned them, returned
to the headquarters in camp to work
out their data. While this was said
not to be the way 1t would have been
done had favorable weather been
their lot, nevertheless 1t worked out
very we'll and the officers and men
obtained some very valuable train
ing. When the weather cleared and
plans were discussed for carrying
out the program In the manner it
would be carried out in the field
under service conditions, 1t was too
late In the week, as the Signal Corps
units had to have time to take their
equipment and get on the march for
their home stations, as the regula-
tions require that they travel only
during daylight.
Officers said that this service
served to give the men a better idea
of how to take care of themselves in
the field during winter conditions.
The officers had only for the highest
Of praise for the regular officers at
Fort George G. Meade, where the
training camp was set up for the
material aid which was given them
to help in making them as comfort
able as possible.
Maj. Walter S. Welsh and Capt.
Hugh Everett, jr., assigned to the
State staff of the local Guard, were
reassigned at Fort Meade to fill
vacancies on the staff of the 58th
Infantry Brigade of the 29th Divi-
sion, to fill vacancies caused by alb
sences of officers from the COM
mand.
Company A, 372d Infantry. and
the 104th Ordnance Company, both
District units, were in the field last
weeN taking their winter training.
Plans are being made by Col. Wal
ter w. Burns, commanding the
260th Regiment of Coast Artillery,
to take that command in the field
this week end. The regiment will
take it's training in three takes, us
ing the first three week ends in De-
cember, but Col Burns has decided
to make the most out of the train
ing, present plans providing for the
troops to have two full days in
camp. Instructions have been is
sued for the command to have its
regular drill night on Fridays pre-
ceding the weekend maneuver pc
RODS, and during this drill period
will leave it's armory and proceed to
Fort Meade, so as to be ready to
start the training early on Saturday
morning.
Col. Burns has issued orders to
unit commanders instructing them
to poll the personnel to ascertain
how many will be able to get leave
in order to take the field training.
each week end. This will enable