Evening star., 1940-05-26

the District National Guard reports
that no definite information has
been forthcoming from the War De-
partment as to the plans for the
summer training, it has, however.
last week notified all members to
make arrangements for training in
August. The notice says that it is
anticipated" that there will be
three weeks of maneuvers and that
they probably will begin on Au-
gust 4.
The personnel has been instructed
to make plans with their civilian
employers to take leave in order
that they will be prepared for the
field service, which, it is expected,
will take place in Northern New
York State in the vicinity of Pine
Camp. The uncertainty at this
time, 1t was indicated, was due to
the fact that the Army appropria-
ton bill, containing the funds has
not become law. Until that detail is
completed, definite orders cannot
be issued by the War Department.
In any event, it is expected that the
troops will have three weeks in the
field as they did during the current
fiscal year, but 1t may be at base
camps.
There is belief, however, that
the funds will receive congressional
approval, because of the menacing
situation in Europe, and the fact
that the United States Military au-
thorities are cognizant that the
Regular Army and the National
Guard have not had the advantage
OF large scale maneuvers. The ma
neuvers will be much more than
the usual summer camp hardening
process. and is intended to. train
both officers and men In co-ordi-
mating their activities with other
branches Of the service, as would
be expected of them in time of war.
1t is expected all of the local
troops, except the 372d Infantry,
will be taken into the maneuvers.
Orders were issued for Company A,
372d Infantry, and the Medical De-
partment detachment of that unit to
take it's annual field training from
July to 81. at Camp Albert c..
Ritchie, Cascade, Md. The matter
Of transportation to the northern
maneuvers has not yet been planned,
but, tentatively, it was said, the
motorized units, the 260th Regi-
ment of Coast Artillery and the
l04th Quartermaster Regiment, will
make the long trek over the high
ways, while the other troops will be
moved by train to the theater of
operations. The other organizations
not being motorized units, it was
said that there is not enough motor
equipment available to transport
them to the scene in motor trucks
Whether the equipment that they
have, such as reconnaissance cars,
and the like, will be taken to the
scene for field operations is later to
be determined, although it is ex-
pected that they will be carried as
the troops are to act on a war time
basis.
The coast artillery regiment is be-
ing thoroughly modernized for the
war games, additional equipment
having been allocated to it during
the week. A detail from this regi-
ment was dispatched by Col. Walter
w. Burns, its commander, to Camp
Holabird, Md, last week to bring
back considerable additional motor
equipment. While this is intended
primarily as replacement for the old
motor Equipment, it was indicated
that the latter would be retained by
the regiment, at least until after the
maneuvers. A number of modern
searchlights to be used in the anti
aircraft work during the maneuvers
already has been received, and both
officers and men are spending con-
siderable time in familiarizing them
selves with it; so as to be in the
prime of condition for the approach
ing field operations. whether at Pine
Camp or at Fort Story, Va. where
the unit usually holds its field train
ing.
Only the most active men of the
guard, that is those who attend reg
ularly at the drills to keep up with
the latest plans for the field service,
will be taken into the field. All of
the units. are striving to fill their
ranks with new blood. There are still
nearly 300 men needed, and it is
hoped that those interested will en-
list within short time, so as to have
considerable Army training before
taking the field. There is no dispo-
sition to take to the field this year
with large groups of men who en-
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