Greenbelt cooperator., 1942-04-24

this new reserve militia to
I'd State Guard available. A
llready drilling and learning
lille Armory Tuesday nights.
Bates Has Applications
Harry A. Bates has been desig-
mated by S. H. Harvey, chairman
of the Organizational Committee
Reserve Militia for the Southern
Maryland District, to begin or
ganization of Greenbelters into
local squad, platoon or company.
Both the Gun Club and the local
American Legion Post have indi-
Gated interest in the enterprise.
Leon Benefiel, Harold Estes and
Robert Gray have been appointed
as a special committee to study
the plan for Legionnaires here.
Training of the Minute Men will
avoid close order drill and the
manuel of arms, concentrating
rather on such guerilla tactis as
the tablishment of effective
cross fire, how to take cover,
enemy harassment, and anti-par-
achute fire. In his General Order
Governor O'Conor stresses the OBJ
ject of training for increased com
munity protection only, and point
ed out that the Minute Men are
to be used solely in their home
areas.
Protection Important Here
Pntno N nIonnrnor tho
groundwork with his neighbors,
has pointed out both the impor-
tance of having Greenbelters form
a reserve militia company and
the advantages the local company
would have over others in the
state. The presence of Schrom's
airield, and Greenbelt's peculiar
location in relation to the capital
in Washington, the Baltimore in
dustrial area, and nearby military
establishments give warning that
any possible invasion attempt OF
major sabotage effort would en-
danger local residents.
With the Auditorium for indoor
drill and lecture, the athletic field
and broad parkways for outdoor
drill, the rifle range, and wooded
country for deployment practice
Greenbelt offers an ideal setting
for Minute Men. Mr.. Bates, as en-
ecutive officer of the Gun Club,
promised that the range and other
facilities of the Club would be
placed at the disposal of any local
unit. An ammunition survey has
just been completed by the Club
as part of the plans for the coming
season.
Guns Will Be Furnished
Present plans call for uniforms,
guns and ammunition to be fur
nished to companies who have
completed organization and GER
tain preliminary training. The
Governors order called for the
forming of companies of so or
more in each important commun-
ity of the state. A captain and
one lieutenant will be commission
ed for each company, together
with an additional lieutenant at
later date. Each company will be
made up of four squads organized
AhCN b"O pA1IOOhO. NLCCItDClJ1 WIFI
the rest of southern Maryland, is
in the 9th Battalion Area.
Retired officers of the Regular
Army, Navy, Marines, and the Ma
tional Guard will assist in the
training program. Active officers
of the Guard are also helping.
Enlistment will be limited to
the duration of the present emer-
gency. In a statement of April 1G
Governor O'Conor said the Minute
Men of Maryland were mot to be
called for routine guard duty but
will only be called to active duty
when actual general disorder, pos
tive efforts at sabotage or visible
threat of invasion are at hand"
This new militia reserve will be
regarded as support troops made up
of civilians who must continue
their regular employment and nor
NAL home life while preparing to
combat actual military or Fifth
Column threats.
Applicants can obtain blanks or
further information from Mr..
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