Evening star., 1943-03-05
'B|itz' Course Tests
Soldier Reactions 10
Front Line Dangers
Problems of Practical
Warfare Reveal Speed
Of Thinking, Action
Bv the Associated Press

BY the Associated Press
WITH A UNITED STATES IN
PANTRY UNIT IN ENGLAND de
layed On this infantry units rug.
ged "blitz' obstacle course, where
surprisingly human-acting dummies
represent the enemy, Johnny Dough
boy is getting taste of what to ex-
pect in actual combat.
The course was designed to test
the soldiers reaction to attack from
unexpected quarters by a battalion
headquarters outfit under SeCOnC
1t. John w. Hirschmann of Mil
Waukee. On it men must winC
through thickly wooded paths, uF
and down slippery, muddy slopes
across streams bridged by slender
logs, over and under barbed wire en-
tanglements and over difficult los
barriers.
Dummies representing enemy ma
chlnes-gunners and snipers and op-
Grated by pulleys and wires are en-
countered in the most unlocked fol
places.
Must Use Right Weapon.
The soldier must use the appro-
pirate weapon almost instinctively
He just can't stand there in amaze
ment wondering what to do. He
must know right now whether the
situation demands the use of {
rifle, bayonet or a hand grenade.
The grenades Johnny carries art
minus powder but the fuse is in
tact.
All through the course the charg
ing infantryman is fired on with
blank ammunition. He also mus
constantly be on guard agains
BOBBY traps.
Describing some of the Difficult
situations the soldier encounter
through the course, 1t. Hirschmanl
said:
First he crosses a stream bridget
by log. Hallway across he is free
on. He might want to turn bacl
but he can't. If he tried to chang,
course he would either get cole
bath Or become dead pigeon HI
must continue over. drop behind the
first cover available and return the
fire.
Death by Bayonet.
After firing he runs to the spot
he thinks the enemy is hidden anc
finishes him off with his bayonet
Then he moves on down a wooded
path. Before he advances far HI
hears a klaxon warning him he
under machine-gun fire. He drop
into a nearby hole, learns where thu
fire is coming from and tosses
hand grenade into the enemy nest
Then he gets up and CONTINUES
down the path. He runs into barbed
wire fences. Just as he gets one les
over he is fired on. He must keeI
going over the fence and head fol
cover.
Down the path he is surprised by
an enemy rif1eman popping ou
from behind tree. He bayonet
him. Farther along he sees a bill
fold, a piece of equipment Or some
sort OF trinket lying in the path
He knows he shouldn't pick it VI
but curiosity gets the better of him
He lifts the object.
'Ker bang! 1t turns out to be {
BOBBY trap. He is dumbfounded fol
a few seconds, but RECEIVERS hi.
senses and pushes on to a log OBJ.
stacle at the base of a slope.
"A sniper fires at him as he crawl.
over the logs. He keeps right or
climbing, takes cover behind a tree
and returns the fire. Dead enem,
snipers tumble down the hill. Fig.
uring he is clear he starts up the
slope, but right then another enemy
comes rushing at him on pully
wire. He engages him with bay.
onet. Fired on again as he near.
the top of the slope, he tozses
grenade to neutralize the nest.
Barbed Wire Next.
His next obstacle is barbed -wir,
ENHANCEMENT. He starts to WORK
his way through the strands, If hi
makes too much noise he will attrac
machine-gun fire. If he does, hi
must keep right on going through
pick cover and toss a grenade.
Climax of the course comes wher
he encounters an enemy rifemar
sitting under a tree. He quickly
labs the enemy with his bayonet
| but just as he does another enemy
rlt1eman drops down on him from
up in tree and almost knocks hin
of his feet. He has to be quick tt
get him with bayonet."
The unit which designed and con-
structed the course includes Sergt
Rufas G. Thompson. Jessup, Md.
Corpls. John r. Breegle, Elizabeth
Pa; Arthur F.. Schmunk. Pittsburgh
and Ollie C. Ridgley, Ellicott City
Md, and Pvts. Rudolph Somes, Ellis.
worth, Me: Joseph Hustick, Indiar
Head, Ga; Ben Jones, Dudley, Pa.
Fred Morus. Worcester, Mass: Carrie
Presson, Pageland, S. c.; Lower
Morrison, Newport News, Va: JOSEPH
Hysock, Shaft, Pa; Frank Thomp-
son, New York City; Charles Peoples
Tidesville, Pa; Michael Bogtos
Briar Hill, Pa; Frank Schuler, Chi.
cago; Phillip Messere. Franklin
Mass. Edward Zimmerman. Sarah
Pa. Henry O. Talbot. French Creek
w, Va, and Ralph Wilm of North