Evening star., 1951-07-09
D. T.. Guardsmen Start
Stiff Training Program
Al Posts in Delaware
By WiIIiom J. WheotIey
Stor Stoff CORRESPONDENT

District National Guardsmer
jumped out of their hunks here
to the racuous sound of the bugle's
yeveille at 6 o'clock this morning
They went almost Immediately
into their first camp routine with
morning calisthenics which, for
many of them, brought muscles
into play that hadn't been used
since last year. But that was the
heaviest of the exercises which
faced them today.
Organizational activities will
consume the time of most of the
units for the remainder of the day
One contingent of the Districts
citizen soldiers is training at this
Delaware army post while another
is at Bethany Beach, 20 miles
away.
Both are commanded by Brig
Gen. William H. Abendroth, COM
mander of the District guard. He
also has been placed in command
of other guard units here includ-
ing Ohio and Virginia organiza-
tions.
Gums Tro o%ops nnI,ynI
The 340th Anti-Aircraft Gun
Battalion, commanded by 1t. Col
. Charles v. Selwyn, is stationed
at Bethany Beach, while the
Headquarters Detachment ano
104th Ordinance Maintenance
Company are stationed at this
post on Cape Henlopen.
The gun battalion is using the
day in planning its training
schedule. Delay in the arrival OF
its big guns and tractors pre-
vented the men from setting them
up on the firing line today.
This heavy equipment was dis
patched by rail and now is re-
ported due to arrive tomorrow
morning at Dagsboro. The artil-
lery men will unload it and move
it to the Ocean Beach. about 3
miles from their base camp,
where it will be set up for target
practice during the remainder of
the camp.
This will be the first experience
which the personnel of this bat
talon will have with firing 80 nm.
anti-aircraft artillery. The unit
was formerly a small, automatic
weapons organization which was
converted while in camp here last
year to a big gun outfit. The
change was made, it was reported,
to prepare for a part of the anti
air defense force of the National
Capital in the event of an enemy
attack.
Plan Stiff Training.
Plans have been made for press
ing the training here at a more
vigorous rate than has been the
practice heretofore because of the
possibility that these units may
be called into Federal service at
any time.
In addition to the usual day
training in the field, 1t. Col.
Robert F. Cocklin, chief of staff,
has planned a series of night
schools. The intensive schedule
will take most of the mems waking
hours, leaving little time for rec
reation at nearby resorts.
Gen. Abendroth planned to call
an officers conference at head
quarters today to outline the pro-
gram and to tell the officers what
is expected of them during the
two weeks they will be here.
The trip of the three motor con-
voyS which brought the troops
down yesterday was uneventful,
with only one slight breakdown.
The conveys arrived at their camp
sites shortly after noon and un-
loaded equipment.
Difficulties at Mess.
There were some food difficult
ties at the evening mess yester-
day and the morning mess today
Officers explained that this was
due to the fact that new men from
the Regular Army had been as
signed to the organization for
mess duties and they had not set
tied down in their regular routine
These are expected to be ironed
out during the day.
Camp assignments were an
nounced by Gen. Abendroth today
They include the following as
sistant chiefs of staff: Capt. Will
liam R. Mccall. air; Maj. George
j. Morey, camp adjutant; Maj
Claiborne A. Mobley, intelligence;
Maj. Allan G. Crist, personnel;
Maj. Paul K. Bailey, supply; Col
Samuel r. Taggart, surgeon; 1st
1t. Thomas Baxter, assistant ad-
jutant general; Maj. Vernon B
Vaden, provost marshal; Maj. Ed
mund F. Kennedy, transportation
officer; 1st 1t. Harvey D. Hill
athletic and recreation officer; 1st
1t. Edwin C. Eads, aide-de-camp;
I'd 1t. Howard K. Daniels, signal
officer; Capt. James H. Brooks
chaplain.
Mrs. Moedeburger to Talk