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Show Bringhurst Writes of Experiences In Mock Battle Maneuvers By MABEL J ARMS That t h e Washington County News is appreciated by the boys who are in the training camps was again verified in a letter received re-ceived Tuesday by your correspondent corres-pondent from Gordon Bringhurst who is with the 3rd Ordinance Company M. M.. of Ft. I,ewis, Washington, now engaged in a mammoth mock battle somewhere in California. The Inter dated June 27 was posted at King City. Mr. P.ringhiirst gives in graphic detail the procedure of the encounter, en-counter, evidencing a strenuous campaign that tests the vitality and endurance of the boys who may some day, contrary to our hopes and prayers, be compelled to put into reality the lessons in tactics, scouting, foraging, camouflaging, camou-flaging, construction of temporary tempor-ary fortresses and a dozen and one other requirements that go into in-to the busino-s of wartime activities. activi-ties. Two ArmieH IJnn for Battlo Lined up as the "Red" army, which includes the 4rith division from Camp San Luis Obi-po and the 7th divi-ion from Ft. Ord. C'ai.f.. are the opposing "I:ues". rompo-' d of the .'',rd and 11-1 di-v;-ion- from Ft. Lewis, Washington. Washing-ton. With th' ir objective the cap-t cap-t ire of the H.,ntor-I.iggcit rruli-' rruli-' Con' inu'-d on page five) Mock Battle Maneuvers (Continued from first page) tary reservation, the "Red" army must drive back the "Blue" army over an area that is the equal of most any formidable looking battle ground, covering 264,000 acres. Not just an afternoon workout, but a grilling day after day, and night after night maneuvering, putting into mock use all the points of technique that goes into modern wartime instruction, is the schooling the boys in training train-ing are receiving. Scouting forays, for-ays, reconnaissance by airplanes, establishing communication lines, making contacts with separated units, with sometimes activity along an entire seven-mile front, is described in such fine detail by Mr. Bringhurst that the reader can visualize readily a kaleidoscopic kaleido-scopic picture of the procedure. "Theoretically guarding the highway", "preparing for any eventualities", "awaiting any opportunities op-portunities to 'mouse trap' the enemy" are among the phrases that tell the story of a battle being fought in as much seriousness serious-ness as if it were factual, and still a great battle where umpires control con-trol the game, where men must observe instructions and restrictions, restric-tions, where violations of orders are a serious mistake umpires who may decide "whether you are a captive or a casualty, or whether wheth-er you have succeeded in capturing captur-ing a force." Great Game "It is a great game," thinks Mr. Bringhurst, and is being played this week in mountainous country where oak brush and ravines ra-vines are hard on men but no handicap to the motorized troops who continue mass movements under un-der cover of blackout." It is not without actual hazard and many minor injuries result from overturning over-turning trucks, maneuvering under blackout conditions. The big mock battle ends Saturday, Sat-urday, then back go the boys to their respective camps for a checking up and more training. And that's the war game as the bovs are playing it today. Let us hope it may remain a training game. But should it become a reality, no question but these boys will do their stuff. |
