HomeMy WebLinkAbout1940-08-16-DEFENSE-rpt.pdf ) qr .
r F, p,_ _ r & - Lexington, Mass.
August 16, 1940
To Chairman, Executive Committee,
LEXINGTON CIVILIAN DEE'ENSE CCMMITTEE
From. Allen W Rucker, Chairman, sub-committee
on Air Defense
SUBJECT Air Defense Organization---Preliminary Steps in
Training and Recommendations to Executive Committee----No. 2
The sub-committee on Air Defense reports the following additional
moves to date
1. Survey of Personnel. To date there have been-listed
244 men of past military and naval experience. together
with their home addresses, telephone numbers and the
defense zone in which they reside. These have also bean
plotted on the Town map. The sub-committee is actively
canvassing the Town to learn the names of all ex-service
men, their past military experience and present qualifi-
cations. It is expected that we shall shortly have a
virtually complete listing, with particular attention to
men with past experience in (a) flying and (b) ground
defense against air-craft.
2. Inventory of Arms Something over 50% of those addressed
have thus far replied to our request for type and number
of fire-arms owned. Thirty-nine (39) of those replying own
no fire-arms of any nature; forty-five (45) owners: have a
total of 69 shotguns, fifty-nine rifles and 36 pistols and
revolvers The process of inventorying fire-arms is con-
tinuing.
3 ,Equipment for Training' Inquiry through the State
Adjutant General's office reveals that the Army is unable
to release even old camera-guns or machine-guns The sub-
committee expects, however, to construct one or more camera
guns for its own use.
4. Communication. To perfect laison with others committees,
the sub-committee has arranged to have Mr. Dana Norris become
a member of the Committee on Communications; employment of
Boy and Girl Scouts will thus be coordinated for their several
uses.
The sub-committee considers that a two-way radio for its F
own use is essential, though not immediately. Paul Mooney has
presented a report to the Executive Committee; we feel that
this report should have earnest attention and that it is
advisable to have such equipment on order or option so that
it may be available in event the situation becomes acute,
(2)
(Communication,continued)
Effective handling of defense activities under the conditions
prevailing makes this form of communication essential to the
Air Defense work. Mr Mooney's report shows how the system may
be coordinated with the Police Department. Our recommendations
appear below
5. Target Practice* Directors of the Minute Man Sportsmen's
Club have voted to open the rifle, pistol and skeet ranges to
any citizen of the United States on a membership basis, i. e.,
payment of a small range fee but not membership dues. That is
a fore-sighted, generous and patriotic action which it is hoped
will especially be commended by the Executive Committee. The
sub-committee is now forming practice groups for training in
fire-arms use. To provide training in shooting at moving targets
we recommend the new form of Skeet, a modified range, with
small targets on which the twenty-two calibre rifle is used.
It is found that men are more easily encouraged to take up
target practice and continue it where the target is actually
broken. Our recommendations appear below.
6. Organizational Rally- The sub-committee is tentatively I
planning a rally of all citizens eligible for the Air Defense
work, to be held Thursday, Sept. 12 in Cary Hall. It is desired
to have present then Col. Walker or other suitable officer of
the State Defense Organization. We plan to show (a) the aerial
map of the Town, (b) the several Air Defense maps on slides
and (c) actively to organize sections Our recommendations appear
below.
The sub-committee on Air Defense feels that it is now prepared
to put its organization into motion and requests or recommends the
following.
A. That the wearing of arm-bands or a distinctive badge, with ,d7/1/ >"numbers by citizens enrolled in air defense work be approved 2,3
and that the Town purchase such;
B. That the Town authorize a relatively small sum (to be given //
specifically before final approval) for the purchase of material
to make two camera-guns, together with a sum for the purchase
of 8-millimeter films, each of which makes some 1500 pictures;
C. That the Town consider providing 22-cal. ammunition for a�
target practice for beginners only at present; men now active
on the ranges purchase their own ammunition---we believe it
will encourage general use of the ranges by beginners if ammunition
can be provided without charge in the initial stages of this work.
(3)
Should developments in the immediate future suggest an immediate
emergency, we would recommend that the Town provide either by
purchase or through State sources, necessary ammunition to permit
continuous, systematic target practice by all members of the air
defense.
D. We recommend that the Town provide perhaps $75 for the installation
Of the modified skeet range previously mentioned, subject to the
willingness of the Directors of the Minute Man Sportsmen's Club
approving the installation of the range on their property. This is JA`'
the most practical, usable and least expensive method of training [B ,A
in firing at moving targets; the cost of ammunition is less than /
one-third of that necessary for regular skeet shooting, with a
proportionately less cost for targets. We believe strongly that
this type of range will more speedily give us trained marksmen
accustomed to shooting at moving targets than any other single
factor.
E. We request the Executive Committee to contact the National !�
Rifle Association, or to authorize the sub-committee to do so
in its name, with a view toward securing both regular 30-calibre
rifles and ammunition without charge for this work.
F. We recommend serious consideration of approval now (with 3,
purchase to be timed by future developments) of the two-way
radio communication system for the air defense.
G. We request authorization of the Executive Committee for the
air-defense sub-committee to contact and secure from property
owners of and adjacent to concentration points shown on the P�
Air Defense maps, pertission to conduct manuevers on their
property. The sub-committee will arrange to secure such per-
mission if authorized to do so. It is of course understood
that any manuevers will not include firing nor other activity f
which may be objectionable or illegal.
H. The sub-committee requests authorization to select and appoint 1
temporary and/or permanent section leaders to act as commanders
of its several defense groups. It is perhaps desirable that the
authority be stated as authority to nominate subject to approval
by the Executive Committee.
This committee feels that it should promptly take steps to bring
into its organization all eligible men, subject to provisions of
any Federal and State legislation with respect to military service; l
that to do so effectively makes it desirable to arrange for general
target practice along the lines described, and that such equipment
as that recommended be secured as speedily as definite figures can
be submitted and approved.
Chai Ha ', =u.—c.,JiI t ee on Air Defense