USA > Wisconsin > Racine County > Racine county in the world war > Part 26
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Tents, the same as at Camp Douglas, were provided as living quarters. Realizing that they were to remain at least sixteen weeks at this camp, the men began to make themselves as comfortable as possible. A collection was taken up in each tent, and enough money se- cured to put in wooden floors and sidewalls. This seemed like real luxury after several months with dirt floors and flappy canvas walls. The wood side walls provided a background for the installation of shelves, and the canvas habi- tats began to assume a homelike appearance.
At Camp McArthur the men became thor- oughly efficient in foot drill, the manual of arms, guard duty and other details of this kind. The officers were given a chance to se- lect permanent cannoneers and drivers by ob- serving the aptitude shown by each individual at gun drill or equitation. The gun drill was mostly simulated, with timbers representing the pieces and caissons. Each battery had about thirty horses, however, and the drivers were given a chance to become proficient in horsemanship.
It was a period of uncertainty. One day the unofficial announcement would be made that the regiment was to be motorized, and the next that it would be horse drawn. A few days later it would be changed to six inch artillery, and then would return to three inch. In order to be prepared, the men were in- structed in drill for both the three inch and six inch.
On Dec. 3 the battery had its first hike with the three inch material and horses, covering twenty-two miles. The men camped at noon, and ate their dinner by the roadside. On Dec. 7, they wore their gas masks for the first time.
More than five months after entering into service, the men fired the three inch guns for the first time, at a week's maneuvers, which were held at China Springs, about eighteen miles from camp. Each battery was given a day on the range. Battery C had its turn on Dec. 15.
Its training period completed, the regiment began preparing to move in January, 1918. The horses were turned into the remount sta- tion on January 3, and on Feb. 5 it boarded trains for Camp Merritt. While stopping over at Kansas City, Mo., for a few hours, Battery C received its first news of the sinking of the Tuscania.
At 11 o'clock Sunday night, Feb. 11, the train section containing Battery C arrived at Cresskill, N. Y., the station nearest Camp Mer- ritt. It was bitter cold and the hills were covered with ice, but trains were badly need- ed for the carrying of troops at that time, and Battery C disembarked and marched to the camp. It was after midnight when they crawled under the blankets in the wooden bar- racks, but reveille sounded at the usual early hour next morning.
Three weeks were spent at Camp Merritt, waiting for the ship which was to transport the artillery regiment and other units across the ocean. It was a pleasant three weeks, the men heing given a chance to see New York
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SECOND SECTION OF BATTERY C AS IT APPEARED AT CAMP DEVENS
Top Row-Mark Piel, Frank J. (Pat) Ililt, Carl Hansen, Frank Nowak, Earl Olson, Joe Kaiser, Soren Theisen, Arthur Huder, Chas. Macky, Geo. Brokaw, Alvin Perkins, James Anderson, Joe Thome, Peter Johnson, Gerhard Voss, John Jorgenson, Arthur Buse, Paul Kristopeit. Second-Barney Grams, Elmer Wilson, Ignatz Gabryzewski, Moses Kevockian, Fred Mandry, Fred Maxted, William Gaiser, Irving Schlevensky, Guiseppi Capaldi, David Hoyt, John Kolodziecyk, Leonard Heimes, Dionisius Demitropolos.
Third-Peter Sorenson, Geo. Bringsdahl, Lyle George, Russell Fisher, Clarence Bramow, E. Anderson, M. Roberts, D. Smith, Timothy Ryan, Sieger Nelson, J. Geyer, R. Jerstead. Fourth-Holgie Johnson, Sven Gjellerup, Edw. Brinkman, Albert Kousek, Howard Johnson, Geo. Stiglbauer, Geo. Cary, Chas. Rockie, Edward Stilb, Aug. Skow, Walter Williams. Bottom-John Bayer, Earl Kinner, Edw. Christman, Howard Haupt, Harry Herzog, Carlton Austin, Alvin Gascoigne, Wm. Swoboda, N. Thomas, Stanley Howe, Chris Sondergaard,
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and the daily routine consisting of a two hour hike in the morning and a medical examina- tion.
The battery was aroused at 4 o'clock on the morning of March 2, packed its equipment, and was taken by train to Hoboken, N. J., where it boarded the converted liner Leviathan, former- ly the Vaterland. It was one of the first out- fits aboard the ship, and it was assigned quar- ters far up forward. On Sunday, March, 3, the other troops embarked, and at 9:20 Mon- day morning, March 4, the transport steamed for Liverpool, Eng. The men were required to stay below decks until the craft had passed out of the harbor, so that spies might not obtain information as to the number of troops abra" 1. The ocean trip was uneventful. Owing to its speed, the Leviathan could outdistance subma- rines, and it crossed the ocean with no convoy. It was not until the last day at sea that a con- voy, which was to escort it into Liverpool, was picked up. The ship docked at Liverpool on Tuesday, March 12. The artillerymen re- mained aboard during that day, and started for an English rest camp near Winchester on March 13. The trip was made in the small English coaches, and the men arrived at camp at midnight, March 14.
The stop at the rest camp was brief. On March 18 the regiment was again aboard trains bound for Southampton, from which port it was to cross the channel to LeHavre, France. On the "Queen of Douglas," a small side- wheeler, Battery C started to cross the channe' on Monday evening, March 18. It was a clear night, and the hazard from submarines was too great, so the craft turned back after only go- ing a short distance. A successful crossing was made next night, however.
One day was spent at LeHavre, and the regiment was again on its way. Camp Coet- quidan, near Guer, France, was reached March 25. It was the final training camp for the regiment, where equipment was to be issued and practice on the range given. Each outfit was given a full complement of guns, cais- sons, field kitchens, wagons, horses and other material, and the work of learning to handle them was begun in earnest. Non-commis- sioned officers attended school during the day- time, and there were also special classes for the officers. Each battery was given certain days each week to fire the guns, under the di- rection of French and American instructors. There was considerable fatigue work in get- ting the camp in shape, each battery being called upon on some days to furnish as many
as 150 men for guard duty, digging trenches, and other working details.
While at Coetquidan, a requisition came in for two batteries, to be used for a twelve week term in instructing aspirants for officers' com- missions at artillery schools. Battery A of Milwaukee was sent to Gondrecourt, and Bat- tery C assigned to Veauxhalles. On March 25, the Racine battery loaded its guns and horses aboard cars, and started for the small French village. General Chamberlain, Col. Westphal and others were at the railroad depot to watch the loading.
On April 29, the battery arrived at its des- tination. Its members were the first troops to be quartered in this small French village, and every inhabitant was at hand to watch the proceedings. Gaunt from their four days' ride, the horses were hitched to the guns and cais- sons and the procession to the village, about a mile distant, started. The town was so small that the battery passed through it, and it was not until the circuitous road led it back to the depot again, that the mistake was discovered. It was six o'clock in the evening before the picket line had been built, the guns parked, the men billeted and the rolling kitchen set up.
A few days were devoted to getting things in shape, and then the battery started firing for the Second Corps Artillery School, which was situated at Montigny-sur-Aube. Battery F of the 147th Field artillery, an outfit with 75 millimeter guns, fired mornings and Battery C in the afternoon. Reveille was at 6 o'clock in the morning, and taps at 10 o'clock, and every minute of the time was occupied. In the morning, the drivers attended their horses, cleaned harness and had lessons in equitation, while the cannoneers did detail work, con- structed gun pits and drilled with the ma- terial.
The range was six miles from town, and it was not until six o'clock at night that the guns were hauled into the park for the evening. The men then had supper, after which retreat was held. The horses were groomed in the evening, from 7 to 8:30 o'clock. Every "non- com" was required to attend school for an hour and a half in the evening.
After six weeks, the artillery school was moved to the Swiss border, leaving the two batteries behind. Word was expected daily which would start the battery toward the regi- ment, which was rumored to be on the Alsace front. Before such word was received, how- ever, the two outfits were assigned to an aviation school at Chattilon-sur-Seine, where
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SECTION THREE OF C BATTERY POSING AFTER ARRIVAL AT THE AMERICAN CAMP
Top Row-Roht. Mokracik, John Burdette, Hugh Munn, Peter Oblisky, Clarence Kaltenbach, W. Ellison, M. Carlson, Oscar Curley. A. Olson, Geo. Danek, J. Jackson, T. Piazza. Second-Edw. Pytlak, Geo. Herbst, Helmar Giortz, Hans Hansen, Adolph Hoffman, Floyd Magnon, John Nubert, Lawrence Hendrickson, Chas. Thome, Ellsworth Jones. Third-Geo. Schroeder, John Murphy, Wm. Taylor, Frank Snowden, Joe Lisuzzo, Oscar Wilke, Louis Pierce, Ernest Wartner, Walter Maas, Edward Lynn, Constant Loosevelt. Fourth-Jacob Mauer, Sidney Olson, David Wolff, Geo. Miller, Chauncey Janechy, Alex Last, Alvin Troertler, John Sheehy. Iren Thomas. Bottom-Andrew Wells, Paul Sommers, Elmer Sbertoli, Walter Pawlak.
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aeroplane observers for artillery were being instructed. They retained their billets in the little villages, the aviators and observers mak- ing the trip from Chattilon in aeroplanes.
Disappointment among the men was keen, as they had been assured that after twelve weeks' firing for the artillery school they would join the regiment. During the twelve weeks, Captain Richard Bryant had been transferred to another outfit, and Capt. McQueen S. Wight- man of New York had been placed in com- mand of the battery.
Their work was cut when they joined the aviation school, each battery being required to fire only three days a week. Wireless sta- tions were established to receive the sensings from the observers in the aeroplanes. Spade trails were constructed at the range to facili- tate shifting from one target to another. Ev- erything possible was done to make the work as easy and as interesting as possible.
The aeroplane observers directed the firing of the batteries, flying high above them and observing where the shots landed. They would then send down corrections, until they had finally put the shells on the target.
The men sought diversion from the monotony of firing day after day, at the same target and with practically the same deflection and range, by joining in the social life of the village. A canteen was established, which later developed into one of the largest Y. M. C. A.'s in the Chattilon section. There were moving picture shows once a week, and the men also held im- promptu entertainments. The various sections competed against each other in a basketball tournament. There were baseball games be- tween the various outfits in the Chattilon area, Battery C capturing the championship after a lively battle. The battery also won the foot- ball championship and the basketball title. There were horse shows and athletic meets.
Three different times orders were received for the battery to join the regiment. But at the last moment, after horses and material had been gotten into shape, these orders were cancelled for some reason or other.
The battery was close enough to the front to hear the booming of the big guns at times, where the other units of the regiment were making history. Finally five of the men packed their belongings, and jumping on a troop train, reached the regiment at Mont- faucon where it was taking part in the Ar- gonne Drive. These five were Arthur Hader, Edward Linn, Eward Stilb, Walter Williams and Walter Maas. They remained at the front fourteen days, and were then sent back with
twenty-three casuals, who were necessary to fill up the battery so that it might function properly.
For during the time that it was at Veaux- halles, the battery membership had rapidly dwindled. Some men had been transferred to other outfits, some had taken ill and were in hospitals, and many were on special work. Conditions had become such that there were not sufficient men for details, firing the guns and caring for the horses, and a requisition for more men had been sent to the regiment.
When it seemed as though the hopes for the battery rejoining the regiment were slim, re- quests for transfers began piling up on the captain. Practically every man in the outfit asked for a transfer between April 29 and November 11, when the Armistice was signed.
Armistice Day was appropriately celebrated. It was declared a holiday for the battery, and the soldiers joined in with the French people in appropriately observing it. The opportuni- ties for celebrating were slim, but the men took advantage of every one of them.
With the war at a close, the men felt confi- dent that they would rejoin their regiment. But the work of training artillery observers was uninterrupted. Instead of being stopped, it increased, more firing days being added and the sections being divided into battalions so that more observers could receive instructions. It was not until a few weeks before the bat- tery was prepared to start for Gondrecourt, near where the regiment was stationed, that the firing finally ceased.
During the nine months at Veauxhalles, the battery turned out 388 aeroplane observers, and trained 200 aspirant artillery officers, be- sides doing the routine work necessary for the care of its equipment and keeping itself in shape to answer a call to the front at a mo- ment's notice.
On Feb. 14, 1918, the battery took its fare- well from Veauxhalles. The entire town turned out to wave a last goodbye as the procession wound its way through the main street. There was not a dry eye, as during the nine months there was not an inhabitant but knew every man in the outfit.
After five days on the road, Battery C finally pulled into Pershing's Park at Rozieres-on- blois on Feb. 19. Owing to the lack of bar- racks, it was quartered in barns in the village below. Its horses were turned in, and tractors and trucks were issued in their stead. Work on the erection of barracks started immediate- ly, so that the battery might be quartered with
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RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
PERSONNEL OF THE U. S. COAST GUARD STATION AT RACINE
In the upper row are Chas. Olson, Andrew Fisher, O. A. Johnson, Eugene Grann. In the lower are R. J. LeClair, Hans Kvamme (warrant officer), J. A. Olander (c. p. o.). Peter Larson and Nels Jacobson.
the remainder of the regiment at Pershing's park, which occupied the top of a high hill ad- jacent to the town. These barracks were com- pleted a few weeks before the regiment start- ed on the long trek homeward.
Following is a list of the members of Bat- tery C, officers and enlisted men, from the time
the battery was ordered to Camp Douglas on July 2, 1917, until its return in 1919. Men who were transferred from the organization before it sailed for France are designated with a §; those who came from other cities and were assigned to the battery after July 2, 1917, are designated by a t.
Lloyd T. Abrahamson Benny Aelliot Matteo Aelliot
Marshall Carlson
Fred Catley
Alonzo F. Gaidoss William J. Gaiser Frank J. Hilt
Charles H. Albright
Arthur J. Christiansons
Alvin J. Gascoigne
George Hindlet
James L. Anderson
Edward G. Christmant
William Geb§
Adolph M. Hoffman
Elmer S. Anderson
Harrison L. Clemons§
Otto J. Genich
John F. Hoffmant
Alfred E. Anderson
Glenn F. Clickner
Lyle L. George
Stanley D. Howe
Hans C Anderson Joe Aatoski§
Bryan Correll Benjamin Crandall§
John A. Geyer
Madison R. Hughest Josef Hwalisz
Carlton L. Austint
Earl L. Crouch§
Svend V. Gjellerup
John H. Hubert
George K. Barnes Harry C. Cunliffet
Barney J. Gramst Paul W. Intast
Elmer J. Bartels
Oscar J. Curley
Lieut. J. Grant§t Julius J. Jacksont
Wesley M. Bassindale
George Danek
Norman Grosst
Henry W. Jacobson
John C. Bayer Fred P. Danzers
Roscoe P. Guilbert$
Otto Jandl
Washington Bezuchas
David DeBarges
Frank C. J. Haases Arthur E. Hader
Charles Janechy
Alvin A. Bohnsack§
Vincent Delvechio
Clarence C. Bramow Dionisios Demitropolous
James F. Brehm
Beauford H. Dicks§
Hans C. Hansoo
Raleigh L. Jerstad
Harry C. Breheim
John Diffatte
Harry E. Hanson Ephraim F. Hanson§
George Johnsont George Johnson
Edward Brinkman
William J. Dupuiss
Alvin E. Haumersen
Nels M. Johnson
Richard G. Bryant
Emanuel G. Eberhardt
Charles I. Haumersen
Holgia Johasont
George D. Brokawt
Harvey W. Ellisont
Howard F. Hauptt
IJarold T. Brown John Burdettet Edward R Burgert
James L. Evans§ Michael Evans§t
Emanuel Helfmant
Arthur Buse
Julius Feigess Stephen S. Filochowski
Lawrence Hendricksont
Edmund A. Byerly Guiseppi Capaldit
Russel A. Fischer
George F. Herbst Harry J. Herzog
George R. Jonest Owen P. Jones John Jorgenson
George W. Carey
Henry (. Fritges, Jr.+
Ignatz Gabryzewskit
Robert Heth Clarence C. Hills
Joseph J. Chours
William F. Gersondes
John I. Hoytt
Harry E. Augustine James Craigs
Hilmar H. Giortz
Carl E. Hanson
Clarence Jensen Walter L. Jensen
George Bringedahlt
Charles H. Doolin
Edward E. Evans
Leonard J. Heimes James O. Hayest
Roy A. Johnson§ Peter W. Johnsont Christ R. Johnsons Howard C. Johnson Ellsworth O. Jones
Henry J. Hemm
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RACINE COUNTY IN THE WORLD WAR
George E. Juncos Clarence Kaestner Joseph F. Kaiser
William Miller§t
Edward Pyardt
Eward W. Stilb Roy N. Stream
Edward C. Milstead
Edward Pytlak
Demetrius Mischuks
Edward H. Rappss
Evald P. Strand§
Peter E. Mogenson
Arthur Rattle
Ronald Stauss
William E. Kaiser Clarence Kaltenbach
Robert E. Mokracik+
Mason C. Roberts
William J. Svoboda
Edward R. Mross
Alphonse J. Roberts§
Charley J. Rockiet
Soren Thiesen
Earl L. Kinner
Walter Mogensons Samuel Morminost
Benjamin Roset
Charles M. Thomet
John Kolodziezyki Albert J. Housek
Arthur Naleids
Joseph Ruffalos
Joseph M. Thome
Paul Kristopeit
Clarence Naughert
Tomothy J. Ryant
Joe Sadoski
Alvin T. Troestler
August A. Kristopeit Arthur J. Krueger M. Kubeliks
Leslie H. Nelson
George Salak§
Ludwig T. Kuehl§
Sieger A. Nelson;
Harry J. Sanders§
Charles E. Lafferty+ Peter W. Lahr
Victor P. Nelson
Elmer J. Shertolit
Walter E. Larson
Ward C. Nields
Paul Schlosser
Alexander H. G. Last
Frank J. Nowak;
Irving Schlevensky
George E. Wagner
Lyle W. Lewis§
George H. Nullert
Fred W. Schwarzt
John C. Wartnert
Edward J. Linn
Peter Oblsikey
William Schroedert
Andrew N. Wellst
Joseph Lisuzzof
Vitto Oddot
George Seater§
Carl A. Wendt§
Theodore D. Lorentzen§
Arthur F. Olson
David R. Semmes
Harry E. Wherry
Constant Looseveltt
Earl L. Olson
Harold W. G. Shaw§
Verne Whitneyt
Jolin W. Luker
Sidney H. Olson
Lewis C. Shaw§
Walter J. Maas
Joseph H. Oliver§
.John Sheehyt
William W. Williamst
Jacoh P. Madsen
John B. Ourent
Clarence L. Smith
Vernon J. Willett
Floyd Magnan
Valdemar Ove§
Dewey D. Smith
Boleslaw Wilczek+
Mitchell J. Malouf
Willis J. Parks§
Lyle F. Smith§
Elmer Wilson
Fred H. Mandrey
Walter L. Pawlakt
Frank L. Snowdont
William Wilson
James S. Marsht
Al L. Perkins
Kostek Sobeilarski
Jacob O. Mauer
Olaf Peterson§
Paul W. Sommerst
Edwin J. Wiset
Fred T. Maxted
Peter E. Peterson
Christ C. Sondergard
Franklin X. McCormick§
Vigo Peterson
Peter C. Sorenson Oscar Sorensont
William MeNicol
Louis F. Pierce
Oscar L. Sorenson
Paul O. Meyer
Zymund Piotrowski
Martin Sorenson§
Peter J. Menden
Tony Piazza
Reuben R. St. Lonist
George H. Miller
Paul C. Poulson
George M. Stiglbauer;
William T. Taylort
Robert A. Kammien§ Anton Katlaryck§ Moses Kevorkiant
Hugh A. Munn
John J. Murphy
William B. Rogahn
Norman A. Thomas Iren C. Thomas
Frank Nelson
Godfrey M. Nelson
Charles J. Salak§
George M. Trottert
Gerhard A. Voss
Ernest E. Voss§
Louis N. Nelson
Ernest H. Sawyert
Harry W. Vosst
F. Van Wie§ William R. Wadewitz
Oscar Wilket Walter G. Williams
Charles C. Mackeyt Joseph Orzelt
August W. Skow
John Wisnieskit
McQueen S. Wightmant
David L. Woulfet
Lieut. C. MeGraw§t
Mark M. Piel
Ernest E. Wrixton§
Joe Yerkes
Frank Yilek§
Tripon Romang
Walter B. Tomlinson
CHAPTER XXIII
BATTERY F, I21st F. A.
T' O Battery F, 121st Field Artillery, 32nd division, belongs the distinction of be- ing the only combat unit recruited exclu- sively in Racine to see action in France. It was composed entirely of volunteers who en- listed after the outbreak of the war with Ger- many. As a part of the Thirty-second division it participated in the great offensives desig- nated as the Aisne-Marne, the Oise-Aisne and the Meuse-Argonne, and also spent two months in defensive warfare in Alsace. It lost three men killed in battle, seven dead from disease or accident, and thirty wounded. Ninety men were seriously enough ill to require treatment at a field or base hospital at one time or an- other. In addition to supporting the infantry of the Thirty-second division in three offen- sives, Battery F also supported at various times the Third, Seventy-ninth, Twenty-eighth, Eighty-ninth, Ninetieth and Forty-second American division infantry units, and the First Moroccans of the French army.
It was in active offensive combat from Aug. 1 until Nov. 5, with a rest of only ten days late in September. Whenever the infantry of the Thirty-second division was withdrawn to act in support or reserve, the artillery re- mained at the front, and assisted other divi- sions by sending over showers of high explo- sive and gas shells, conducting interdiction fire, harassing fire, and destructive fire and helping to form creeping or stationary bar- rages.
The early history of Battery F is recounted in one of the first chapters of this volume. During its service it underwent many changes in personnel. Officers were transferred, pro- moted and assigned to other units. Men were sent away to officers' training schools, trans- ferred to other organizations, and lost by death and illness. Usually when a man was sent to a base hospital, he had great difficulty in re- turning to his old organization. Convalescents were sent to replacement camps and forward-
ed to the divisions which needed men at that time. Of the 205 officers and men who left Racine for Camp Douglas July 2, 1917, only 111 men embarked from France for America with the Battery. None of the original offi- cers were with it.
In France Battery F was equipped with 155 millimeter howitzers of French design. There were four of these guns and eight caissons for each battery, a French fourgon and chariot du parc (wagons), an American supply wagon, a forge outfit on wheels, a rolling kitchen, a water cart and, usually, a motley collection of native carts and carriages picked up in ruined villages en route to carry surplus supplies. By the early autumn, however, the number of horses had been reduced so by shell fire and gas casualties that it was difficult to haul the authorized wheeled vehicles. The battery was furnished with 220 horses upon arrival in France, and had thirty-two left when it was taken out of the lines in November for lack of animals to pull the material forward. These horses were of native heavy stock, all mares and stallions, and as they understood no English and were inclined to be wild, there were some desperate encounters during the training of them.
The howitzers fired two types of shells, six inches in diameter. One was comparatively light and sharp nosed, to be used normally for ranges of more than 6,000 meters. The other was longer and heavier, containing much more high explosive powder, and was designed for destroying defenses. It was also more ex- pensive. The guns could send shells up to 11,000 meters, and owing to the two weights of shell and the fact that the driving charge of powder could be varied, the guns were able to accomplish many sorts of missions. A heavy powder charge and a light shell allowed a piece to be fired with a low trajectory like a rifle. A smaller powder charge could be used for shorter ranges, or to cause the shell to
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take a high trajectory and strike the target at a wide angle. This was especially useful in firing at objects behind steep hills, and in ob- taining deep penetration in the ground. Vari- ous sorts of fuses were used to detonate the shells on impact, some causing an explosion instantaneously and others causing the shell to explode in from one-fiftieth to one-fourth of a second after striking the ground. In loading the gun, a fuse was screwed in the nose of the projectile, the projectile was then pushed into the breech of the piece, as many small bags of powder as were needed were put in behind it, and the breech was closed. A primer cart- ridge was then inserted in a small hole in the breech block. A pull of the firing pin lever then caused the firing of the primer, which ignited the powder and propelled the shell to its destination. When desired, time fuses could be used which would cause the shells to explode in the air at a certain distance from the gun.
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