Camp Claiborne
Encyclopedia
Camp Claiborne was a U.S. Army military camp
during World War II
located in Rapides Parish
in central Louisiana
. The camp was under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Eighth Service Command, and included 23,000 acres (93 km²).
The camp was just north of the town of present day Forest Hill
, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 165 and Louisiana Highway 112
.
It was established June 10, 1930 as Camp Evangeline, named for the Evangeline District of the Kisatchie National Forest
where it was situated. It was later renamed for the Governor of the Territory of Orleans and first governor of the State of Louisiana, William C.C. Claiborne
. In 1939 construction crews were sent to expand the camp and it was activated in 1940.
From 1939 to 1946 over half a million men went through Camp Claiborne. The camp was mainly used for basic training and artillery practice, which included the nearby Winn District-Kisatchie Precision Bombing Range. It was also home to the Engineering Unit Training Command(EUTC) and special service forces training was also conducted there, including railroad battalion training. The 34th Infantry Division (United States) came to Claiborne for its basic training and would be the first American force sent to the European Theater of Operations
(ETO).
In 1941, prior to the United States
declaring war, the camp was part of the Louisiana Maneuvers
, a 400,000 man training exercise involving two imaginary countries fighting each other. The two armies faced each other across the Red River, over 3400 square miles (8,806 km²) of land, including part of East Texas. Near the end of the war German
prisoners of war (POW) were held at the camp.
For many of the men, like the ones from the 34th Infantry Division, who were from Iowa
, Minnesota
, North Dakota
, South Dakota
, and Wisconsin
, they had never been to the south. Not only did they have to get used to basic training, they had to get used to the climate of Louisiana.
The camp was deactivated in 1945 and returned to Kisatchie National Forest
, as part of the National Forest System
, administered by the U.S. Forest Service.
, 101st Airborne Division
, 327th Infantry Regiment, 205th Infantry Brigade renamed to 103rd Reconnaissance Troop
, 325th Infantry Regiment
, 412th Engineer Command
, 761st Tank Battalion, 497th Transportation Company, 33rd Infantry Regiment
, 18th Engineer Brigade
, 1195th Engineer Base Depot Group Redesignated 1195th Engineer Combat Group HHC, 361st Special Services Engineers Regiment, 393rd Special Services Engineers Regiment, 712th Railway Operating Battalion, 725th Railway Operating Battalion
.
It ran from Camp Claiborne—on the Missouri Pacific south of Alexandria—westward 48 miles to Camp Polk—on the Kansas City Southern south of Leesville
. Construction began on 4 September 1941 and the Golden Spike ceremony was held on 11 July 1942. In October 1942, the soldiers who had built the Claiborne-Polk Military Railroad shipped out to Iran
, where they helped operate the Trans-Iranian Railroad
. The foundation of the locomotive shop and other remnants can still be seen.
The 725th and other ROBs referred to it as the `Crime and Punishment` RR. Built by the 711th ROB and Army engineers. The engines were 40 years old, and the freight cars, some not US made were two generations old. Some European cars had only 4 wheels and did not do well on curves. Derailments were so often that they pulled a crane to pick up derailed cars and repair the roadbed.
Often, the crane even derailed. Sometimes the rails sunk under the swamp and cars were lost in the quicksand. More than one engineer reported seeing the rails swaying and vibrating for some time after the train had passed. It was reported that one engine was lost in the quicksand and is still there. In other cases the built on top of the lost equipment using it as a foundation.
Forrest Hill
.
The St. Catherine Church on the junction of US 165 with Robinson Bridge Road is using one of the military buildings.
The Camp Claiborne chapel
was relocated to Clarence
in Natchitoches Parish
, where it is still used for worship services by the Clarence Baptist
Church. The balcony, now a storage area, was used by African American
troops who were segregated
in worship from white soldiers who used the pews of the lower tier.
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Marksville Avoyelles Parish purchased an old building from Camp Claiborne after World War II, for conversion as a rectory.
Some buildings were purchased by Southeast Louisiana State University.
Today the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is in the process of evaluating the grounds of the former camp to see how feasible it would be to remove possible unexploded ordnance
.
Military camp
A military camp or bivouac is a semi-permanent facility for the lodging of an army. Camps are erected when a military force travels away from a major installation or fort during training or operations, and often have the form of large campsites. In the Roman era the military camp had highly...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
located in Rapides Parish
Rapides Parish, Louisiana
-Military Installations:*Camp Beauregard *Esler Airfield *England Air Force Base *Camp Claiborne *Camp Livingston -Demographics:...
in central Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. The camp was under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Eighth Service Command, and included 23,000 acres (93 km²).
The camp was just north of the town of present day Forest Hill
Forest Hill, Louisiana
Forest Hill is a village in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is part of the Alexandria, Louisiana Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 456 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Forest Hill is located at ....
, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 165 and Louisiana Highway 112
Louisiana Highway 112
Louisiana Highway 112 is a state highway in Louisiana. It spans and runs from west to east. LA 112 is a mostly rural two lane highway with a maximum speed limit of per hour. The western terminus is at an intersection with U.S. Route 171/U.S. Route 190 in Beauregard Parish and the eastern...
.
History
Kisatchie National Forest
Kisatchie National Forest, the only National forest in Louisiana, USA, is located in the state's old growth piney hills and hardwood bottoms of seven central and northern parishes. It totals more than of public lands....
where it was situated. It was later renamed for the Governor of the Territory of Orleans and first governor of the State of Louisiana, William C.C. Claiborne
William C.C. Claiborne
William Charles Cole Claiborne was a United States politician, best known as the first Governor of Louisiana. He also has the distinction of possibly being the youngest Congressman in U.S...
. In 1939 construction crews were sent to expand the camp and it was activated in 1940.
From 1939 to 1946 over half a million men went through Camp Claiborne. The camp was mainly used for basic training and artillery practice, which included the nearby Winn District-Kisatchie Precision Bombing Range. It was also home to the Engineering Unit Training Command(EUTC) and special service forces training was also conducted there, including railroad battalion training. The 34th Infantry Division (United States) came to Claiborne for its basic training and would be the first American force sent to the European Theater of Operations
European Theater of Operations
The European Theater of Operations, United States Army was a United States Army formation which directed U.S. Army operations in parts of Europe from 1942 to 1945. It referred to Army Ground Forces, United States Army Air Forces, and Army Service Forces operations north of Italy and the...
(ETO).
In 1941, prior to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
declaring war, the camp was part of the Louisiana Maneuvers
Louisiana Maneuvers
The Louisiana Maneuvers were a series of military exercises held all over north and west-central Louisiana, including Fort Polk, Camp Claiborne and Camp Livingston, in August and September 1941...
, a 400,000 man training exercise involving two imaginary countries fighting each other. The two armies faced each other across the Red River, over 3400 square miles (8,806 km²) of land, including part of East Texas. Near the end of the war German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
prisoners of war (POW) were held at the camp.
For many of the men, like the ones from the 34th Infantry Division, who were from Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
, South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
, and Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, they had never been to the south. Not only did they have to get used to basic training, they had to get used to the climate of Louisiana.
The camp was deactivated in 1945 and returned to Kisatchie National Forest
Kisatchie National Forest
Kisatchie National Forest, the only National forest in Louisiana, USA, is located in the state's old growth piney hills and hardwood bottoms of seven central and northern parishes. It totals more than of public lands....
, as part of the National Forest System
United States National Forest
National Forest is a classification of federal lands in the United States.National Forests are largely forest and woodland areas owned by the federal government and managed by the United States Forest Service, part of the United States Department of Agriculture. Land management of these areas...
, administered by the U.S. Forest Service.
Units Serving
Many of these divisions were created at this camp or reactivated. Units that served here were 84th Infantry Division, U.S. 5th Tank Group, 784th Tank Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division, 407th Brigade Support Battalion, 332nd Engineer General Service Regiment332nd Engineer General Service Regiment
332nd Engineer General Service Regiment or 332nd Engineer Regiment was activated as a Special Service Regiment in May 1942, as a unit in the United States Army. Later this unit was redesignated a General Service Regiment. The unit was formed from some regular Army officers and enlisted men, trained...
, 101st Airborne Division
101st Airborne Division
The 101st Airborne Division—the "Screaming Eagles"—is a U.S. Army modular light infantry division trained for air assault operations. During World War II, it was renowned for its role in Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, in Normandy, France, Operation Market Garden, the...
, 327th Infantry Regiment, 205th Infantry Brigade renamed to 103rd Reconnaissance Troop
205th Infantry Brigade (United States)
The 205th Infantry Brigade, was first formed as part of the United States Army Reserve's 103rd Division. It was active from 1921 to 1942 and then from 1963 through 1994, and then reformed in 2006....
, 325th Infantry Regiment
325th Infantry Regiment
The 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment is a unit of the 82nd Airborne Division. Its subordinate units currently constitute the 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division.-Capabilities:...
, 412th Engineer Command
412th Engineer Command (United States)
The 412th Theater Engineer Command is a United States Army Reserve unit that conducts theater-level engineer operations for Eighth U.S. Army, Korea; U.S. Army Europe; and U.S. Army Pacific, supports continental U.S...
, 761st Tank Battalion, 497th Transportation Company, 33rd Infantry Regiment
33rd Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 33rd Infantry Regiment was an American unit stationed in the Panama Canal Zone and Caribbean from 1916-1956. Though providing troops for various other American military formations, the Regiment had no battle honours of its own.-History:...
, 18th Engineer Brigade
18th Engineer Brigade (United States)
The 18th Engineer Brigade is an engineer brigade of the United States Army. It is currently a subordinate unit of 21st Sustainment Command and is headquartered at Tompkins Barracks in Schwetzingen, Germany...
, 1195th Engineer Base Depot Group Redesignated 1195th Engineer Combat Group HHC, 361st Special Services Engineers Regiment, 393rd Special Services Engineers Regiment, 712th Railway Operating Battalion, 725th Railway Operating Battalion
Railroad
To simulate wartime repairs of railroads the Claiborne-Polk Military Railroad was built. The railroad was about 50 miles long and had 25 bridges. It crossed the Red River and Calcasieu RiverCalcasieu River
The Calcasieu River is a river on the Gulf Coast of southwestern Louisiana, U.S.A.. Approximately long, it drains a largely rural area of forests and bayou country, meandering southward to the Gulf of Mexico. The name "Calcasieu" comes from the Native American Atakapa language katkosh, for...
.
It ran from Camp Claiborne—on the Missouri Pacific south of Alexandria—westward 48 miles to Camp Polk—on the Kansas City Southern south of Leesville
Leesville, Louisiana
Leesville is a city in and the parish seat of Vernon Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 6,753 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Fort Polk South Micropolitan Statistical Area. The city is home to the Fort Polk U.S. Army installation...
. Construction began on 4 September 1941 and the Golden Spike ceremony was held on 11 July 1942. In October 1942, the soldiers who had built the Claiborne-Polk Military Railroad shipped out to Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
, where they helped operate the Trans-Iranian Railroad
Trans-Iranian Railway
The Trans-Iranian Railway was a major railway building project started in 1927 and completed in 1938, under the direction of the Persian monarch, Reza Shah, and entirely with indigenous capital. It links the capital Tehran with the Persian Gulf and Caspian Sea...
. The foundation of the locomotive shop and other remnants can still be seen.
The 725th and other ROBs referred to it as the `Crime and Punishment` RR. Built by the 711th ROB and Army engineers. The engines were 40 years old, and the freight cars, some not US made were two generations old. Some European cars had only 4 wheels and did not do well on curves. Derailments were so often that they pulled a crane to pick up derailed cars and repair the roadbed.
Often, the crane even derailed. Sometimes the rails sunk under the swamp and cars were lost in the quicksand. More than one engineer reported seeing the rails swaying and vibrating for some time after the train had passed. It was reported that one engine was lost in the quicksand and is still there. In other cases the built on top of the lost equipment using it as a foundation.
Old Buildings
When the camp was closed in 1948 many buildings were donated or sold in the area and were moved. Some can be found inForrest Hill
Forest Hill, Louisiana
Forest Hill is a village in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is part of the Alexandria, Louisiana Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 456 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Forest Hill is located at ....
.
The St. Catherine Church on the junction of US 165 with Robinson Bridge Road is using one of the military buildings.
The Camp Claiborne chapel
Chapel
A chapel is a building used by Christians as a place of fellowship and worship. It may be part of a larger structure or complex, such as a church, college, hospital, palace, prison or funeral home, located on board a military or commercial ship, or it may be an entirely free-standing building,...
was relocated to Clarence
Clarence, Louisiana
Clarence is a village in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 499 at the 2010 census. It is located some seven miles east of the parish seat of Natchitoches and is part of the Natchitoches Micropolitan Statistical Area....
in Natchitoches Parish
Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
Natchitoches Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat is Natchitoches. As of 2000, the population was 39,080. This is the heart of the Cane River Louisiana Creole community...
, where it is still used for worship services by the Clarence Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
Church. The balcony, now a storage area, was used by African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
troops who were segregated
Racial segregation
Racial segregation is the separation of humans into racial groups in daily life. It may apply to activities such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a public toilet, attending school, going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home...
in worship from white soldiers who used the pews of the lower tier.
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Marksville Avoyelles Parish purchased an old building from Camp Claiborne after World War II, for conversion as a rectory.
Some buildings were purchased by Southeast Louisiana State University.
Today
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) manages the property where the camp once was, not much is left, part of a gate and a handful of scattered shells of buildings, some of which have been fenced off and sealed with sheets of metal. Many streets still exist as well as parking lots and footings of all the old buildings. The USFS also maintains Claiborne Trail, a 26 miles (41.8 km) trail system for hiking, walking, and biking through the area.Today the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is in the process of evaluating the grounds of the former camp to see how feasible it would be to remove possible unexploded ordnance
Unexploded ordnance
Unexploded ordnance are explosive weapons that did not explode when they were employed and still pose a risk of detonation, potentially many decades after they were used or discarded.While "UXO" is widely and informally used, munitions and explosives of...
.
External links
- Camp Claiborne Historical Research Site
- Camp Claiborne
- Former Camp Claiborne - United States Army Corps of EngineersUnited States Army Corps of EngineersThe United States Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 38,000 civilian and military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency...
- Claiborne and Polk Railroad
- The 725th Railway Operating Battalion