Camp Edwards Falmouth Ma 1940-1945 as an example of
military base activity preparing for and during WWII.
1940: US Army leases the camp & starts major mobilization construction.
Walsh Construction Co contracted to constuct initial 1300 bldgs with
the goal of housing & facilities for 30,000 men by 1/1941 when the 26th
Infantry Division is scheduled to enter the camp for a year of training.
The project was completed in 125 days (9/1940-1/1941) and served as
the national prototype for other camps.
1941: In January, the 26th Yankee Division comprised almost entirely of National
Guardsmen, was federalized for a year of service. In Feb & March, selectees
from NY & New England filled in the ranks of the division, bringing the cantonment
close to it3s 30,000 capacity
Between April & November, the 26th ID left the Camp to participate in the
Carolina Manuevers. They returned to Camp on 12/6 . The bombing of Pearl Harbor
12/7, and subsequent declaration of war by the US, resulted in extension of service
for all of the Division through 1944.
1942 In May of 1942, the 26th ID left Camp to go on Coastal Patrol.
The camp was now involved with a variety of activities associated with troop training.
The US Army Air Corps 14th AntiSubmarine Patrol Squadron operated at Edwards
1941-1943. The Objectiveswere to provide Off-shore sea patrols for enemy
vessels & submarines.
The 2nd Battalion, 64th Coastal Artillery Regiment (anti-aircraft) was stationed at
Edwards 1942-44 and comprised the core of the Anti-aircraft Artillery Training Center.
The AATC serviced 42 battalions. Anti-aircraft training included firing guns at aircraft
pulled targets, as well as searchlight training to locate aircraft at night.
First of it's kind, the Engineer Amphibian Command(EAC) was activated 6/10/1942.
Renamed the Amphibious Training Command by the War Dept...amphibious training
was conductd with EAC units and combat infanrty units, including the famous Texas
Division (the 36th) and the 45th Division in the summer of 1942. This group
"invaded Martha's Vineyard" during summer exercises and tested seasickness pills
by the Defense Dept.
A Convalescent Hospital was established, and in addition to serving wounded
coming back from Europe & the Pacific, became famous for convlescent trains
that crossed the US & for it's WAAC training program for New England nurses.
Over 2500 nurses trained here before going overseas between 1942 & 1944.
The Camp constructed a "mock German Village on post for training exercises.
1943: The East Coast Processing Center was established & was the 1st such facility on the
1944 East Coast. The Center houses men who'd gone AWOL at the time their units were
shipped overseas. Between 1943 and 1945, 40,000 men were processed through
the center - most staying a month before being shipped out to Europe or the Pacific.
Shortly after the North African campaign began, the Army built a POW camp for
captured German soldiers at Camp Edwards. It housed up to 2,000 POWS at a
time, many of whom were from Rommel's famed North Africa Corps. The prisoners
worked around the camp, but were also sent to work in the area's farms &
cranberry bogs. The 1114th SCU maintained security & managed the camp throughout
the war. By wars end, 5,000 POWS had been processsed & repatriated.
1945-46: Camp Edwards housed one of the larger Temporary Separation Centers for
discharging soldiers - 12,900 men discharge between 45-46.