Camp Caves, Queensland facts for kids

Camp Caves was an important training camp for the U.S. Army during World War Two. It was built in Australia, just north of the city of Rockhampton, Queensland. Soldiers used the camp from September 1943 until early 1944 to get ready for battles. Camp Caves was one of many U.S. Army training camps in that part of Australia, including places like Camp Nerimbera and Camp Thompson’s Point.

Camp Caves: A WWII Training Spot

Camp Caves got its name from the nearby small town called The Caves. The camp was located right next to the Bruce Highway, which made it easy to access. It was a busy place where soldiers learned important skills.

Who Trained at Camp Caves?

This camp was home to the 24th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. This group of soldiers was also known as the Hawaiian Division. They came to Australia to train and prepare for fighting in the war. Training camps like Camp Caves were vital for getting soldiers ready for combat.

What Was at the Camp?

Camp Caves had many different facilities to support the soldiers. It included places for medical care, so sick or injured soldiers could get help. There were also large buildings called warehouses to store supplies. Special areas known as ammunition dumps safely held weapons and bullets. The camp even had landing strips for small planes and a firing range where soldiers could practice shooting their weapons.

Building and Using the Camp

Work to build Camp Caves started in November 1942. However, construction stopped for a while. It began again in July 1943, and the camp was soon ready for use. The U.S. Army actively used Camp Caves for training from September 1943. By March 1944, the camp was no longer needed for training and was closed down.