Camp Granite facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Camp Granite |
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Camp Granite in 1943
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| Location | near Indio, California |
| Built | 1943 |
| Architect | US Army |
| Reference no. | 985.2 |
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Camp Granite was a special training camp for the U.S. Army during World War II. It was located in the desert of Riverside County, California. This camp was part of a much larger training area called the Desert Training Center. The main base for this training center was Camp Young. Famous General Patton and his 3rd Armored Division were stationed there.
Camp Granite is now recognized as a California Historical Landmark (No. 985.2). You can find its site about 45 miles east of Indio, California. It is off Interstate 10 and California State Route 62, close to the Granite Mountains.
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Why Was Camp Granite Built?
Camp Granite was built quickly in the spring of 1943. Its main purpose was to get American soldiers ready for battle. They needed to learn how to fight in the harsh desert conditions of North Africa. This was where they would face the Nazis during World War II.
The first camp had to be moved to higher ground soon after it was built. This was because of unexpected flooding. Many different groups of soldiers trained at Camp Granite. These included the 90th Infantry Division and the 104th Infantry Division. Smaller groups like the 76th Field Artillery Regiment also trained here.
From July to November 1943, the XV Corps (United States) used Camp Granite as its main base. When the camp was finished, it had many buildings. There were 40 shower buildings and 157 latrines (bathrooms). It also had 191 wooden frames for tents and a huge 50,000-gallon water tank.
Training at Camp Granite
Soldiers at Camp Granite practiced using many types of weapons. The camp had special areas for artillery and small firearms. They even practiced shooting at targets towed by planes. This helped them learn to use .30-caliber and .50-caliber anti-aircraft guns.
There were also ranges for bigger guns like the M101 howitzer and 57 mm guns. The army used live-fire exercises during training. This means they used real bullets and shells. Because of this, you can still find warning signs at the site today.
After their training, many of these soldiers went on to fight in the North African campaign. The nearby Camp Iron Mountain Airfield provided air support for the camp.
Palen Pass: A Training Ground
Palen Pass, located in the Palen Mountains, was a key area for large training exercises. Soldiers practiced building defenses there. It was also used as a target area for artillery practice. On August 20, 1943, Lockheed P-38 Lightning planes bombed and attacked ground targets in the pass.
Remembering Camp Granite
A special marker at the site in Riverside, California, helps us remember Camp Granite. It explains that the camp was set up in the spring of 1942. It was one of twelve camps in the desert. These camps helped train U.S. troops for World War II battles.
The Desert Training Center was like a giant practice battlefield. It covered parts of California, Arizona, and Nevada. Other camps included Young, Iron Mountain, and Ibis. Over one million American soldiers trained in this tough desert environment. The training center operated for almost two years. It closed in early 1944 when the last troops were sent overseas.
