Camp Haan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Camp Haan
Camp Haan in 1943
Location	near Riverside, California
Built	1940, closed 1945
Architect	US Army
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Camp Haan was a very important training camp for the United States Army during World War II. It was built in 1940 near Riverside, California. The camp opened in January 1941. It was a place where soldiers learned to use anti-aircraft guns. These guns were used to shoot down enemy planes.

The camp was quite large, covering about 8,058 acres. It was named after Major General William G. Haan, a hero from World War I. By the end of 1941, Camp Haan had many buildings. These included service buildings, chapels, and a hospital. It also had 28 miles of streets.

What Was Camp Haan?

Camp Haan served as a key training center for the US Army. It helped prepare soldiers for their duties during World War II. The camp was located near March Air Force Base in Riverside County, California.

Training Soldiers for War

The first soldiers trained at Camp Haan were sent to protect California. They guarded cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. This was very important after the Attack on Pearl Harbor. Also, events like the Battle of Los Angeles made everyone in California very alert.

Protecting California's Coast

In March 1942, an Army Service Depot was added to the camp. This depot helped supply the troops. Camp Haan played a big role in defending the West Coast. It made sure soldiers were ready for any attack.

Life at Camp Haan

Life at Camp Haan was busy for the soldiers. They trained hard every day. But there were also times for entertainment.

Famous Visitors

On April 12, 1942, the famous comedian Jack Benny visited Camp Haan. He performed his radio show live for the soldiers. This was a special treat for everyone at the camp.

Prisoners of War and Hospital

Camp Haan also had other important roles during the war. It became home to prisoners of war and a large hospital.

Italian and German POWs

After the North African campaign, many Italian Prisoners of War (POWs) came to California. A special POW camp was built at Camp Haan in September 1942. It could hold 1,200 Italian prisoners. Some Italian soldiers even worked at the camp. Later, in April 1945, German POWs also arrived. The camp also had a center for soldiers who needed extra guidance.

Caring for Wounded Soldiers

As the war continued, many soldiers were wounded. An 800-bed Army hospital was built at Camp Haan. This hospital cared for soldiers returning from the Pacific War. At its busiest, Camp Haan had about 80,000 people. This included troops, POWs, and hospital staff.

After the War

When World War II ended, Camp Haan was still useful. It helped soldiers return home.

New Uses for the Land

After the war, the camp was used to temporarily house troops. These soldiers were coming home from overseas through a program called Operation Magic Carpet. Camp Haan officially closed on August 31, 1946. The land was then given back to March Air Base.

Today, parts of the former Camp Haan have new purposes. In 1976, a large section became the 921-acre Riverside National Cemetery. This cemetery honors veterans. Another part of the land is now the General Old Golf Course. Some of the land also became part of the Arnold Heights neighborhood. Arnold Heights is named after Army General Henry H. Arnold. The site of the old camp is right across from March Air Reserve Base.