Camp Harahan

Camp Harahan,[1] also called Camp Plauche, was a troop staging area outside New Orleans, Louisiana during World War II.[2]

Camp Harahan
Eponym: James T. Harahan
Jefferson Parish, near New Orleans, Louisiana
Coordinates29.9433°N 90.1861°W / 29.9433; -90.1861
TypeStaging area for New Orleans Port of Embarkation and training base.
Site history
Built1942
In use1942 -- 1946
Garrison information
GarrisonAcreage:

The camp served as a staging area for troops passing through the New Orleans Port of Embarkation. Its mission changed to that of a training base in 1942. Between 200,000 - 300,000 troops, including battalions of railroad troops, port troops and hospital men were organized and trained there. [3]

The Army Administration Officer Candidate School was established 19 October 1942 at Mississippi State College under the supervision of the Army Adjutant General. Within a few months the School was renamed the Transportation Corps Officer Candidate School (OCS) and moved to Camp Harahan. The curriculum included transportation modes, terminal operations, and cargo/personnel movement.[4]

The 765th Transportation Battalion was activated at Camp Harahan on 12 March 1943, as the 765th Railway Shop Battalion. It soon deployed to the European Theater.[5]

The 721st Railway Operating Battalion was activated at Camp Harahan on 14 April 1943. The unit comprised men from replacement companies, reception centers, a cadre from another battalion and reservists of the New York Central System, which sponsored the battalion. While at Camp Harahan for six weeks, the men underwent a vigorous physical training program, learning to march, hurdle obstacle courses, roll full field packs, fire a gun and become indoctrinated in Army discipline, rules and regulations. [6] The 721st deployed to the CBI Theater.

The 740th Railway Operating Battalion was activated at Camp Harahan in December 1943.[7]

The camp was later used to hold German and Italian prisoners-of-war (POWs).[8]

  • Animal Remount Station

References
  1. http://bestofneworleans.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A59874
  2. "Louisiana's Military Heritage: Forts, Camps, and Bases". Louisiana Naval War Memorial Commission. Archived from the original on 2012-12-12. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
  3. http://home.earthlink.net/~bat20/id3.html
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2007-08-01. Retrieved 2009-10-12.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/765trans.htm
  6. http://www.cbi-history.com/part_vi_721st_railway_bn2.html
  7. http://www.landmarksdekalbal.org/articles/JamesThomasDavis.html
  8. http://old-new-orleans.com
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