Landmark #985-4 | Riverside County | Visited: November 20, 2011 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
What is it? | A plaque marking the site of Camp Coxcomb, part of General Patton’s Desert Training Center! |
What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: Camp Coxcomb was established at this site in the Spring of 1942. It was one of twelve such camps built in the southwestern desert to harden and train United States troops for service on the battlefields of World War II. The Desert Training Center was a simulated theater of operations that included portions of California, Arizona and Nevada. The other camps were Young, Granite, Iron Mountain, Ibis, Clipper, Pilot Knob, Laguna, Horn, Hyder, Bouse and Rice. A total of 13 infantry divisions and 7 armored divisions plus numerous smaller units were trained in this harsh environment. The Training Center was in operation for almost 2 years and was closed early in 1944 when the last units were shipped overseas. During the brief period of operation over one million American soldiers were trained for combat.
OTHER TIDBITS: That pretty well sums it up! |
How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: 45 mi E of Indio on I-10, exit at Desert Center and go 18 mi N on SR 177 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~192mi (309km) — 3.2hrs |
When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |