Camp Forrest

Camp Forrest, a WWII U.S. Army facility in Tullahoma, Tennessee, spanned 85,000 acres and served as a key training, hospital, and POW center before its 1946 deactivation.

Camp Forrest was a WWII U.S. Army induction, training, and POW facility located in Tullahoma, Tennessee. It spanned 85,000 acres and housed 70,000 soldiers, 800 civilian internees, and 24,000 POWs. The facility featured:

  • 1,300 buildings
  • 55 miles of roads
  • 5 miles of railroad tracks

Camp Forrest served as a major training and hospital center. It was deactivated and dismantled in 1946, with only roads, chimneys, and concrete foundations remaining today.

Originally named Camp Peay after Tennessee Governor Austin Peay, Camp Forrest was established near Tullahoma in 1926 as a National Guard Camp.

Key Facts about Camp Forrest

  • Size:
    • Camp Peay covered 1,040 acres
    • Camp Forrest expanded to 85,000 acres just beyond it
  • Training Roles:
    • Served as a training area for:
      • Infantry
      • Artillery
      • Engineer
      • Signal organizations
      • Cooks
    • Functioned as a hospital center and temporary encampment area for troops during maneuvers

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