Georgia played a pivotal role in World War II, transforming into a hub for military training and war industries. The state's numerous bases, like Fort Benning and Camp Stewart, prepared thousands of soldiers for combat, while air and naval facilities trained pilots for crucial missions.

Georgia's economy shifted dramatically during the war, with new industries sprouting up across the state. The Bell Bomber plant in Marietta and shipyards in Brunswick employed tens of thousands, boosting the local economy and modernizing infrastructure that would benefit the state for years to come.

Military Bases in World War II Georgia

Major Training Centers

• Fort Benning, situated near Columbus, was founded in 1918 and functioned as a primary infantry training facility during World War II
  • Trained thousands of infantry soldiers, including the renowned "Band of Brothers" Easy Company of the 101st Airborne Division, which gained fame for their bravery and combat effectiveness
• Camp Stewart, presently known as Fort Stewart, was established in 1940 near Hinesville and operated as an anti-aircraft artillery training center
  • Prepared soldiers to defend against enemy air attacks by providing extensive training in anti-aircraft weaponry and tactics
• Fort Gordon, located near Augusta, was established in 1941 and served as a major communications training center for the U.S. Army Signal Corps
  • Trained soldiers in the use and maintenance of communications technology, such as radios and telegraphs, which was essential for coordinating military operations across vast distances
• Camp Toccoa, situated in Stephens County, was established in 1942 and functioned as a paratrooper training facility
  • Specialized in training paratroopers, who played a vital role in the D-Day invasion and other major campaigns during the war
  • Famously depicted in the HBO series "Band of Brothers," which chronicled the experiences of Easy Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division

Air Force and Naval Bases

• Robins Air Force Base, located near Warner Robins, was established in 1942 and served as a major maintenance and repair facility for aircraft during the war
  • Ensured that the U.S. military had a reliable fleet of planes for combat missions by performing routine maintenance and repairs on various aircraft types (B-17 Flying Fortress, P-51 Mustang)
• Naval Air Station Atlanta, located in Marietta, was established in 1941 and served as a major training facility for Navy and Marine Corps pilots
  • Trained pilots in the skills needed for aerial combat and reconnaissance missions, such as navigation, gunnery, and bombing techniques
  • Prepared pilots for deployment to the Pacific Theater, where naval aviation played a crucial role in battles like Midway and the Marianas Turkey Shoot

War Industries' Impact on Georgia

Economic Shift and Employment Opportunities

• During World War II, Georgia's economy shifted from primarily agricultural to industrial, with the establishment of numerous war-related industries
  • This shift led to a significant increase in employment opportunities, particularly for women and African Americans, who had previously been excluded from many industrial jobs
  • The economic boom created by the war industries helped to modernize Georgia's infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and utilities, which had lasting effects on the state's post-war development
• The Bell Bomber plant in Marietta produced over 600 B-29 Superfortress bombers, employing more than 28,000 workers at its peak
  • The B-29 Superfortress was a technologically advanced heavy bomber that played a significant role in the bombing campaigns against Japan
• The J.A. Jones Construction Company in Brunswick built 99 Liberty ships, employing over 16,000 workers and significantly contributing to the local economy
  • Liberty ships were mass-produced cargo ships that were crucial for transporting supplies and troops across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

Healthcare and Support Services

• The Battey General Hospital in Rome treated over 20,000 wounded soldiers during the war, providing employment opportunities for medical professionals and support staff
  • The hospital's medical staff included doctors, nurses, and specialists who provided a wide range of medical services, from surgery to rehabilitation
  • Support staff, such as cooks, cleaners, and administrators, were also essential for the smooth operation of the hospital and the care of wounded soldiers

Georgia's Role in Troop Training and Deployment

Infantry and Paratrooper Training

• Fort Benning trained thousands of infantry soldiers, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed for ground combat operations
  • Infantry soldiers were trained in weapons handling, tactics, and physical fitness to prepare them for the rigors of battlefield conditions
• Camp Toccoa specialized in training paratroopers, who were essential for airborne operations during the war
  • Paratroopers underwent rigorous physical training and learned specialized skills, such as parachuting and air-land combat tactics
  • Paratroopers trained at Camp Toccoa were deployed to Europe, where they participated in major campaigns like D-Day and Operation Market Garden

Anti-Aircraft Artillery and Communications Training

• Camp Stewart provided anti-aircraft artillery training, preparing soldiers to defend against enemy air attacks
  • Soldiers learned to operate and maintain various types of anti-aircraft weaponry, such as the 40mm Bofors gun and the 90mm M1 gun
  • Anti-aircraft artillery units trained at Camp Stewart were deployed to Europe and the Pacific, where they provided crucial air defense for ground troops and installations
• Fort Gordon trained soldiers in communications technology, ensuring that military operations could be coordinated effectively
  • Soldiers learned to operate and maintain radios, telegraphs, and other communications equipment
  • Communications specialists trained at Fort Gordon were deployed to various theaters of war, where they played a vital role in maintaining lines of communication between military units and command centers

Deployment to Major Theaters of War

• The soldiers and personnel trained at Georgia's military bases were deployed to various theaters of war, including Europe, the Pacific, and North Africa
  • In Europe, Georgia-trained soldiers participated in major campaigns such as D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge, and the invasion of Germany
  • In the Pacific, Georgia-trained soldiers and pilots fought in battles like Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa
  • In North Africa, Georgia-trained soldiers were involved in the Allied campaign against German and Italian forces, which culminated in the Battle of El Alamein and the expulsion of Axis forces from the region
• The contributions of Georgia-trained soldiers and personnel were crucial to the Allied victory in World War II, as they brought their skills, courage, and dedication to the fight against the Axis powers