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, near Columbus, was originally founded in 1918 but became one of the Army's primary infantry training centers during World War II. It trained thousands of infantry soldiers in ground combat skills, weapons handling, tactics, and physical fitness. Camp Toccoa (discussed below) is sometimes confused with Fort Benning because both are linked to the famous Easy Company story, but they served different functions.
Camp Stewart, now known as Fort Stewart, was established in 1940 near Hinesville. It operated as an anti-aircraft artillery training center, preparing soldiers to defend against enemy air attacks. Trainees learned to operate weapons like the 40mm Bofors gun and the 90mm M1 gun. Anti-aircraft units from Camp Stewart deployed to both Europe and the Pacific.
Fort Gordon, near Augusta, was established in 1941 as a major training center for the U.S. Army Signal Corps. Soldiers there learned to operate and maintain communications equipment such as radios and telegraphs. Reliable communication was essential for coordinating operations across vast distances, so Signal Corps personnel trained at Fort Gordon served in virtually every theater of the war.
Camp Toccoa, in Stephens County, opened in 1942 as a paratrooper training facility. This is where Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, completed their grueling initial training before jump school at Fort Benning. Paratroopers from Camp Toccoa played vital roles in the D-Day invasion and Operation Market Garden. Their story was later depicted in the HBO series Band of Brothers.
Air Force and Naval Bases
Robins Field (later Robins Air Force Base), near Warner Robins, was established in 1942. It served as a major maintenance and logistics depot, keeping aircraft like the B-17 Flying Fortress and P-51 Mustang in fighting condition. Without reliable repair and supply operations like those at Robins, combat squadrons couldn't stay in the air.
Naval Air Station Atlanta, located in Marietta, opened in 1941 as a training facility for Navy and Marine Corps pilots. Trainees learned navigation, gunnery, and bombing techniques needed for aerial combat and reconnaissance. Many of these pilots deployed to the Pacific Theater, where naval aviation proved decisive in battles like Midway.
War Industries' Impact on Georgia
Economic Shift and Employment Opportunities
Before the war, Georgia's economy was heavily agricultural. The arrival of war industries changed that rapidly, creating thousands of industrial jobs and drawing workers from farms and small towns into factories.
- The Bell Bomber plant in Marietta produced over 600 B-29 Superfortress bombers and employed more than 28,000 workers at its peak. The B-29 was one of the most technologically advanced aircraft of the war, used extensively in the strategic bombing campaigns against Japan.
- The J.A. Jones Construction Company shipyard in Brunswick built 99 Liberty ships and employed over 16,000 workers. Liberty ships were mass-produced cargo vessels designed to transport supplies and troops across the Atlantic and Pacific. Brunswick's shipyard became a major economic engine for the coastal region.
These industries opened doors for workers who had previously been shut out of many industrial jobs, particularly women and African Americans. Beyond the jobs themselves, the war effort modernized Georgia's infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and utilities, laying groundwork for the state's post-war economic growth.
Healthcare and Support Services
Battey General Hospital in Rome treated over 20,000 wounded soldiers during the war. The facility employed doctors, nurses, surgeons, and rehabilitation specialists, along with the support staff needed to keep a large hospital running. For a smaller city like Rome, the hospital represented a significant source of employment and brought medical expertise to the region.
Georgia's Role in Troop Training and Deployment
Training Across Specialties
Georgia's bases covered a wide range of military specialties, which meant the state contributed to nearly every aspect of the war effort:
- Infantry at Fort Benning: ground combat, weapons, and battlefield tactics
- Paratroopers at Camp Toccoa: parachute operations, airborne assault tactics, and extreme physical conditioning
- Anti-aircraft artillery at Camp Stewart: air defense using various gun systems
- Communications at Fort Gordon: radio and telegraph operation, equipment maintenance, and field communications
This variety made Georgia one of the most important training states in the country.
Deployment to Major Theaters of War
Soldiers and personnel trained at Georgia's bases served across all major theaters:
- Europe: Georgia-trained troops participated in D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge, and the push into Germany.
- Pacific: Soldiers and pilots fought at Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.
- North Africa: Georgia-trained soldiers took part in the Allied campaign against German and Italian forces.
The sheer number of troops who passed through Georgia's training facilities meant the state's contributions touched nearly every major campaign of the war.