Camp Harahan

29°56′36″N 90°11′10″W / 29.94333°N 90.18611°W / 29.94333; -90.18611

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

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 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. ^[4]

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. ^[5] The 721st deployed to the CBI Theater.

The camp was later used to hold German and Italian prisoners-of-war (POWs). ^[6]

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  Animal Remount Station