Camp Edwards, Massachusetts Northwest Area

Merely a part of the sprawling WWII training facility at Camp Edwards, MA.

This engaging and uncommon panoramic photograph was copyrighted and published around 1942 by W.R. Thompson & Co. of Richmond, Virginia. It shows a sweeping view of Camp Edwards, dedicated in 1938 as the new home of the Massachusetts National Guard. It was leased by the U.S. Army in 1940 as part of the mobilization strategy for World War II and quickly expanded to house nearly 30,000 soldiers. After training thousands of troops for anti-aircraft and amphibious units, the facility was converted into a hospital and prisoner-of-war camp.

The image presents a completely cleared landscape, punctuated by dirt roads and rows of newly constructed barracks, offices, medical facilities, etc. Several churches can be identified by their steeples, likely each for a different denomination. The letters ‘XO’ in blue ink presumably mark the headquarters of the Commanding Officer. It appears as though trees have been faintly drawn in post-production, perhaps to present some form of natural life.