Camp Pilot Knob was at the southern end
of the California-Arizona Maneuver Area (CAMA) just north of Yuma,
Arizona. The 6th and 85th Infantry Divisions trained here. To
reach the site, go north one mile on Sidewinder Road from its
junction with Interstate Highway 8 just northwest of Yuma. The
camp can be seen from Sidewinder Road.
Source: World War II Sites in
the United States: A Tour Guide and Directory by Richard E. Osbourne
Corps
of Engineers History
Camp Pilot Knob was established in 1943
by the War Department when they secured 4,004.75 acres of desert
land as part of the California-Arizona Maneuver Area (CAMA),
later named the Desert Training Center, for Camp Pilot Knob.
The camp was designed as a temporary location to train troops
(initialy the 85th Infantry Division) in desert warfare. There
are records indicating the presence of four (4) firing ranges
utilizing up to .30 caliber ammunition and the only structures
erected on the land were temporary latrines and pyramidal wood
frame tents.
Camp Pilot Knob, is located five miles
to the northwest of Yuma, Arizona. The map coordinates are latitude
32°, 44', 25" north and longitude 114°, 43', 10"
west. The site is located on the Quechan Tribe of the. Fort Yuma
Indian Reservation.
Source: Los Angeles District,
US Army Corps of Engineers
California State Military
Department