Fort Ritchie in Washington County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Military Intelligence Training Center

Photographed By Craig Swain, May 15, 2010

1. Military Intelligence Training Center Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

In the early days of World War II, Camp Ritchie, then a National Guard training camp, was taken over by the federal government. A Military Intelligence Training Center was established to train intelligence units.

A tight wall of security was drawn around the post and little was known of these intelligence activities until the war ended.

German and Japanese uniforms, weapons and equipment were common sights on the post. The center was closed in 1945 and Camp Ritchie was returned to the Maryland National Guard.

Can Opener
You are standing in front of a German 37 mm PAK anti-tank gun. It is typical of the German and Japanese equipment used for training here during World War II.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.

Location. 39° 42.369′ N, 77° 29.644′ W. Marker is in Fort Ritchie, Maryland, in Washington County. Marker is at the intersection of Boyd Street and Barrick Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Boyd Street. Located on the grounds of old Fort Ritchie. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cascade MD 21719, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Robert F. Barrick Memorial Library (a few steps from this marker); WW II Veterans Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); D-Day Anniversary (about 400 feet away); The Ice Lakes (approx. ¼ mile away); War Returns to South Mountain (approx. 1.1 miles away); Old Trolley Line (approx. 1.2 miles away in Pennsylvania); Dr. Henry Harbaugh (approx. 2.1 miles away in Pennsylvania); Monterey Academy (approx. 2.2 miles away in Pennsylvania). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Ritchie.

More about this marker. On the marker are photos of captured equipment used at Fort Richie.

Markers in Front of the Barrick Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, May 15, 2010

2. Markers in Front of the Barrick Library

Concrete Pad for Anti-Tank Gun image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, May 15, 2010

3. Concrete Pad for Anti-Tank Gun

The gun is no longer on display, but the pad where it stood is next to the marker.

School Training Detachment Organization image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, May 15, 2010

4. School Training Detachment Organization

This marker displays the organization chart for the composite school unit hosting the demonstration troops. These troops used captured equipment to depict German or Japanese troops for training purposes. As noted in the chart these included not only standard infantry troops but also specialties such as anti-tank, artillery and engineering troops.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2017. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,085 times since then and 30 times this year. Last updated on April 25, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 23, 2010, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.