Cape Elizabeth in Cumberland County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)
National Guard
Photographed by Craig Doda, July 2, 2018
1. National Guard Marker
Inscription.
National Guard. . The 240th Coast Artillery Regiment of the Maine National Guard was created to assist the 8th Coast Artillery Regiment in time of war. In 1930, a formal National Guard camp was laid out at the fort with mess halls and concrete slabs for tents. Each year, for the first two weeks in July, the regiment conducted encampments to practice firing and train for searchlight and anti-aircraft operations. In 1940, the men were called to active duty and served through World War II in the Portland Harbor Defenses., In 1941, Fort Williams became the regimental headquarters for the 240th Coast Artillery. Officers of the 8th and 240th regiments participated in exercises to test their response to fictitious enemy attacks by air, land, and sea., Although never engaged in hostile actions, after the declaration of war on December 8, 1941, the regiments at Fort Williams were in a constant state of wartime readiness with training and alerts intensified., Fort Williams was the last army post in Maine when it closed in 1962.
The 240th Coast Artillery Regiment
of the Maine National Guard was
created to assist the 8th Coast
Artillery Regiment in time of war.
In 1930, a formal National Guard
camp was laid out at the fort with
mess halls and concrete slabs for
tents. Each year, for the first two
weeks in July, the regiment
conducted encampments to practice
firing and train for searchlight and
anti-aircraft operations. In 1940,
the men were called to active duty
and served through World War II
in the Portland Harbor Defenses.
In 1941, Fort Williams became
the regimental headquarters for
the 240th Coast Artillery.
Officers of the 8th and 240th
regiments participated in
exercises to test their response
to fictitious enemy attacks by
air, land, and sea.
Although never engaged in hostile
actions, after the declaration of
war on December 8, 1941,
the regiments at Fort Williams
were in a constant state of
wartime readiness with training
and alerts intensified.
Fort Williams was the last
army post in Maine when it closed
in 1962.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is December 8, 1941.
Location. 43° 37.347′ N, 70° 12.59′ W. Marker is in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, in Cumberland County. It is on Shore Road, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cape Elizabeth ME 04107, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Southern Maine Coast. It is also in the American Northeast and in New England. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Battery Blair (here,
Credits. This page was last revised on December 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 245 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on December 5, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. 4. submitted on November 28, 2021, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
