Near Yuma in Yuma County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Italians at the Yuma Test Branch

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 14, 2010

1. Italians at the Yuma Test Branch Marker

Inscription. During World War II, the Yuma proving ground of the United States Army Corps of Engineers was known as the Yuma Test Branch, which was used as a floating-bridge test facility. By 1944, more allied troop support was needed to conduct the bridge tests at the Yuma Test Branch. By this time, Italy had surrendered to the United States. A group of Italian prisoners-of-war, who were captured in North Africa, pledged their loyalty and support to the United States. These Italians were then formed into two Italian service units and were stationed at the Yuma Test Branch from 1944 to 1945 to assist in testing floating bridges. In addition to their bridge-building capability, they were talented in fine art, culinary art and stonemasonry. This concrete-lined stone-faced paint shed, decorated with three castles bearing the United States Army Corps of Engineers insignia and one castle inscribed with the word "Italy" was constructed by them to facilitate the safe storage of paint at the Yuma Test Branch. Because the temperature was cooler underground, the paint was stored below ground under all of the stone decorations, a method which

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

was free of fire hazards.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Places • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1944.

Location. 32° 52.553′ N, 114° 27.799′ W. Marker is near Yuma, Arizona, in Yuma County. It is on Laguna Dam Road 0.1 miles east of California / Arizona border, on the left when traveling east. Marker is west of Interstate 95. At the California/Arizona Border Laguna Dam Road changes name to Imperial Dam Road (County Hwy S24). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Yuma AZ 85365, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Colorado River Valley,

in the Sonoran Desert,

and in the Yuma Area.

It is also in the American Borderlands

and in the Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also the Gadsden Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: World War II Bridge Test Site (here, next to this marker);

Italians at the Yuma Test Branch Marker and Paint-Shed image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 14, 2010

2. Italians at the Yuma Test Branch Marker and Paint-Shed

The nearby World War II Bridge Test Site marker is seen on the right. This marker is on the left.

Camp Laguna (approx. 5.4 miles away); Picacho Mines (approx. 12 miles away in California); Fort Yuma (approx. 13.4 miles away in California); Fray Francisco Hermenegildo Garcés (approx. 13.4 miles away in California); Site of Mission la Purisima Concepcion (approx. 13.4 miles away in California); Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail (approx. 13½ miles away); The All-important Colorado River Crossing (approx. 13½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yuma.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Site of Mission San Pedro y San Pablo de Bicuner (was approx. 5.1 miles away in California but has been confirmed missing).

Concrete-Lined Stone-Faced Paint Shed image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 14, 2010

3. Concrete-Lined Stone-Faced Paint Shed

Italians at the Yuma Test Branch image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 14, 2010

4. Italians at the Yuma Test Branch

Castle inscribed with the word "Italy"

Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2018. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,112 times since then and 76 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 24, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.