Bouse in La Paz County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Camp Bouse
The 701st Tank Battalion
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 14, 2010
1. Camp Bouse Marker
Central Europe Northern France Rhineland
The 701st tank battalion was activated 3/28/43 at Camp Campbell, KY. Here 553 young men and officers began their journey into history. These men began their basic training and for many saw a tank for the first time.
The 701st relocated to Fort Knox, for further training. The battalion received orders on 12/8/43 to relocate to Camp Bouse, the mysterious secret camp. The men were introduced to the Grant Tank, a WW I designed tank which now had a 13 million candlepower light, "The Gizmo" mounted in the turret. Thus began the canal defense light project training.
The 701st left Bouse for Camp Kilmer, N. J. on 3/27/44 and then onto England aboard the R. M. S. Mauretania. The BN arrived at Liverpool on 5/1/44 and trained at Puncheston, Wales.
The 701st landed on Utah Beach, Normandy, France on 8/24/44. Here, most of the CDL Grant Tanks were replaced by Sherman Tanks.
The BN moved north through France and Belgium and on December 21st moved out from its positions at Heerlen, Holland and crossed the Siegfried Line into Germany at Uback. The 701st crossed the Roer River and saw its heaviest combat near Tetz, Hottorf, Viersen and Krefeld beginning on 2/25/45. The BN crossed the Rhine on 3/29/45 and pushed through Munster,
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This monument is dedicated to all these young soldiers and officers who gave of themselves, and especially to those 48 members of the BN who lost their lives in battle for the freedom of mankind.
Erected 1998 by Lost Dutchman and Billy Holcomb Chapters of E Clampus Vitus and the 701st Tank Battalion Association and the Bouse Chamber of Commerce. (Marker Number 88.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Desert Training Center, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1944.
Location. 33° 55.899′ N, 114° 0.297′ W. Marker is in Bouse, Arizona, in La Paz County. It is on Broadway Avenue (Arizona Route 72 at milepost 27) south of Main Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bouse AZ 85325, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Arizona’s Colorado River Valley, in the Sonoran Desert, and in the Yuma Area. It is also in the American 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: George L. Wendt (here, next to this marker);
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 14, 2010
2. Camp Bouse Marker
Lower Plaque:
Plaque placed by the Lost Dutchman and Billy Holcomb Chapters of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus and the 701st Tank Battalion Association with the Co-operation of the Bouse Chamber of Commerce.January 10, 1998
Plaque placed by the Lost Dutchman and Billy Holcomb Chapters of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus and the 701st Tank Battalion Association with the Co-operation of the Bouse Chamber of Commerce.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 14, 2010
3. Monument Row, Bouse, Arizona
This marker is located to the right of the flagpole.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,946 times since then and 22 times this year. Last updated on November 3, 2014, by Michael Kindig of Elk Grove, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 26, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
