Splinter City

Splinter City. . , In March 1942, units of the United States Army Air Corps opened formal operations at what was named the Myrtle Beach Bombing and Gunnery Training Range, which also encompassed the Beach airport., Construction began to meet the urgent needs for combat air crew training. A "wooden city" soon began to take shape in the form of offices, barracks, a hospital and various maintenance and training facilities Humorously, and with a touch of affection, locals began to refer to these wooden structures as "Splinter City." Although crude and impermanent by modern standards, Splinter City allowed the training mission to get fully underway within six months. Several of the wooden buildings were located in the area beginning 1,500 feet southeast of this marker. In 1943, some of the facilities in this area were used to house German prisoners of war., ( adjacent marker ) , , Army Air Corps Base Commanders , . 1942 First Lieutenant Claude W. Davis , 1942 First Lieutenant Ernest E. Fleming , 1942 – 1943 Major Leonard E. Thomas , 1943 Lieutenant Colonel Frank J. Seinbenaler , 1943 – 1945 Colonel John A. Tarro , 1945 Colonel James R. Gunn, Jr. , 1945 – 1946 Colonel Richard O. Harrell , 1946 Colonel Glen C. Nye , 1946 – 1947 Colonel Samuel J. Davis , 1947 Colonel Louis M. Merrick