Division Hill

When German troops attacked Poland on September 1, 1939, hope of peace in Europe vanished, and the crisis led the United States to accelerate preparations for possible war. By late 1940 an Emergency Construction Program was underway at Fort Meade, and after being federalized in February 1941, the 29th Infantry Division was assigned to one of the post's hastily built cantonment areas, where it reached full combat strength and completed its initial infantry training. The large building atop this hill served as the division's headquarters. After deploying overseas, the 29th assaulted the Normandy beachhead on June 6, 1944, and took part in the Northern France, Rhineland, and Central European campaigns. In June 1942 the 76th Infantry Division arrived at Fort Meade, and its headquarters was again located in the building atop this hill. After deploying, the 76th participated in the Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central European campaigns. The building was later occupied by the headquarters staff of Army Ground Forces Replacement Depot No. 1, which shipped over one and one-half million soldiers overseas. In 1945 it became a separation center and processed over 400,000 soldiers back to civilian life.

Fort Meade, Maryland · United States