Staging areas for new troops arriving in the ETO (European Theater of Operations), were known as "Cigarette Camps". Each camp was named after a brand of cigarette for security reasons. Referring to camps without any indication of geographical location help to block information leaks to the enemy. After V-E Day (Victory in Europe) the camps were converted to redeployment centers. An estimated 3 million American troops either entered or left Europe through the Le Havre area camps.
Major Elmer W. Prince of Morgantown, W. Va. at Camp Philip Morris, Le Havre, France
Date:
1946/03
Description:
United States Army Major Elmer Prince stands outside his two man tent in Camp Philip Morris. This "cigarette camp" could hold up to 35,000 men. In 1946, men in all camps were waiting for their number to be called to board a "Victory Ship" home. The port at Le Havre became known as the "Gateway to America".
Tented Billets at Camp Philip Morris, Le Havre, France
Date:
1946/03
Description:
While enduring the long waiting period to go home, most GIs had less than ideal living conditions, as one soldier wrote, "Under the floor of the tents the rats grew to cat size and sounded as through they were wearing boots when they tramped around while the men trying to sleep ..."
Red Cross Club at Camp Philip Morris, Le Havre. France
Date:
1946/03
Description:
The front of the Red Cross Club at Camp Philip Morris. Since camps did not have bathing facilities, the Red Cross shower room was usually the first place visited by soldiers with a 24 hour pass.
WAC and French War Bride Area At Camp Philip Morris, Le Havre, France
Date:
1946/03
Description:
A fence separates the WAC (Women's Army Corps) and French War Brides living areas from the rest of the camp. There were approximately 6,500 French War Brides, many left France with their husbands to live in America.
