By SALINA POST
Salina Post proudly presents Flashback Friday in partnership with the Smoky Hill Museum. Enjoy a weekly tidbit of local history from the staff at Salina Post and the Smoky Hill Museum as we present "Salina-Flashback Fridays."
Camp Phillips
Amid World War II, a significant transformation occurred in Saline County, Kansas, with the establishment of Camp Phillips, a World War II Army post that played a pivotal role in the war effort.
From Farmland to Military Installation
In May 1942, the federal government requisitioned over 45,000 acres of farmland in Saline County to construct Camp Phillips, displacing 300 families.
Verna Brax Smith, a resident affected by the condemnation, recounted the challenges faced by these families: "We had 15 days, that was our notice... we couldn’t move during the day... the roads were packed with big machinery."
Rapid Construction and Facilities
Architectural planning and preliminary survey work for Camp Phillips began on May 12, 1942, with actual construction starting on May 29.
By December 31, 1942, the construction was completed, and the facility was officially handed over to the Army engineers on January 30, 1943. The camp covered 69 square miles and included facilities for 36,027 troops. It featured a 1,726-bed hospital, chapels, recreation buildings, troop housing, firing ranges, obstacle courses, movie theaters, and a replica German village.
Additionally, a prisoner-of-war camp housed over 1,000 German and Italian soldiers.
Operations and Training
The first troop train arrived at Camp Phillips on September 24, 1942, and the Salina Cantonment was officially named Camp Phillips on October 6.
By November 20, the 94th Infantry Division had partially arrived. Troops typically trained at Camp Phillips for six months before moving to other locations or overseas.
The camp hosted four infantry divisions and 19 non-divisional units, including the 94th, 80th, 79th, and 44th Infantry Divisions, which were all assigned to the European theater.
Deactivation and Aftermath
Camp Phillips was deactivated on October 27, 1944. The dismantling of the camp began in June 1945, with many buildings repurposed for civilian use. By 1946, 440 barracks had been shipped to universities for temporary student housing.
Today, the Smoky Hill Weapons Range occupies part of the former Camp Phillips site. Of the original 44,090 acres, 32,000 acres remain under the control of the War Department.