Souvenir Book 197th Coast Artillery ... (Aa), Camp Hulen, Texas. (Cover Title)

THE 197TH ANTIAIRCRAFT REGIMENT

Publication: Privately printed, n d (ca 1940), N P

First edition. Stapled 6" x 9" brown printed wrappers with titles and unit insignia printed in black on the front and rear cover, n. p. (39 pp.), numerous illustrations from photographs. Camp Hulen was a military training camp near Palacios, Texas, operating from 1925 until 1946. At one time, it supported the largest concentration of troops for field training in the U. S. military. In 1940, the War Department leased Camp Hulen from the Texas National Guard for antiaircraft training of National Guard units. At its peak, the camp had facilities for 12,000 military personnel. It continued as a training facility until 1944. The 197th Coast Artillery was one of these units. The oldest antiaircraft National Guard unit in the U.S., it was part of the New Hampshire National Guard. During World War II, it was stationed in Australia as part of the defense against a feared Japanese invasion. This souvenir brochure shows group images of the various batteries making up the unit and its commanding officer. There are photographs of training exercises, camp scenes, recreation, and social events including scenes from nearby Cuero and Palacious. Among the numerous images is a double page panoramic view of Camp Hulen in 1940. Also included is a history of the regiment and its unit. Very scarce with WorldCat locating only the copies at the United States War College and Yale. Faint evidence of a vertical crease to the front cover and minor wear to the top corner, else a near fine copy of a scarce item.