Exploring Historic Camp Bouse Arizona : Patton's WW2 Desert Warfare "Gizmo" Training Site

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  • Опубліковано 25 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 199

  • @aquachigger
    @aquachigger  Рік тому +66

    I hope you guys like today's little adventure. If so, please let me know. Thanks for watching.

    • @Fried-Pig-Nipples
      @Fried-Pig-Nipples Рік тому

      The 11m on that wooden plaque is an infantry mos. Mine was 95B. If I'm not mistaken, you were 12 something, right?

    • @SandyWolf-
      @SandyWolf- Рік тому +2

      I liked 😁✌

    • @dannydaniels3593
      @dannydaniels3593 Рік тому

      Hey chigg just to let you know they were three ring mini balls

    • @headrot2443
      @headrot2443 Рік тому

      We loved this adventure

    • @westenicho
      @westenicho Рік тому

      11M = mobile infantry MOS

  • @rossmacintosh5652
    @rossmacintosh5652 Рік тому +26

    It was 10,000 troops (not 20k) who trained at Camp Bouse between 1943 and 1944. The 'Gizmo' secret weapon was one the British came up with but requested Patton test. Clearing the distant hills of miners & homesteaders probably made sense given they were testing a light system that could be seen for many miles. The Army needed 35,500 square miles to keep the system secret! Although the gizmo system was never used in battle for the original purpose of blinding the enemy, it was used to facilitate efficient river crossings in the theatre of war.

    • @phillypersonpretzel
      @phillypersonpretzel Рік тому +1

      Thank you for that articulate detail. I love studying history.

    • @chdnorm
      @chdnorm Рік тому +6

      My grandfather trained there, with the 526th armored infantry bn. As far as I know, they never actually used them in combat. They had them in England before D-day, but did not take them across the channel. It was the terrain that negated their usefulness. The idea was to blind the enemy, while the infantry moved in the “cloak of darkness” between the lights. It was not well suited to the close range assaults of the hedgerow country. That was according to my grandfather.
      The units had an interesting service, especially after the CDL tanks were withdrawn. Due to the security clearances required for their work at Bouse, The 526th wound up attached to 12th army group hq as an intelligence unit (TF-T) while C co was detached to serve as the guards for the SHAEF HQ.
      They were primarily tasked with seizing high value targets and intelligence. But, found themselves right in the middle of the German advance during the Battle of the Bulge. In the movie Battle of the Bulge, the scene where Henry Fonda destroys the fuel dump in front of Peiper’s panzer group was based on actions taken by the 526th.

    • @rossmacintosh5652
      @rossmacintosh5652 Рік тому +1

      @@chdnorm Thanks for the information! Must be cool watching the Chigg when you have a family connection to the place.

    • @treepotato9273
      @treepotato9273 Рік тому +1

      That's interesting, thank you. I had no idea it ever actually got used for anything.

    • @chdnorm
      @chdnorm Рік тому +2

      @@rossmacintosh5652
      I’d never seen one of his videos before. Hadn’t searched for anything Camp Bouse related in a few years. But, this video popped up right at the top of my recommendations. That’s a hell of an algorithm they’re tracking us with.
      But yes, cool video.

  • @RK57AZ
    @RK57AZ Рік тому +11

    Hey Chigg,
    You forgot to mention the table that the sign-in box was on.
    It’s a WWII military truck grill. Not sure if it’s from a deuce and a half.
    As always stay safe and healthy.
    Ron

  • @yjkhjghftf
    @yjkhjghftf Рік тому +7

    Thanks for taking us along. My grandmother's 2nd husband was in the tank corps. All I know is that he fought in Africa. No doubt he trained out there somewhere. He passed before I developed an interest in WWII. Uncle Lloyd was a big man who was gentle, kind, and very quiet. Take the time to talk to any old timers you might know. Most of the time they'll take real pleasure in sharing their knowledge and experience with you. Do it while you can.

  • @lilianmcguigan9240
    @lilianmcguigan9240 Рік тому +8

    You would think someone would have clued into the fact that a strobe light is still light in the darkness. I felt that chill as well, thinking about all those soul out there in isolation, thinking about what's coming. So many never came home.

  • @earlt.7573
    @earlt.7573 Рік тому +3

    The metal grill on top of the barbed wire pigtails is a radiator / light guard off a 1940s Dodge or GMC truck. When you said "beatniks in the 60s" made the PEACE signs, first thing popped in my mind was Maynard Krebs, ha,haaa.

  • @speakfreely.1776
    @speakfreely.1776 Рік тому +9

    Another great desert adventure. Thanks for the history and the tour!

  • @luke8210
    @luke8210 Рік тому +1

    Chigg, could you do some camp videos? Setup of your truck, what you cook on ect..
    Thanks!

  • @SusanLadig
    @SusanLadig Рік тому +1

    Thanks Chigg, for honoring the men who kept us free. And I'll wave at you if you pass through Albuquerque!

    • @greggiles7309
      @greggiles7309 Рік тому

      Hirohito's war plans was to destroy the Pacific Fleet then negotiate a Empire Deal.
      Your FreeDoms have only been ever threatened by the Confederacy, and tRumpF.

  • @arthurbolton8477
    @arthurbolton8477 Рік тому +4

    i think that wire sheathing is modern ,some toerag stole a bunch of cable ,and went somewhere quiet to strip it out. cable in the 40s was woven cloth or rubber coated and that looked like plastic. happy hunting.

    • @j.f.christ8421
      @j.f.christ8421 Рік тому

      Weird place to go to strip some cable, but tweakers will be tweakers I guess. The rubber coated stuff would have crumbled away to nothing out in that sun. It rots away just sitting in your house walls, let alone out in the desert.

  • @richardbrady2818
    @richardbrady2818 Рік тому +4

    Thanks for the awesome ride Chigg, I could never get enough of the desert

  • @dannydaniels3593
    @dannydaniels3593 Рік тому +9

    Hi chigg I just got done Detecting
    I found some Civil War bullet's and a few things that are junk. I hope everything is going well with you. I'm having a blast looking at your videos and then going metal detective Have fun

    • @aquachigger
      @aquachigger  Рік тому +3

      I wish you luck out there.

    • @iancameron198
      @iancameron198 Рік тому

      Look up these patents on chem trails
      4686605
      4999637A

  • @kathybrandt6060
    @kathybrandt6060 Рік тому +4

    I always love when you go out to the desert and bring us along. I live in New Jersey right on the edge of the pine barons, so you can tell we have sand but you can’t see anything because of the trees. The desert is a beautiful place and its own right. Again, thank you for taking us along.

  • @viewer1431
    @viewer1431 Рік тому +4

    You were featured briefly in TheWhyFiles YT channels recent video about the M cave haha. Cool to see your name

    • @earlt.7573
      @earlt.7573 Рік тому +1

      I just saw that WF episode pop up, gotta check it out, Hecklefish, AJ, AND Chigg ? HOLY COWOLA !!!

  • @TheOVERMUCH
    @TheOVERMUCH Рік тому +5

    Hi Chig, are you going todo a follow-up on the Kenny case?

  • @nicksweirdchannelofgarbage9928

    Very nice, I find all of your videos fascinating. But I especially love the videos you do out west. Lessons in history, hunts for the missing, and overall a different yet beautiful area. Keep it up Chigg! Happy hunting!

  • @joycest.martin3013
    @joycest.martin3013 Рік тому +2

    Chig, I really look forward to your adventures. Thank you for all of your knowledge of everywhere you go!!!

  • @skyepilotte11
    @skyepilotte11 Рік тому +2

    Thanks for the walk back in time...had to be tough out there in the desert heat...brave souls.

  • @Jaxon_Wii
    @Jaxon_Wii Рік тому +3

    Beautiful cactus

  • @EricReynolds66
    @EricReynolds66 Рік тому +2

    Thanks for the visual history lesson. My grandfather's generation were some tough SOB's.

  • @Digger-rn9yh
    @Digger-rn9yh Рік тому +4

    Awesome video, very interesting!!!! I love the beauty of that spot and the history.

  • @jeremyo8233
    @jeremyo8233 Рік тому

    such another fine adventure Beau!! Thanks for letting me join ya!!

  • @Patrick12780
    @Patrick12780 Рік тому +2

    This is awesome

  • @Even-Bladeren
    @Even-Bladeren Рік тому +1

    Yes it is always interesting to learn about history

  • @rondathiesen9317
    @rondathiesen9317 Рік тому +2

    Chigg this is very exciting. Love these adventure videos. Take care n God Bless.👍😘

  • @slimwantedman6694
    @slimwantedman6694 Рік тому +2

    Good afternoon from Southeast South Dakota

  • @anandrew6641
    @anandrew6641 Рік тому +1

    Interesting US history. Thank you for sharing. I learned something new.

  • @granvillewooster7673
    @granvillewooster7673 Рік тому +1

    Great video brother thank you so much for sharing 👍👍❤️

  • @parkride313
    @parkride313 Рік тому +2

    I wish they would let you look through the 29 palms training area. There is ordinance all over the ground. Still find m1 garand clips. Lots of native artifacts out there as well. I didn't see any desert tortoise for years, then in one year I saw 4.

  • @theraptorsnest5891
    @theraptorsnest5891 Рік тому +2

    I love these adventure videos. I always wanted to just go off and have adventures like these but just haven't ever done it. I should make it a bucket list item and get it done!! Thanks for taking us along Chigg!

  • @dennisbrowning6589
    @dennisbrowning6589 Рік тому

    I enjoy your trips on the history of the army trining areas during world war ll

  • @joemabry9643
    @joemabry9643 Рік тому +4

    I wondered if you ever saw strange things in the sky out there. Thank you.

  • @mercedithcompala8148
    @mercedithcompala8148 Рік тому +1

    Thank you for your Service...for our Country Chigg❤

  • @janblake9468
    @janblake9468 Рік тому +3

    General Patton left the Desert Training Center in July 1942 to help plan the North African invasion. Camp Bouse was constructed a year later so Patton had nothing to do with Bouse. The 'table' supporting the register box is a grille brush guard off a military truck. DTC camps were salvaged and demolished in 1944-45. At 26:46, the hole may have been an underground pantry. At least one Calif camp has a row of them and one is intact. At 28:50, that triangular rock used to be painted with an Army unit insignia.

  • @neillh
    @neillh Рік тому +1

    Thanks for sharing another great adventure 👍

  • @Love2Wander
    @Love2Wander Рік тому

    Close to home will have to check it out. I love the history of the area. Stay safe on your adventures, my friend

  • @trudyhodson7669
    @trudyhodson7669 Рік тому +1

    Wow. Very interesting.

  • @jonathansmith8682
    @jonathansmith8682 Рік тому

    Thanks for sharing your adventure with us. Have you ever explored modoc County in northeastern California, Beautiful high desert country rich history. Last Indian war was fought in the lava beds.thanks again for sharing your videos with us .

  • @SmallWonda
    @SmallWonda Рік тому

    Yes, is fascinating - always enjoy your trips out West. I think the Gizmo is hilarious! Poor buggers!! (when you think they were there for no good real reason!!) Keep safe.

  • @kj7a--
    @kj7a-- Рік тому

    Thanks for another adventure Chigg!

  • @damxgopak457
    @damxgopak457 Рік тому +1

    I drive through bouse often always wondered what was out there thanks for the adventure without the effort.

  • @thurin84
    @thurin84 Рік тому

    always enjoy seeing the ww2 sights chig! thanks for taking us along.

  • @monomarino5349
    @monomarino5349 Рік тому +2

    Sweet visit my friend.

  • @TomFromMN
    @TomFromMN Рік тому +2

    Yay! I'll need an extra large bowl of popcorn and a very large beverage to watch this one!

  • @ryanosourus
    @ryanosourus Рік тому +1

    Thanks for the adventure Chigg!

  • @_DaBoys_
    @_DaBoys_ Рік тому +1

    Gotta love that Arizona pinstripping

  • @rachaelleann9847
    @rachaelleann9847 Рік тому +1

    The most exploring i'll prob ever enjoy love it Chigg cant wait see more

  • @rogerallen6644
    @rogerallen6644 Рік тому

    Interesting little journey!

  • @kevinallman6700
    @kevinallman6700 Рік тому

    Thanks so much for all the hard work you put into your videos.. I have recently gotten into detecting and searching for artifacts here in the UK and know you from river hunters.. your enthusiasm is infectious and love every bit of what you share with us.. I am a recovering addict and learning about history and people's lives in the past is helping me one day at a time.. anyway, once again many thanks from a new fan👍😊

  • @kncochran1
    @kncochran1 Рік тому +2

    Love the video!
    Can't wait to see more!

  • @user-Icicleandfireball
    @user-Icicleandfireball Рік тому +2

    6th like, i love WW2, and the history and how they fought.

  • @ronaldschmuck3901
    @ronaldschmuck3901 Рік тому +1

    Very cool history, something from a kid in Michigan would never get to see. Thanks, Chigg.

  • @RichardCockerill
    @RichardCockerill 11 місяців тому

    really enjoyed this,currently camped in Quartzsite

  • @knine8154
    @knine8154 Рік тому

    Reminds me of the huge IR lights on the Corps m-60 tanks they used in the Zimbales, Philippines training area when I was there.
    Thanks Chigg.

  • @andrewhibbard1820
    @andrewhibbard1820 Рік тому +1

    Love it! I'm on your vacation keep it coming

  • @rockhunter6260
    @rockhunter6260 Рік тому +3

    Kool camp👍🏻

  • @MichaelKilby
    @MichaelKilby Рік тому +1

    Fascinating! Thank you.

  • @kw6919
    @kw6919 Рік тому

    The top of that sign-in desk on Barbed wire rods was a Brush Guard for a Old Army Truck.

  • @HappyHands.
    @HappyHands. Рік тому +2

    5:03 That backhoe sitting out there in the middle of nowhere. Thats about 10k just sitting there doing nothing but dry-rotting. Did they forget where they parked it? 😅

  • @ralphwatten2426
    @ralphwatten2426 Рік тому +2

    With all those cans laying around I'd say that beans was the top secret weapon.

  • @thurin84
    @thurin84 Рік тому

    the british tank museum has one of those gizmo tanks that they jointly developed.

  • @darkspar72
    @darkspar72 Рік тому

    Some soldiers became hippies and went on to become the biggest hippies of all. Hippies who knew how to shoot, use heavy machinary, electrical engineering and sundry other strategic/highly practical skills. The forests and mountains out here are still crawling with them. Much respect. Peace out!

  • @anthonyhro1903
    @anthonyhro1903 Рік тому

    ENJOYED, THANKS !

  • @MsHighpockets
    @MsHighpockets Рік тому

    My Dad PVT Ray Holderman 426th served there in 1943 till shipped out to Germany. Top secret weapon was search lights on tanks but it was never used. My father's ashes are also spread there.

  • @andrewterry1801
    @andrewterry1801 Рік тому +5

    I still think you missed your vocation as a history teacher .
    Amazing story telling

  • @donHooligan
    @donHooligan Рік тому +2

    You had a cameo on Why Files, Chigg!
    a Kenny Veach episode...

  • @Demy1970
    @Demy1970 Рік тому +1

    Just started watching, hope you found some old coins, wow that spike is dangerous

  • @HappyHands.
    @HappyHands. Рік тому +1

    That burro path was interesting . I didn't know burros did that

  • @chrisramsey7598
    @chrisramsey7598 Рік тому +2

    Dude please make some videos of your camps with stories by the fire

  • @rodneyparks6489
    @rodneyparks6489 Рік тому +1

    When I go to the desert , i like to carry a icè chest full of ice . That makes it more bearable, and helps to keep you hydrated !!!

  • @YzUpColors
    @YzUpColors Рік тому

    Chigg!!! Im down the road in vicksburg, come on by!? Old mining town of Winchester...

  • @rockercater
    @rockercater Рік тому

    *BROTHER I can watch you while the family is yelling ,Fighting. YOU take me away Brother...AWESOME VIDEO AGAIN *CATER*

  • @mikenienburg5737
    @mikenienburg5737 Рік тому +1

    The table for the sign in book looks like a WWII dodge grill guard

  • @eastside907ak9
    @eastside907ak9 Рік тому +1

    I like these Arizona ones

  • @charlesbee8740
    @charlesbee8740 Рік тому +1

    Chigg, The wire gate is a Texas gate at least that was what I was told. Really enjoy the desert shows, you should try the Sonoran desert it is so much more pretty that the Mojave desert. It looked like Camp Bouse was at the very end of the Sonoran desert. Keep up the good work.

  • @benroper7290
    @benroper7290 Рік тому +1

    Chig always thinks of the animals. ❤

  • @davidsharpe426
    @davidsharpe426 Рік тому

    I love the Chigg!

  • @AdventureswithLogan60
    @AdventureswithLogan60 Рік тому

    Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family Chigg

  • @48thstateprospecting
    @48thstateprospecting Рік тому +2

    You are very close to quartzite I have a friend with a placer gold claim over there so if you want to grab a gold nugget before you leave that area let me know. That place is huge looking at it from google earth never knew it existed so thanks for sharing the tour and adventure see you on the next one 👍🏼👊🏼

    • @aquachigger
      @aquachigger  Рік тому +2

      Thanks, but I have already headed out of that area. Maybe next time?

    • @48thstateprospecting
      @48thstateprospecting Рік тому +1

      @@aquachigger 👍🏼👊🏼 you bet just say when

  • @TomFromMN
    @TomFromMN Рік тому +1

    Can't believe how fast that half-hour disappeared! Never enough. Didn't they use those stone walkways around some of the Civil War camps?

  • @bextar6365
    @bextar6365 Рік тому +1

    My oldest bro. long time dead now was sent to that area for training before being sent to Germany.
    I think he was 20 at that time,

  • @getting3844
    @getting3844 Рік тому +1

    That is a front brush guard of dodge wc series (table top).

  • @normpaddle
    @normpaddle Рік тому

    My great uncle was there. He fought with Patton at the Bulge and lost his leg. Tough bastards!

  • @robertdiehl1281
    @robertdiehl1281 Рік тому +6

    So I thought I would look and see how many ground troops did not come home from the war in Europe/WW2. Google says 141,000. With an additional 42,500 in the skies and at sea. Did not include pacific theater. So Chigg your chills are certainly for real.

  • @horntoad744
    @horntoad744 Рік тому

    Were you between gila bend and Ajo I worked on target area one and two I was stationed in gila bend for almost 4 years
    Also if you were there ajo have a prisoner of warcamp just north of the town like your video very

  • @markcherriman6136
    @markcherriman6136 Рік тому +1

    We Brits used a similar idea and called it the Canal Defence Light mounted on a LEE/Grant tank .

    • @stubstoo6331
      @stubstoo6331 Рік тому

      Someone just commented that the British came up with the idea and I guess the testing happened in Arizona. Apparently it was used at River crossings to blind the Germans

  • @alanhall3297
    @alanhall3297 Рік тому +2

    I like your comment "one day comes the mother. One day comes the wolf. Ain't that the truth

  • @randlerichardson5826
    @randlerichardson5826 Рік тому

    Interesting

  • @MoHelal4000
    @MoHelal4000 Рік тому

    Afternoon sir 😊 12:10 AM here .. Egypt

  • @vickykirts7956
    @vickykirts7956 Рік тому +1

    Shade?

  • @danclark3436
    @danclark3436 Рік тому +1

    The rocks in a triangle are in the shape of an Armor division patch. I suspect that what what they were for.

  • @cyndeecollings9461
    @cyndeecollings9461 Рік тому

    CHIGG I WISH I KNEW WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO BE THIS WEEKEND I WOULD LOVE TO MEET UP WITH YOU AND EXPLORE WITH YOU. I GREW UP NEAR BOISE IN PARKER AND LOVED GOING OUT THERE.

  • @EggnogonthebogProductions
    @EggnogonthebogProductions Рік тому +2

    The Gizmo. Such a bad idea. LOL!

  • @grandpamoonstone7772
    @grandpamoonstone7772 Рік тому +1

    That was a BBQ Grill for the front of a Military Truck!😂

  • @interestingtimes6439
    @interestingtimes6439 Рік тому

    I cannot imagine anyone using that giant water pit in the summer... the water would evaporate as fast as it was being pumped from the wells

  • @dougalexander7204
    @dougalexander7204 Рік тому

    Woodrow, who lives in the trailer next door, comes over to watch Chigg on my plasma tv and borrow a few adult beverages. He said he’s beginning to think this is aquachigger’s twin brother, sandchigger. IDK.

  • @jeremyneff6331
    @jeremyneff6331 Рік тому +1

    that thing mounted on the post looks like a brush guard for a jeep

  • @kennethrobertson6567
    @kennethrobertson6567 Рік тому +4

    Be careful out there!

  • @brucethegoose691
    @brucethegoose691 Рік тому

    Did you find Kenny out there.

  • @WaterTheTree1776
    @WaterTheTree1776 Рік тому

    Who could have imagined that a giant light would be a soft target.