Fake Nazi Training “Village” at Camp Hood, Texas (1940s)

Fake Gestapo Headquarters, Ft. Hood, TX
Fake Gestapo Headquarters, Ft. Hood, TX

In the 1940s, Camp Hood in Killeen, TX built a fake Nazi training village for hand to hand combat.  These stills from a Santa Fe Railroad promotional film show a few key areas around the village, including Gestapo headquarters–conveniently identified with the “Gestapo” sign at top.

Fake Gestapo Headquarters, Ft. Hood, TX
Fake Gestapo Headquarters, Camp Hood, TX

Remember, if this looks like an Old West town, this is Texas, after all.  The sign on the tree says, “Think Dammit.”

Nazi Town Camp Hood
Nazi Town Camp Hood

The town had a rubble section to simulate bombed out masonry buildings.

Fake Nazi Rubble Camp Hood
Fake Nazi Rubble Camp Hood

As well as wood frame buildings for searching and destroying the ersatz Germans.

Nazi Village Camp Hood
Nazi Village Camp Hood

The top of Gestapo headquarters had a white swastika flag that could be unfurled when American troops captured it.

Camp Hood Nazi Training Village Postcard
Camp Hood Nazi Training Village Postcard

By Lee Wallender

Deception, influence, fakes, illusions, themed environments, simulations, secret places, secret infrastructure, imagined places, dreamscapes, movie sets and props, evasions, camouflage, studio backlots, miniatures.

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