Bitter Springs

 is a New California Republic base in the far northeastern Mojave Wasteland. The NCR seized the town from local tribals during the Bitter Springs Massacre. Many of those killed belonged to the Great Khans, which is why the Khans are now trying to destroy it. Great Khan iconography and graffiti can be found about the camp illustrating their previous ownership.

Layout
The camp consists of the NCR tents to the north and refugee tents at the south end of the camp. The doctor's tent is amongst the NCR tents facing the refugees and Captain Gilles can usually be found sat by the campfire at the centre.

Related Quests

 * No, Not Much
 * Climb Ev'ry Mountain
 * Bitter Springs Infirmary Blues
 * I Forgot to Remember to Forget

Bitter Springs Massacre
The Bitter Springs Massacre is an event mentioned in the graphic novel All Roads which came with the Collector's Edition of Fallout:New Vegas and is also referenced by the characters Boone, Manny Vargas and Bitter-Root during gameplay. In several instances it is revealed that the New California Republic massacred local tribals at Bitter Springs, including the women and almost all of the children (lone survivor on the latter) in their bid to secure the Mojave Wasteland.

Boone's Account
A number of Khans were tracked to the area by the NCR many years ago. The NCR believed it to be their base of operations, and sent a large detachment of troops to retake the area. The 1st Recon Sniper Squad, Boone included, was sent to the only retreat point from Bitter Springs, to cut off their escape. Little did the NCR realize that Bitter Spring was the home of Khan women and children. As the Khans were pushed out, 1st Recon was ordered to fire on those retreating. Radio contact with the NCR was "sketchy", not understanding that the situation involved unarmed civilians. Superiors ordered them to "fire until [you're] out of ammo". 1st Recon obeyed, and what happened at Bitter Springs has had a large psychological impact on Boone, motivating him to leave the NCR.

Chance's Account
The history through the eyes of the Great Khans differs from that of Boone, in it the NCR are portrayed as being just as brutal as Caesar's Legion when it comes to pursuing their political agenda for a given area. There was no miscommunication with command, the NCR had standing orders to kill everyone as evidenced by their infantry simply storming into the town and opening fire on its residents (as illustrated in the panel for the massacre). 1st Recon is not seen at all during Chance's flashback, and none of the survivors had any difficulty in retreating. The entire massacre was carried out by regular NCR infantry, not 1st Recon. It had a significant psychological impact on Chance, driving him to the use of drugs, and quitting speaking all together.

Conclusions
These contradictory accounts are likely nothing more than another continuity error in the writing of the graphic novel and game, the player can ultimately decide which account they wish to support during gameplay themselves as both are canon material. (On the other hand two contradictory accounts by two opponents in war are normal and the truth perhaps lies somewhere inbetween.) The indisputable facts of the massacre however are that the NCR carried out the brutal murders of women and children, the event psychologically scarred key characters involved and the Great Khans are now bitter enemies with the NCR.

Notable Loot

 * Salesman Weekly on a cot with a refugee

Appearances
appears in Fallout: New Vegas.

Bugs

 * Walking up the stairs at Bitter Springs will often crash the PS3 version of the game, requiring a hard reset. Recommend saving before going near this location.