Hi all, Does anyone know of a process diagram that shows the flow of wounded from the front? Does it start with a forward aid station or dressing station or ???? then from there, how does the casualty get to the next stage and what was that called? thanks in advance Iain
I found this in an undated wartime book 'R.A.M.C.', by Anthony Cotterell.. 1. Casualties are carried from the fighting line by Regimental Stretcher Bearers to the Regimental Aid Post where they receive First Aid from the M.O. 2. They are then taken to the Casualty Collecting Point and transferred to ambulances. 3. Advanced Dressing Station. Casualties classified into three groups: 1. Suffering from shock. 2. Requiring immediate operation. 3. Fit to travel. 4. Group 1. Casualties transferred to Field Dressing Station for blood transfusion and other treatments for shock. 5. Group 2. Casualties go to the Advanced Surgical Centre for emergency operations. 6. Group 3. Casualties go directly to the Casualty Clearing Station, which is equipped for all forms of treatment and X-ray examination. 7. All casualties are then transferred to the Forward General Hospital where, after further treatment, lightly wounded return to their units, others go by ambulance train to the Base Hospital.
Great stuff! Dad was wounded in Tunisia in '43 and admitted to hospital after the fighting had ended on 14 May. this info would explain why it took a while to get to a base hospital which I would imagine would be in Tripoli?
Great stuff! Dad was wounded in Tunisia in '43 and admitted to hospital after the fighting had ended on 14 May. this info would explain why it took a while to get to a base hospital which I would imagine would be in Tripoli? Tripoli and Tobruk both had 'hospital' set-ups (the caves were used at Tobruk). From there serious casualties were put onto Hospital ships and transferred to Alexandria. My dads ship carried over 50,000 WW2 casualties from 43-45.
Tripoli and Tobruk both had 'hospital' set-ups (the caves were used at Tobruk). From there serious casualties were put onto Hospital ships and transferred to Alexandria. My dads ship carried over 50,000 WW2 casualties from 43-45. Never thought of Alexandria, that would put back the date of his wounding even further, making more sense, cheers.
I forgot to mention Benghazi, too. Also if you are trying to do some calculations, bear in mind the following. The Hospital ships were running a shuttle. I don't know all of those involved in the run between Tunisia/Libya and Alexandria, only that my dad's vessel was the HS Llandovery Castle - a former Union Castle round Africa mail ship. It carried 89 medical staff and had 450 sick beds but probably also took more as walking wounded. The average shuttle trip usually took appx two days one way, plus one day in a port of embarkation before turning around. Note: From June 43 onwards the Llandovery Castle (along with other vessels) was engaged in the Sicily and later Italian landings. In 44 she took part in the D-Day events in Normany, and particularly at Cherbourg.
Skimmod - Bodston's effort was the theory - but was always subject to alteration due to circumstances- in my own case - I lay on the battlefield for some 8-9 hours before being picked up - to the RAP - then given a cigarette - for Shock -NO M.O.- I didn't smoke then - two hours or so later on a four stretcher jeep- sound asleep - to the CCS about 50 miles away at Ancona - just rested - shaved and fed for three days- then thrown out to a convalescent camp as they needed the beds - missed the visiting MO for days as I couldn't walk too far or fast - or dress - or sleep - finally caught up with him -he had a good look - then back to the CCS for a week - Hospital ship to Bari for treatment - not enough time for surgery -2000 beds were all full - then Blighty bound on another Hospital ship - BUT- we were running short of experienced bodies by then and so with two dozen more - dumped off at Catania for surgery and recovery for three months - then back up the line after one week convalescence at Torre Annunziata - altogether - just over six months ...then happily the war ended before I fired another shot ....still a good system - apart from losing the Blighty trip .... Cheers
Blimey Tom! that sounds quite an experience! 8-9 hours is a long time. I had a training incident with a helicopter many years ago and the 4 hours I lay on my back with various bones in the wrong place waiting for help to come was rather unappealing, but 8-9 hours.... Blimey!! The cases I am looking at are near Ypres in 1940. Hastily conducted defence, but there are signs that an RAP was set up in a barn about 300 metres back from the line and a farm building near to the BHQ (another 800 metres back) was reported as full of wounded awaiting collection during the action. I can only presume the people at that time were all trying to follow the book as none of them had any other experience to fall back on. Thanks for the reality check! it's sometimes so easy for us to look at the documents and imagine that's how it was.
The TRUX section of this site has a description of the 1944/45 setup at the bottom of this post. Above it are the War Establishments for most (if not all) RAMC units in 21st Army Group. Noel
The TRUX section of this site has a description of the 1944/45 setup at the bottom of this post. Above it are the War Establishments for most (if not all) RAMC units in 21st Army Group. Noel Thanks to all concerned for the TRUX section of this site, just found it through this post, very informative thanks for posting the info.
RAMC book by Cotterel dates from latter half of 1942; Trux 21AG RAMC info invaluable, but could any kind person give a confirmed source of 1944-45 vehicle markings for a lorry in use with a Field Surgical Unit? i am guessing 21AG on one side and an (unknown) numeral on a black square on the other - is this correct, and what numeral please? Thanks
AndrewM you will possibly appreciate that it is no use asking the wounded any numbers on the ambulance taking them away for treatment as that would be he last thing on their minds before - during and after their trip.. Cheers
AndrewM you will possibly appreciate that it is no use asking the wounded any numbers on the ambulance taking them away for treatment as that would be he last thing on their minds before - during and after their trip.. Cheers definitely appreciate that!
