My visit to the National Archives today did not uncover any further information for my research into my Granddads regiment and my pending trip, but it did produce some very interesting documents, these are under the heading "7 Amoured Division Medical Administrative Iinstructions" and covers some real intresting aspects, which are most likely overlooked when we think of the 7th Armoured Division. I will get round to uploading the documents but in the meantime I give you some idea of what they cover and a little of what is written Medical Admin Instructions for Operation "Dauntless" dated 23 June 1944 - this give all the divisional medical units, their responsibilities and their movements. Misuse of Stetchers and ambulance cars - Strechers are intended for the transport and temporary accommodation of battle casualties and sick. Their use as camp beds of for load carrying is prohibited. Sterilisation of Syringes Poisoning of Food Supplies - It has reported from Russia that food abandoned by Germany has been found to be poisoned in certain cases. the most common poisons found are cyanide mixed with potato flour, and methanol mixed with alcohol. Cigarettes for wounded and sick personnel - For the information of all concerned provision has been based on the estimated consumption of 7 cigarettes per wounded man per day. Venereal Disease Blood Banks Ordanance Equipment - Bombs and Explosives may be brought to medical units by casualties, some of these are well known types so that a condition of saftey can be recongnised at a glance. Others are more difficult to recognise, varying as they do from one that looks like a bottle of spirits to one that looks like a wireless set. Self inflicted wounds Economy in rubber, plaster, adhesive, zinc oxide Triage Nomenclature of Battle Casualties This gives you an idea of what these documents cover and think you'll agree intresting. I will try and upload the documents tonight if I get time.
Maybe some could answer this question for me? In the section of the document headed Triage Nomenclature of Battle Casualties it outlines a detailed procedure in the way battlefield casualties should be reported and what should go into the report. My question is, where would such reports be held or even would they still be available? If they are available I think they would be a valuable piece of information for people who's relatives were wounded/killed i.e. casualties injuries, activities at the time etc...
I don't think there will be triage reports as it was simply a process of sorting and prioritising casualties into three categories: those who could be saved if treated quickly, those who could wait for treatment and those who probably wouldn't survive but might get looked at once the first category has been dealt with. I would guess that the forms mentioned are more like labels so the the medics can pick out who to treat next and have the history to hand.