AIR AMBULANCES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 81, 6 April 1943, Page 2

AIR AMBULANCES

FOR N.Z. WOUNDED

MEN IN TUNISIA BATTLE N.Z.E.F. Official War Correspondent GABES, April 2. Quick and comfortable evacuation of the wounded from battle was effected by the use of air ambulances operating from a -landing ground constructed by medical personnel close to the main dressing station. Working withJDick and shovel and aided by only jgft bulldozer, the men of the MedicawWService in one daymade a landing ground halfs a mile long and 100 yards wide. The use of ambulance planes obviated the long, rough land journey that would otherwise have been necessary. All stretcher cases were evacuated by this means, the majority straight to hospital well behind the lines, but some through the New Zealand casualty clearing station which has followed close on the heels of the Eighth Army's advance. Serious abdominal cases, which could not be moved after the New Zealanders went forward through the gap, remained under the care of a medical company, but these have now all been evacuated by plane. Probably never before in this campaign has air transport been used so extensively for this purpose. Over 200 wounded prisoners were attended by our medical services, serious cases receiving air evacuation. The landing ground was efficiently operated by members of the field hygiene section. The landing ground received a surprise visit from a Spitfire pilot, who landed with a shrapnel wound in an arm. The back of the pilot's seat was found afire. The staff evacuation centre quickly extinguished the fire and attended to the pilot's wound, and within a short time the pilot was again in the air.