TREATING THE WOUNDED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25562, 15 June 1944, Page 5

TREATING THE WOUNDED

A COMPLEX ORGANISATION dUGBY, June 11. Plans for the evacuation of casualties from the firing line to hospitals in the base area have been specially worked out for the campaign' in Northern France. The casualties will pass from the line through one, or perhaps several, of 10 or more aid posts, collecting posts, dressing stations, surgical centres, hospitals, rest stations, general hospitals, and convalescent depots before being passed to hospitals in England. First in the divisional rear is a collecting zone where the casualties are taken from the line either by stretcherbearers or unit transport, such as jeeps, carrying three stretchers apiece, back to the divisional field dressing station. Thence they pass into the corps area or evacuation zone. The transport in this zone as far back as road, or railhead is by motor ambulance convoy or possibly by aircraft. Casualties may receive treatment in a general hospital with 200 beds, whence they can be moved back to the general hospitals in the base area by motor ambulance, train or river steamer.

In the early stages the transport of casualties presents great difficulties. Not until a deep penetration has been made can ambulance trains be landed in France. Until then ordinary train equipment with racks for stretchers, or lorries similarly fitted, will have to take the place of ambulance trams. Finally, for the base area, casualties pass to hospitals in England, the swiftest means of transport being used. Some are brought back by hospital carrier, and others by specially-con-verted landing ships carrying 209 siretcher and 100 walking cases. Others are brought back by air.