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NOTICE: Portions of this material may be disturbing to read or inappropriate for young children. It is a medical diary and some descriptions are written with a professional and clinical detachment while other sections are written with an appreciable sense of humor. Readers are further cautioned that this material may be considered extremely sensitive by veterans and their family members - treat it appropriately. - Scott Burris, 381st.org Web Administrator.


U. S. EIGHTH
ARMY AIR FORCE
First Bombardment Division

381st Bombardment Group

Medical Detachment Diary
June 1943 to April 1945

Extracted from the original microfilm by Dave Osborne
Edited by Jim Tennet
Prepared for the Web by Scott Burris

FOREWORD

While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of this document, the task of copying text from old, ageing microfilm will inevitably lead to errors. Where the microfilm could not be read an omission is indicated by a series of dots or a question mark.

It is interesting to note that some of the spelling is in US English while other words are spelt in the British fashion. Something on which to ponder!! Wherever possible all text is left as per the original - warts and all.

The majority of this information makes fascinating reading and, while harrowing in parts, gives those of us who are too young to have had the 'wartime experience' an insight into the day to day lives of personnel on an operational bomber base.

Jim Tennet
Ridgewell Airfield Commemorative Association

MEDICAL HISTORY AAF STATION 167

This history is prepared in accordance with HQ Eighth Air Force Memorandum 25-16, beginning 4 June 1943.

INTRODUCTION:

In the compilation of this history, the day by day events have been largely ignored and have been only included when the events of the day have contributed some interesting fact or set of circumstances that might be contributory to the understanding of the medical history of the group.

The detailed description of the evolution of sanitary procedures, the treatment of combat crew casualties, the treatment of psychiatric casualties and problems of administration are presented in a general way using all the available data and facts and figures presented when helpful. After the presentation of most of the factual material there appears a commentary on current practices, procedures and suggestions on medicines which would probably make the medical department a more efficient and useful adjunct to the Air Forces.

Separate headings are presented which are complete studies and can be used without any reference to the remainder of the material presented.

The authors of this work are:

  • Major Ernest (NMI) Gaillard. Jr., 0-330166, MC
  • Captain Louis G. Ralston, 0-479721, MC
  • Captain Ralph M. Wymer, 0-478018, MC
  • Captain Bernard  E. Cohler, 0-382023, MC
  • Captain George J. Pease, 0-1609307, MC
  • 1st Lt Joseph V. Fick, 0-1543431, MAC

242nd MEDICAL DISPENSARY (AVIATION)

The squadron medical detachments are pooled to form one large detachment which renders medical service to all personnel on the station. Station Sick Quarters are located on a hill well away from the light line and easily available to evacuation from the base (AAF Site 14). Herein a located two wards, one for officers and one for enlisted men, a crash room for emergency surgical procedure, a sick call room, pharmacy, medical supply store room, a small laboratory, offices of the Surgeon and the administrative branch of the detachment and a decontamination center in duplicate arrangement.

The dental department is set up in the former WAAF Site Sick Quarters which is located in AAF Site 12. Here is also located an additional ward, which takes care of any overflow of patients from station sick quarters and which is used for cases of venereal disease and other contagious diseases.

The medical detachment operates as a psuedo-independent organization having its own living site for enlisted personnel. This is composed of two barracks adjacent to the main sick quarters installation. An acting detachment commander has been appointed through whom the enlisted men receive the duty assignments, passes, etc.

The medical service of the base has been divided into different categories with a specific officer in charge of each, for example, Captain Wymer has been designated  Equipment Liaison Officer, acting as liaison between the medical Department and the group equipment office. In this way the status of the equipment is known at all times and a close check can be made of the various first-aid kits on the aircraft. So, too, in the case of base medical inspector, venereal disease control, respiratory disease control, etc.

Daily sick call is handled by all of the medical officers, as is the ward work, one officer being in charge of the wards for a week at a time. The medical officers rotate M.O.D. duties daily.

MISSIONS: Two flight surgeons attend each briefing and see the planes off on the mission. The medical department issues candy rations to each combat crew member going on the mission. Coffee and cookies are also given out before take-off by the ambulance drivers and first-aid men.

When the planes return from a mission, five ambulances are stationed at the control tower and the receiving end of the runway to receive casualties. At least two medical officers are present with these ambulances which, in addition to the regular first-aid kits, also have a surgical kit which can be used for emergency treatment.

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[June 1943]