DIARY OF MEDICAL DETACHMENT – STATION #167

SEPTEMBER 1943

2 September – A late afternoon raid was scheduled over enemy occupied France, but this was scrubbed before reaching the French coast and all planes returned.

There is a considerable improvement in morale during the past week, operational flights have been comparatively easy and no casualties or losses resulted. This has increased the feeling of confidence a great deal. Lt Baltrusaitis and crew returned from seven days leave. The officers went to Bournemouth on the south coast. Reports of rest and recreation in large quantities came from all officers, who heartily endorse this club. These men appear refreshed and have profited by the leave.

MIA 535th Y/42-29789

Two crew members were wounded. Both were in the nose of the same ship, into which a small caliber bullet penetrated the nose. The navigator was injured by penetration of multiple fragments of the bullet into the lateral surface, left leg. The bombardier suffered a perforating wound of radial aspect, left hand, medial border, between 5th metacarpal and medial aspect.

5 September – There have been no raids since the 3rd , but today 21 ships were sent to raid a factory in Stuttgart, Germany, a round trip of 1,350 miles. Two ships aborted and 11 returned to this base on schedule. The remaining eight landed elsewhere because of fuel shortage and two crash landed in southern England. No crews were lost and there were no casualties.

Major Garfield P. Schnabel was relieved of his duties as Station Surgeon today,. Major Ernest Gaillard Jr., arrived at this station and assumed command of the Medical Detachment this date, contained in:- par 5 SO 211, par 4, HQ VIII Bomber Command, as of 2 September 1943.

7 September – Seventeen aircraft took off for Brussels, Belgium, the target being an airfield. Two ships aborted  and the remaining 15 returned safe to base with no casualties.

A meeting of Medical Officers was held in the afternoon and the general policies of the department were outlined. The following assignments were made:- Capt Pease – Medical Inspector; Capt Ralston – Venereal Disease Control Officer; Capt Wymer – Respiratory Disease Control Officer; Lt Fick – Detachment Commander.

The chief deficiencies that have been found are:- A lack of proper base sanitation partially due to inadequate equipment and secondly, the lack of training of the enlisted Medical Dept., both military and professional.

9 September – Twenty one aircraft from this group took off for a target airdrome, at Lille, France. Two ships aborted and the remainder returned safely to base. There were two men injured, namely:- Abramo, Nicholas J. S/Sgt, 533rd BS, BTG; diagnosis – 1. Wound penetrating, severe, right foot, entrance on the plantar surface of the foot, over the cistal heads of the 3rd, 4th and  5th metatarsals. The wound is just over an inch in length on the plantar surface, and a pinpoint wound on the dorsal surface, 1” proximal to the metatarsal phalangual joint; 2. Accidentally incurred while on an operational mission over enemy territory by flak, low velocity, about 00.30 hrs

Dills, Marvin K. 2nd Lt 533rd BS, CP; diagnosis – 1. Wound, penetrating, mild, chest, anterior, at the level of 4th rib, left, mild, clavicular line, accidentally incurred while on an operational mission over enemy territory, 00.15 hrs; 2. Abrasion, mild, face, one inch anterior to left ear, at temporal region, accidentally incurred as in #1.Removal of a piece of flak under novocaine anesthetic at 12.00 hrs upon return.

One ship returned with 60 flak holes and a rudder cable shot away. No casualties aboard this ship which returned safely.

Capt Wymer was appointed Medical Liaison Equipment Officer and Capt Bland appointed Director of Training of Medical Detachment.

Major Shuller, 1st Wing Surgeon, visited this date and was especially concerned over passes for crew members and stated that the 381st was at the bottom of statistical list in number of leaves granted and he also remarked that a week of leave or a similar period at a rest home.

The Clerk of Works discussed water and sewage systems and a series of bacteriological reports on the possibilities of the water. The effluent from the sewage system is to be measured daily by this office and when sufficient data has accumulated reports will be made to the R.A.F. Section Officer.

Col Reed was informed of the stagnant area that begins opposite Base Utilities and extending down to the sewage disposal system and stated that he would have the corrections according to recommendations.

The destruction of the hangars at the target airdrome was considered satisfactory, there were no wounded or killed. Three ships returned to England and landed safely at R.A.F. airfields in southern England, and the remainder returned safely to this base.

16 September – Twenty aircraft as part of the First Combat Wing had as a target, a ship in the river at Nantes, France. The mission was considered unsuccessful. Two ships aborted and the remainder returned safely to this base.

The wounded and their injuries were as follows:

Downey, Martin H., 2nd Lt, CP 534th BS:  1. Wound, lacerated, moderate severity, right forearm, involving posteria lateral surface, middle third, 3 ½ inches long, and involving skin subcutaneous tissue, facial and muscle, accidentally incurred by flak of low velocity while on operational mission over enemy territory about 18.00 hrs. WIA taken to 121st Station Hospital, Braintree.

Milligan, Walter F., T/Sgt, WG 533rd BS: 1. Wound, penetrating, severe, at outer aspect of middle thigh of right thigh, of high velocity 20mm cannon shell  sustained over enemy territory; 2. Wound, penetrating, high velocity, at lower back region at level of crest of ilium, severe, sustained as above; 3. Wound, penetration multiple, moderate severity, low velocity, outer aspect of dorsum of right ankle, sustained as above. Taken to 121st Station Hospital, Braintree.

Horne, Emery M., S/Sgt  TG  533rd BS: 1. Wound, abrasion, mild, middle and lateral surface of right thigh, 2 inches long, accidentally incurred by flak of low velocity while on operational mission; 2. Wound, lacerated, mild right lumbar region, as above.  Returned to duty after treatment at Base Hospital.

Paterno, Vincent A., S/Sgt  ETTG 533rd BS: 1. Wound, perforating, severe, right shoulder, entrance at the upper and lateral border of scapula and exit at the anterior border of deltoid at upper 1/3rd of humorus, accidentally occurred on operational mission over enemy territory, about 16.30 hrs; 2. Wound, penetrating, mild, multiple, of right arm, as above. Taken to 121st Station Hospital, Braintree.

The difficulties encountered in their evacuation, were overcrowding at the ships during the evacuation and lack of sufficient numbers of medical department soldiers to handle litters and give necessary aid etc. We will attempt to eradicate this in the future having four men assigned to each ambulance and each man will wear a brassard for identification as medical personnel by the Military Police. 

Visitors to the Medical Department included Lt Col Hatcher, CO of the 121st Station Hospital, Braintree; Lt Col Rogers, Chief of Surgical Services and Lt Howard, ANC, with the station and stated that they were more acutely aware of the function of a Bomb Group and in particular the medical problems that confront us.

Lt Clark, SO, Eastern Base Section, was here to inspect the sewage disposal system and a sample of effluent was sent there. Lt Chadwick, VC, Station #169, made a sanitary inspection of messes with Capt Pease, expressing satisfaction as to our sanitary condition. The Medical Department  recommended basic changes in the field ration we are now receiving. It was suggested  that a higher protein and lower carbohydrate diet be supplied.

A dance at the Officers Club was held in the evening and was for the first time Medical Officers and nurses from our own station hospital.

17 September – There was a briefing of crews at 10.00 hrs but the mission was scrubbed at 12.00 hrs.

Capt AB (who shall be nameless) reported to Capt Bland and stated that he did not wish to go on the mission. He further stated that he had ideas of homicide and suicide. Since the Schweinfurt mission of 17 August, Capt AB says he has not slept well and feels the odds are overwhelmingly against the individual in raids over German territory. He was interviewed by me, he was quite introspective and downcast, quiet and stated he had no desire whatsoever to get near a B-17 and that he was not equal to go on this raid. It is rather hard to decide whether it was feeling for personal safety or the weight of the responsibility of leading the group into combat that was responsible for his attitude. It was pointed out to him that he was one of the leaders in the group and that the personnel looked to him for direction and guidance, and further that personal failure on his part would have a disastrous effect upon the squadron and very likely on the group as a whole.

He finally agreed somewhat reluctantly to go to the briefing. The Group Surgeon spoke to Col Nazzaro and gave him the gist of the conversation outlined above and the Colonel put the issue of going on the mission squarely to Capt AB who agreed to go much easier than would have been anticipated. It is the feeling of myself and Capt Bland that another mission is indicated to restore confidence. (Capt AB has led seven missions to date since Schweinfurt) and that following the mission a period of rest is indicated. It is also our feeling that unless this procedure is carried out Capt AB will be lost to us as a combat flier. In the meantime we are going to use our utmost to incur adequate sleep.

A meeting of the Medical Department enlisted men was held and the recommendation that four men would be assigned to each ambulance to evacuate wounded returning from missions was made and that another table be placed in the treatment room for the care of casualties. Brussards will be worn by ambulance personnel on the airdrome. The other subjects discussed were the cleaning and pressing establishments, medical recreation room, medical department dance, and discipline. The medical department men are commended on the efficient manner of handling casualties on yesterday’s raid.  

19 September – Lt Col Ralph L. Wicks, Flight Surgeon of the 38th Fighter Wing, and Major W.P. Bunting, Group Surgeon of the 385th Bomb Group and Great Ashfield, visited the detachment.

20 September – The staff attended a medical meeting  and a symposium the hepatitis at 121st Station Hospital, Braintree. The chief things of interest were, that the disease we have called infectious jaundice and the jaundice resulting from an injection were felt to be the same disease entity. The disease is thought to be due to a virus. It has been transmitted by nasal solutions, by respiratory droplet, and by saline emulsions from autopsied livers. Its incidence has increased in wartime and in periods of economic stress, and is felt to be due in part, at least, to a decrease in the protein content. The treatment that was advocated  was the use of fairly large amounts of cosein digest which when given early seems to ameliorate the disease considerably. In the case of arsenical hepatitis it is felt that the amino-acid medicals were used to detoxify the arsenic, consequently a high protein diet is indicated for the luetic patient.

22 September – Major Gaillard and Capt Bland  attended a meeting of the E.T.O. Medical Society at the 67th General Hospital, at Taunton, Somerset.  The topics discussed  were on low back pain, fractures of the femur, line of duty, fetal circulation, knee joint derangements, dyspepsia, transfusion in the field, some cardio-vascular concepts for military service, and last the use of penicillin  in the treatment of gonorrhea. We were somewhat disappointed in the professional side of the meeting. A batch of medical officers were transported to and from the meeting by air, which we felt is a good liaison policy.

At 19.15 hrs a plane was seen to explode in the air, north west of this station. Capt Pease, Lt Cohler and three ambulances left immediately for the site of the crashed plane which was located at Poplar Farm, about six miles north west of the field. The plane was an R.A.F. Stirling which had previously taken off from Stradishall, just over the Suffolk border, on a combat mission. The plane and its occupants were spread over an area of about 500 yards and parts of the burning plane hit a nearby farm house  causing a severe fire of the house. In the midst of the burning incendiary bombs and unexploded 1,000 pound bombs, the members of this station proceeded to evacuate the bodies of the R.A.F. personnel. One member was still alive, although unconscious, severely injured, and had an apparent skull fracture. He was immediately evacuated and taken by R.A.F. ambulance to hospital in Cambridge. His condition at present is unknown. Five other members of the crew, all dead, were turned over to the R.A.F. personnel. The cause of the crash was not determined.

25 September – Eleven aircraft from this group, flying as part of the combat wing, attacked shipping and docks, at Nantes, France, with good results. Of the 20 that took off for the mission, six were unable to find the rendezvous point, there were two abortions, and one aircraft went over the target with another group.

All of our aircraft returned and there was only one wounded in action: 1st Lt Frank J. Shimek, Nav 532nd BS; 1. Wound, penetrating, mild, lacerated at junction of middle and lower right leg.

26 September – Twenty aircraft from this command left the field at 14.45 hrs to attack an aircraft factory north west of Paris, France. Two returned early before crossing the Channel. The remaining 18 returned with full bomb loads because of poor visibility. The combat wing  was led by Col Nazzaro and Lt Col Dunlop.

The following men were wounded: S/Sgt Harold W. Harrington 535th BS, BTG. 1. Frostbite, mild, tips of right thumb, index and middle fingers; 2. Reason: Filter valve on oxygen bottle froze on refilling and was using bale out bottle. On getting bottle back into turret, lead cord on heating unit became severed.

Sgt John S. Channell, 535th BS, TG. 1. Frostbite, 2nd degree, chin and both cheeks, molar region. 2. Reason: Oxygen mask froze to face. 

S/Sgt Charles L. Carter, 534th BS, TG. 1. Frostbite, severe, lower jaw.

S/Sgt Hubert  Greene, 533rd  BS, WG. 1. Frostbite, slight, lower left jaw, right upper cheek.

S.Sgt Alex Pazalgowski, 532nd BS. 1. Frostbite, 2nd degree, central right mandible, and 1st degree, right molar region.

27 September – The target for today was Emden, Germany, and the M.P.I. was the center of the town near the shipping facilities. Nineteen aircraft from this command participated, with one abortion, 17 aircraft returned safely to the base on schedule, while the 18th landed at Great Ashfield, Suffolk, home to the 385th BG, with wounded aboard. The ship was hit by many fighters just beyond the target area. The two waist gunners stated the aircraft which hit them came in level and between the fields of fire of the waists guns and tail guns. The time of the injury was around 10.10 hrs.

Major Gaillard and Capt Bland went to Gt Ashfield and upon arrival S/Sgt James J. Dunn was in impending sleep. His injuries were as follows: Wounded at 10.10 hrs, morphine grs ½ at 10.15, another ½ gr at 10.25. The wound was dressed and sulfanilamide placed in the wound by the other waist gunner, who himself was wounded.

The ship landed at 12.00 hrs and at 14.00 plasma was started. At 15.15  S/Sgt Dunn received 720cc of plasma. It was felt that it was now safe to transport him to the 12th Evacuation Hospital at Botesdale. Supporting treatment was continued at the hospital and an additional 500cc of plasma was administered. 

An X-ray revealed a large metal fragment behind the head of the right femur and a comminuted fracture of the right inshiel tuberosity. Operation at 18.30 by Major Willie Meyer.

The wounds were sprinkled with 10 grams of sulfanilamide powder, and dressed with vaseline gauze and pressure dressings. In addition, 250 cc of plasma was administered and donors were typed in for transfusion. His condition at the end of the operation was fair.

The other patient, Sgt John J. Crawbuck, 534th BS WG, was in the following condition:- The large wound, which was approximately 4 x 4 cm, was located between the anterior and superior spine and the brochanter of the right femur, and was found to connect with the shell fragment that was located about 12 cm posteriorly in the right buttock. The tract was laid open, debrided, and packed open with sulfanilamide 5 cm, and vaseline gauze.