United States Army in World War II: The Technical Services: The Medical Department

Medical Service in the Mediterranean and Minor Theaters

by Charles M. Wiltse

1965

. . . to Those Who Served

Table of Contents

Foreword

Introductory Note

Preface

Prologue: The Gift of Life

Chapter 1: Medical Service in the Atlantic Defense Areas

The Atlantic Approaches to War—The North Atlantic Bases—Bermuda Base Command—U.S. Army Forces in the Azores—U.S. Army Forces in Eastern and Central Canada—The Caribbean Defense Command—The South Atlantic Theater

Chapter 2: Army Medical Service in Africa and the Middle East

The Beginnings of Medical Service in the Middle East—The Middle East as an Active Theater of Operations, 1942–43—The Middle East as a Supply and Service Theater, 1944–45—Medical Supplies and Equipment—Professional Services—Decline of Medical Activities in the Demobilization Period

Chapter 3: Conquest of North Africa

Prelude to Invasion—Medical Support in the Landing Phase—Medical Support of II Corps in the Tunisia Campaign—Evacuation From II Corps—Medical Supplies and Equipment—Professional Services

Chapter 4: Sicily and the Mediterranean Islands

Medical Preparations for Operation HUSKY—Medical Support of Seventh Army in the Field—Hospitalization and Evacuation—Medical Supplies and Equipment—Professional Services—Medical Support in the Seizure of Sardinia and Corsica

Chapter 5: The North African Communications Zone

Theater Organization—Hospitalization in the Communications Zone—Evacuation in the Communications Zone—Medical Supplies and Equipment—Professional Services—Army Public Health Activities

Chapter 6: Salerno to the Gustav Line

Medical Plans for AVALANCHE—Medical Support in the Conquest of Southern—Hospitalization in the Army Area—Evacuation From Fifth Army—Medical Supplies and Equipment—Professional Services in the Army Area

Chapter 7: Anzio Beachhead

Medical Planning for Operation SHINGLE—Combat Medical Service—Hospitalization on Anzio Beachhead—Evacuation From the Beachhead—Medical Supplies and Equipment—Professional Services on the Beachhead

Chapter 8: From the Garigliano to the Arno

Preparations for the Offensive—Combat Medical Service—Hospitalization in the Army Area—Evacuation From Fifth Army—Medical Supplies and Equipment—Professional Services in the Army Area—Medical Support for the Eastern Command

Chapter 9: The Italian Communications Zone: Southern Phase

Changes in Theater Organization—Hospitalization in the Communications Zone—Evacuation—Medical Supplies and Equipment—Professional Services—Army Public Health Activities

Chapter 10: Invasion of Southern France

Preparations for the Invasion—Medical Support of Seventh Army in the Field—Hospitalization in the Army Area—Evacuation From Seventh Army—Extension of the Communications Zone—Medical Supplies and Equipment—Professional Services in Southern France

Chapter 11: The Northern Apennines

Preparations for the Offensive—Combat Operations—Medical Support in the Field—Hospitalization in the Army Area—Evacuation From Fifth Army—Medical Supplies and Equipment—Professional Services in the Army Area

Chapter 12: Advance to the Alps

Preparations for the Final Drive—The Po Valley Campaign—Hospitalization in the Army Area—Evacuation From Fifth Army—Medical Supplies and Equipment—Professional Services in the Army Area

Chapter 13: The Italian Communications Zone: Northern Phase

Organizational Changes Affecting the Medical Service—Hospitalization in the Communications Zone—Evacuation—Medical Supplies and Equipment—Professional Services—Army Civil Public Health Activities

Chapter 14: Contraction and Redeployment

Redeployment Policies and Plans—Medical Support of Fifth Army—Hospitalization and Evacuation—Hospitalization and Repatriation of Prisoners of War—Redeployment and Inactivation of Medical Units—Close–out in the MTO

Chapter 15: The Mediterranean in Retrospect

Appendix A: Hospital Statistics

1. Fixed Beds and Bed Ratios, Atlantic Defense Areas, July 1941–December 1945

2. Fixed Beds and Bed Ratios, Africa and the Middle East (Includes Persian Gulf Command), June 1942–December 1945

3. Bed Strength and Bed Occupancy, North African Communications Zone, November 1942–February 1945

4. Bed Strength and Bed Occupancy, Mediterranean Islands August 1943–April 1945

5. Bed Strength and Bed Occupancy, Italian Communications Zone, October 1943–September 1945

6. Fixed Bed Strength and Bed Occupancy, Mediterranean Theater, November 1942–September 1945

Appendix B: Principal Medical Units active in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, the Atlantic Defense Areas, Africa, and the Middle East

Appendix C: Observations on Hospitalization and Evacuation System, French Expeditionary Corps, Assigned Fifth Army

Appendix D: The German Medical Establishment

Bibliographical Note

Glossary

Index

Tables

1. Hospital Admissions and Dispositions, II Corps, 1 January–15 May 1943

2. Air Evacuation From Tunisia, 16 January–23 May 1943

3. Intra-theater Evacuation by Air, North Africa, 16 January–23 May 1943

4. U.S. Army Patients Evacuated by Sea From North Africa to the Zone of Interior, 1943

5. Hospital Admissions From Fifth Army, 9 September 1943–30 April 1944

6. Disposition of Neuropsychiatric Cases in Fifth Army, September 1943–April 1944

7. Venereal Disease Rate per Thousand per Annum, by Divisions, September 1943–April 1944

8. Disposition of Patients, Fifth Army Venereal Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Center, January–April 1944

9. Dental Service in Fifth Army, September 1943–April 1944

10. Disposition of Problem Cases in the 3rd Division, 4 March–30 April 1944

11. Admissions to Hospital and Quarters From Fifth Army, May–August 1944

12. Air Evacuation From Fifth Army Hospitals, 26 May–31 August 1944

13. Evacuation From Fifth Army to PBS Hospitals, 1 January–31 August 1944

14. Disposition of Neuropsychiatric Cases in Fifth Army, May–August 1944

15. Venereal Disease Rates by Divisions, Fifth Army, May–August 1944

16. Dental Service in Fifth Army, May–August 1944

17. Admissions to PBS Hospitals, 14 October 1943–31 August 1944

18. Disposition of Patients in PBS Hospitals, 14 October 1943–31 August 1944

19. Evacuation From Italy to North Africa, 9 September 1943–21 January 1944

20. Evacuation From Italy to North Africa, January–August 1944

21. Evacuation From the Mediterranean to the Zone of Interior, January–August 1944

22. Venereal Disease Rates, NATOUSA, January–August 1944

23. Admissions and Dispositions, Seventh Army Medical Installations, 15–18 August 1944

24. Admissions and Dispositions, Seventh Army Medical Installations, 15 August–29 September 1944

25. Air Evacuation From Seventh Army and Delta Base Section, 22 August–7 November 1944

26. Summary of Evacuation to the Communications Zone, 15 August–3 November 1944

27. Establishment in Southern France of Fixed Hospitals From North Africa, Italy, and Corsica

28. Requisitions and Tonnage, 7th Medical Depot Company, August–November 1944

29. Receipts and Issues, 231st Medical Composite Battalion, September–November 1944

30. Venereal Disease Rates, Seventh Army, July–September 1944

31. Disposition of Neuropsychiatric Cases, Fifth Army, September 1944–March 1945

32. Dental Service in Fifth Army, September 1944–March 1945

33. Wounded in Action in the Po Valley Campaign, Fifth Army, April–15 May 1945

34. Evacuation From MTOUSA to the Zone of Interior, September 1944–April 1945

35. Evacuation of Brazilian Patients to Brazil, September 1944–April 1945

36. Medical Supplies on Hand in PBS Depots, September 1944–April 1945

37. Non-effective Rates per Thousand of Troop Strength per Annum, September 1944–April 1945

38. Intra-theater Evacuation: U.S. and Allied Personnel, May–September 1945

39. Evacuation From MTOUSA to the Zone of Interior, May–December 1945

Maps

1. U.S. Army Hospitals Supporting North Atlantic Bases, 1 June 1943

2. U.S. Army Hospitals in the Caribbean

3. U.S. Army Hospitals Supporting South Atlantic Bases, 1943–45

4. U.S. Army Hospitals in USAFIME, 1 July 1943

5. U.S. Army Hospitals in the Persian Gulf Service Command, 1 July 1943

6. Medical Support of Eastern Task Force

7. Medical Support of Center Task Force

8. Medical Support of Western Task Force

9. II Corps Medical Installations, 14 February 1943

10. II Corps Medical Installations, 24 February 1943

11. II Corps Medical Installations, 11 April 1943

12. II Corps Medical Installations, 23 April 1943

13. II Corps Medical Installations, 12 May 1943

14. Seventh Army Hospitals, 16 July 1943

15. Seventh Army Hospitals, 26 July 1943

16. Seventh Army Hospitals, 5 August 1943

17. Seventh Army Hospitals, 15 August 1943

18a. Fixed Hospitals and Base Medical Supply Depots in North Africa, November 1942–February 1945

18b. Fixed Hospitals and Base Medical Supply Depots in North Africa, November 1942–February 1945

19. Fixed Hospitals and Base Medical Supply Depots on Sicily, August 1943–July 1944

20. Fixed Hospitals and Base Medical Supply Depots on Sardinia and Corsica, November 1943–May 1945

21. Fifth Army Hospitals and Medical Supply Dumps, 9 October 1943

22. Fifth Army Hospitals and Medical Supply Dumps, 15 November 1943

23. Fifth Army Hospitals and Medical Supply Dumps, 15 February 1944

24. Anzio Beachhead and Surrounding Areas

25. Fifth Army Hospitals and Medical Supply Dumps on the Cassino Front, 11 May 1944

26. Fifth Army Hospitals and Medical Supply Dumps, 10 June 1944

27. Fifth Army Hospitals and Medical Supply Dumps, 15 July 1944

28. Fifth Army Hospitals and Medical Supply Dumps, 15 August 1944

29. Fixed Hospitals in Southern Italy, October 1943–October 1947

30. Seventh Army Hospitals and Medical Supply Dumps, 20 August 1944

31. Seventh Army Hospitals anti Medical Supply Dumps, 1 September 1944

32. Seventh Army Hospitals and Medical Supply Dumps, 15 September 1944

33. Seventh Army Hospitals and Medical Supply Dumps, 30 September 1944

34. Fixed Hospitals Transferred From MTO to ETO, 20 November 1944

35. Fifth Army Hospitals and Medical Supply Dumps, 18 September 1944

36. Fifth Army Hospitals and Medical Supply Dumps Supporting II Corps, 25 October 1944

37. Fifth Army Hospitals and Medical Supply Dumps on the IV Corps and 92nd Division Fronts, 15 January 1945

38. Fifth Army Hospitals and Medical Supply Dumps on the II Corps Front, 15 January 1945

39. Hospitals and Medical Supply Dumps Supporting the Fifth Army Offensive, 18 April 1945

40. Fifth Army Hospitals and Medical Supply Dumps, 26 April 1945

41. Fifth Army Hospitals and Medical Supply Dumps, 2 May 1945

42. Fixed Hospitals in Northern Italy, July 1944–October 1947

43. Medical Installations Supporting Fifth Army, 1 June 1945

Illustrations

Lt. Col. Charles H. Beasley—167th Station Hospital, Iceland—BLUIE WEST 1, Greenland—308th Station Hospital, Fort Pepperrell, Newfoundland—Convalescent Patients, Bermuda—Col. Gordon G. Bulla—Brig. Gen. Morrison C. Stayer—Air Evacuation, Panama—Col. George E. Leone—Malaria Control Unit, Brazil—Col. Crawford F. Sams—Col. Hall G. Van Vlack—DC-3 Over Pyramids—King George of Greece at 38th General Hospital, Heliopolis—Hospital Train, Benghazi Area—Partially Dug-In Hospital Tents Near Tripoli—113th General Hospital at Ahwaz, Iran—167th Station Hospital at Accra, Gold Coast—Loading a Patient by Fork Lift, Casablanca—Brig. Gen. Leon A. Fox—Dental Clinic at Khorramshahr, Iran—Brig. Gen. Albert W. Kenner and General George C. Marshall—Col. Richard T. Arnest—Nurses Arriving in Arzew, Algeria—Soldier Being Evacuated at Fedala, French Morocco—Camouflaged Aid Station, Algeria—Mobile Surgical Truck, Tunisia—Wrecked Ambulance, Tunisia—2nd Lt. Aleda E. Lutz in Converted C-47—Medical Supplies on Beach, Algeria—Lt. Gen. George S. Patton, Jr., and Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt—Col. Daniel Franklin—Col. L. Holmes Ginn, Jr.—Evacuating Wounded to Landing Craft, Sicily—Administering Plasma, Sicily—Evacuation by Muleback—Holding Hospital, Termini Airfield, Sicily—Forward Surgical Unit, Sicily—Pack Train in Sicily—Maj. Gen. Ernest M. Cowell—Brig. Gen. Frederick A. Blesse—6th General Hospital, Casablanca—26th General Hospital Near Constantine, Algeria—Aerial View of Hospital Groupment, Algeria—Prison Stockade of the 180th Station Hospital Near Oran—Interior View of Hospital Train—Col. William S. Stone—Malaria Control Measures Near Algiers—Brig. Gen. Joseph I. Martin—Litter Bearers Wading to Landing Craft, Salerno—Planners of the Invasion of Italy—Medics Treating Italian Girl, Volturno Area—Rough Going—Digging Out Wounded Man, Cassino—Casualties From Rapido Crossing—Aid Station in Sant’Elia Area—Wounded German Soldier at 94th Evacuation Hospital—Treating Moroccan Mountain Troops, Venafro Area—Col. Rollin L. Bauchspies—Evacuation of Wounded, Anzio—Pfc. Lloyd C. Hawks—Hospital Area, Anzio—Brig. Gen. Frederick A. Blesse Congratulating Col Henry S. Blesse—Anzio Hospitals Digging In—Protecting Operating Tents, Anzio—56th Evacuation Hospital After Bombing—Treating Casualty at Forward Aid Station—Italian Civilians Help Carry Casualty Down Mountain—Half-Track Ambulance—German POW Giving First Aid—Wheeled Litter—Administering Plasma in Jeep Ambulance—Institute of the Good Shepherd, Rome—Ambulance Plane, Nettuno Airstrip—Field Unit of Dental Clinic—Col. Charles F. Shook—Medical Section of NATOUSA at Caserta, 26 July 1944—Medical Center at Mostra Fairgrounds—Repatriating Wounded German POWs—41st Hospital Train—Storing Medical Supplies—Blood Donors, Naples—Dusting for Mosquitoes, Cassino—Brig. Gen. Edgar Erskine Hume—Delousing Station, Naples—Lt. Gen. Alexander M. Patch and Col. Frank B. Berry—Lt. Col. Robert Goldson, Col. Myron R. Rudolph, and Col. Joseph Rich—Medics on Beach, Southern France—Ambulance in Wrecked Village—Jeep Ambulance Crossing the Moselle—Evacuating Wounded, Southern France Beaches—Evacuating Southern France Casualties by Sea—Last Stages of Whole Blood Pipeline—General Martin receiving OBE from Gen. Sir Harold R. L. G. Alexander—Collecting Point, Mt. Altuzzo—317th Medical Battalion Collecting Station—Aid Station on Mt. Belvedere—Tramway, Mt. Mancinello–Pizzo di Campiano Ridge—38th Evacuation Hospital Flooded—Brazilian Nurses—8th Evacuation Hospital, Pietramala—Ambulance on Icy Road—Treating a Wounded Mule—Lt. Gens. Mark W. Clark and Lucian K. Truscott, Jr—“Ohio Ridge”—Medics Evacuating Wounded by jeep—Medics at Pianoro—German Receiving Plasma—German Clearing Station—Lake Garda—Ambulances Fording Reno River—Maj. Gen. Morrison C. Stayer—12th General Hospital, Leghorn—70th General Hospital, Pistoia—Italian Partisans at Bari—37th General Hospital on the Move—Loading Patients, Leghorn—Storage Area, Leghorn—Captured Horse at Veterinary Hospital—Col. Charles O. Bruce—7029th Station Hospital (Italian) at Pisa—German Medical Center in the Alps—Hotel-Hospital at Merano—German POW Ward Tents, Ghedi—POW Ward, Aversa—Readying Medical Supplies for the Southwest Pacific—Col. Earle Standlee

All photographs are from the Department of Defense files.