HOME
CONTACTS
LINKS
MEDCOM SITEMAP
ARMY.MIL 
AKO
SEARCH
ACCESS TO CARE
ANC HISTORY
AMEDD BIOGRAPHIES
AMEDD CORPS HISTORY
BOOKS AND DOCUMENTS
HISTORICAL ART WORK
THE AMEDD IN THE KOREAN WAR
MEDICAL MEMOIRS
MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS
ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORIES
THE SURGEONS GENERAL
Contents
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
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF MILITARY HISTORY
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WASHINGTON, D.C., 1965
This volume, one of the series UNITED STATES ARMY IN WORLD WAR II, is the second to be published in the group of Medical Department volumes in the subseries THE TECHNICAL SERVICES. The volumes in the over-all series will be closely related and will present a comprehensive account of the activities of the Military Establishment during World War II. A list of subseries is appended at the end of this volume.
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 64-60004
. . . The Unsung Heroes of the War . . .
UNITED STATES ARMY IN WORLD WAR II
Stetson Conn, General Editor
Advisory Committee
(As of 15 September 1968)
Fred C. Cole
Washington and Lee University
William R. Emerson
Yale University
Earl Pomeroy
University of Oregon
Theodore Ropp
Duke University
Bell I. Wiley
Emory University
Maj. Gen. Hugh M. Exton
U.S. Continental Army Command
Maj. Gen. Tom R. Stoughton
Industrial College of the Armed
Forces
Brig. Gen. Ward S. Ryan
U.S. Army War College
Col. Elias C. Townsend
U.S. Army Command and General Staff
College
Col. Vincent J. Esposito
United States Military Academy
Office of the Chief
of Military History
Brig. Gen. Hal C. Pattison, Chief
of Military History
Stetson Conn
Chief Historian
Col. Albert W. Jones
Chief, Histories Division
Col. Walter B. MacKenzie
Chief, Editorial and Graphics Division
Joseph R. Friedman
Editor in Chief
History of
THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT
prepared under the direction of Lt. Gen. Leonard D. Heaton, The Surgeon General, U.S. Army
Hospitalization and Evacuation, Zone of Interior
Medical Service in the Mediterranean and Minor Theaters
Medical Service in the European Theater
Medical Service in the Asiatic--Pacific Theater
The Historical Unit, United States Army Medical Service
Col. John Boyd Coates, Jr., MC, USA
Director
Charles J. Simpson
Executive Officer
Charles M. Wiltse, Ph. D., Litt.
D.
Chief Historian
Lt. Col. Frederick Bell, Jr., MSC,
USA
Chief, Special Projects Branch
Ernest Elliott, Jr.
Chief, Editorial Branch
Lt. Col. Jerome Rudberg, MSC, USA
Chief, Information Activities Branch
Roderick M. Engert
Chief, General Reference and Research
Branch
Hazel G. Hine
Chief, Administrative Branch
. . . to Those Who Served
FOREWORD, PREFACE, INTRODUCTORY NOTE
I. 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
II. 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
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
IV. 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
V. 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
VI. 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
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
VIII. 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
IX. 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
X. 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
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
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
XIII. 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
XIV. 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
XV. THE MEDITERRANEAN IN RETROSPECT
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
D. THE GERMAN MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT
1. Hospital Admissions and Dispositions,
II Corps, 1 January-15 May 1943
2. Air Evacuation From Tunisia, 16 January-23
May 1943
3. Intratheater 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
3d Division, 4 March-30 April 1944
11. Admissions to Hospital and Quarters
From Fifth Army, May-August1944
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-l8August 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, September1944-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. Noneffective
Rates per Thousand of Troop Strength per Annum, September 1944-April 1945
38. Intratheater
Evacuation: U.S. and Allied Personnel, May-September 1945
39. Evacuation
From MTOUSA to the Zone of Interior, May-December 1945
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
18. a. Fixed
Hospitals and Base Medical Supply Depots in North Africa, November 1942-February
1945
b. 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 92d 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
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, Benghasi 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
2d
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 ORE 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.