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Chapter VII, Medical Service in the European Theater of Operations 1 This summary of the tactical situation is based on Harrison, Cross-Channel, chs. VIII and IX; Ruppenthal, Logistical Support, 1:10; First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. I, pp. 40-46; Rpt, Provisional Engineer Special Brigade Group (hereafter cited as ProvESBGp), 30 Sep 44, sub: Operation NEPTUNE, 26 Feb-26 Jun 44, pp. 75-103. 2 D-Day casualties are summarized in Charles B. MacDonald, The Mighty Endeavor: American Armed Forces in the European Theater in World War II (New York: Oxford University Press, 1969), p. 279. V Corps casualties are broken down into dead, wounded, and missing in Rpt, V Corps, sub: Operations in the ETO, 6 January 1942 to 9 May 1945, p. 64. For airborne losses, see Harrison, Cross-Channel, pp. 28 n and 300. 3 Col. Hayes was replaced as VII Corps surgeon on 4 July 1944 by Lt. Col. Robert H. Barr. 4 Surg, 82d Airborne Division, Annual Rpt, 1944, an. I, p. 1; Surg, 101st Airborne Division, Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 1-2; Interv, OSG with Capt Ernest Gruenberg (hereafter cited as Gruenberg Interv), 13 Jun 45, box 222, RG 112, NARA. 5 This account of unit medical support is based on Surg, 82d Airborne Division, Annual Rpt, 1944, an. I, pp. 1-2; Surg, 101st Airborne Division, Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 2-6; Gruenberg Interv, 13 Jun 45, box 222, RG 112, NARA, and in RG 407, NARA, 82d Airborne Division Combat Intervs, box 24057, and 101st Airborne Division Combat Intervs (source of quotation), box 24072. 6 Surg, 101st Airborne Division, Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 2-3; 3d Auxiliary Surgical Group Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 17-19; Capt W. P. McKee Recorded Rpt, pp. 2-4. Quotation from Interv, OSG with Maj A. J. Crandall (hereafter cited as Crandall Interv), 8 Jun 45, box 222, RG 112, NARA. 7 VII Corps Medical Plan, pp. 14-15, encl. l to Surg, VII Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944; Surg, 82d Airborne Division, Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 3-4 and an. I, p. 1; 3d Auxiliary Surgical Group Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 16-17; 307th Airborne Medical Company Annual Rpt, 1944. 8 First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, pp. 65-66; VII Corps Medical Plan, p. 15, encl. 1 to Surg, VII Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944; Surg, 82d Airborne Division, Annual Rpt, 1944, an. I; Surg, 101st Airborne Division, Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 2; Medical Service, 101st Airborne Division, After-Action Rpt, 6-25 Jun 44; Crandall Interv, 8 Jun 45, box 222, RG 112, NARA. 9 First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, pp. 65-67 and 96; Surg, First U.S. Army, Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 33; VII Corps Medical Plan, pp. 13-17, encl. 1 to Surg. VII Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944; Dowling, Normandy Rpt, I1 Jan 45, pp. 17-18; 3d Auxiliary Surgical Group Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 13 and 20; 4th Medical Battalion Report of Operations, 6-30 Jun 44, box 6727, RG 407, NARA; 50th Medical Battalion Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 2-3. 10 This account is based on 1st Infantry Division Combat Intervs, box 24011, and 29th Infantry Division Combat Intervs, box 24034, RG 407, NARA. 11 For overviews of D-Day medical operations on OMAHA, see First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, pp. 62-63; Surg, V Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 2-3; Surg, 1st Infantry Division, Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 9. For medical losses in the initial assault, see 1st Infantry Division Combat Intervs, box 24011, and 29th Infantry Division Combat Intervs, box 24034, RG 407, NARA. 12 Col Charles E. Tegtmeyer, MC, "Personal Military Diary" (hereafter cited as Tegtmeyer "Diary"), pt. 1, ch. 20, pp. 1-5. 13 Quotation from Lt. Jack Shea, D-Day Narrative, in 29th Infantry Division Combat Intervs, box 24034. See also other company narratives in this collection and in the 1st Infantry Division Combat Intervs, box 24011. All in RG 407, NARA. 14 This account is based on Tegtmeyer "Diary," pt. 1, ch. 20, pp. 5-15, from which the quotations come; Rpt, Maj Charles E. Tegtmeyer, sub: Activities of Medical Detachment, 16th Infantry, and Company A, 1st Medical Battalion, After-Action Rpt, both in 1st Infantry Division Combat Intervs, box 24011, RG 407, NARA. 15 For the assault, the 5th Brigade had operational control of all 6th Brigade elements, even as the 1st Division controlled the first 29th Division elements on shore. When the brigade group headquarters landed, which occurred late on D-Day, 6th Brigade units reverted to control of their parent brigade. See Rpt, ProvESBGp, 30 Sep 44, sub: Operation NEPTUNE, pp. 36-38 and 327-28; 61st Medical Battalion Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 1-6; 393d CollectoClearing Company Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 8. 16 Rpt, ProvESBGp, 30 Sep 44, sub: Operation NEPTUNE, pp. 328-29; 60th Medical Battalion Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 5-6, 8-9, 15. 17 Rpt, ProvESBGp, 30 Sep 44, sub: Operation NEPTUNE, pp. 329-31; 61st Medical Battalion Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 4-5, 10-11, app. 3. 18 Rpt, ProvESBGp, 30 Sep 44, sub: Operation NEPTUNE, p. 334; 3d Auxiliary Surgical Group Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 13-14 and 22-29; Tegtmeyer "Diary," pt. 1, ch. 20, p. 11. 19 First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, pp. 62-63, estimates the number evacuated. See also Dowling, Normandy Rpt, 11 Jan 45, p. 16, and Rpt, ProvESBGp, 30 Sep 44, sub: Operation NEPTUNE, pp. 88 and 331. For firsthand views, see Maj Gen C. H. Gerhardt, "Battle Lessons and Conclusions"; and Lt. Jack Shea, Narrative, both in 29th Infantry Division Combat Intervs, box 24034, RG 407, NARA. 20 Quotation from Surg, V Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 2-3. See First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, p. 63; Surg, 1st Infantry Division, Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 9; Rpt, ProvESBGp, 30 Sep 44, sub: Operation NEPTUNE, p. 333; Tegtmeyer "Diary," pt. 2, ch. 1, pp. 1-6; 60th Medical Battalion Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 6-9, 12, 15-16; 104th Medical Battalion After-Action Rpt, June 1944; 1st Medical Battalion After-Action Rpt, May June 1944, box 5966, RG 407, NARA. 21 First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, pp. 63-65 and 69; Dowling, Normandy Rpt, 11 Jan 45, p. 4; Surg, V Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 3-7; 53d Medical Battalion Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 4-5; Rpt, ProvESBGp, 30 Sep 44, sub: Operation NEPTUNE, pp. 333-34; 60th Medical Battalion Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 6-7, 9-10, 12-14; 61st Medical Battalion Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 5; 104th Medical Battalion After-Action Rpt, June 1944. 22 Rpt, ProvESBGp, 30 Sep 44, sub: Operation NEPTUNE, pp. 334 and 337-38; 61st Medical Battalion Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 5-6. 23 This account of tactical developments is drawn from Harrison, Cross-Channel, chs. IX-X, and Martin Blumenson, Breakout and Pursuit, United States Army in World War II (Washington, D.C.: Office of the Chief of Military History, Department of the Army, 1961), chs. I-IX. 24 Surg, First U.S. Army, Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 30 and 33; First U.S. Army Rpt of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, pp. 64 and 70-71; Surg, V Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 4; 68th Medical Group Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 4-5. 25 Surg, First U.S. Army, Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 105-06; First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, pp. 67-69, 96-97, 104; Surg, V Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 4-8; VII Corps Medical Plan, pp. 16-22, encl. 1 to Surg, VII Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944; 60th Medical Battalion Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 10-11; 13th, 45th, and 51st Field Hospitals Annual Rpts, 1944; 5th, 24th, 41st, 91st, and 128th Evacuation Hospitals Annual Rpts, 1944. 26 4th Convalescent Hospital Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 1; First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, p. 72. 27 VII Corps Medical Plan, p. 22, encl. 1 to Surg, VII Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944; 31st, 68th, and 134th Medical Groups Annual Rpts, 1944. 28 For a general view of the supply situation, see Ruppenthal, Logistical Support, 1:391-422, 439, 46474; Harrison Cross-Channel, pp. 422-23; Supply Division, OofCSurg, HQ ETOUSA, Annual Rpt, sec. II, pp. 7-8; Surg, First U.S. Army, Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 14; First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, p. 76; Surg, V Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 4 and 8; VII Corps Medical Plan, pp. 18-19, encl. 1 to Surg, VII Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944; 1st and 32d Medical Depot Companies Annual Rpts, 1944; Wiltse, ed., Medical Supply, pp. 307-13. 29 First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, pp. 70-71 and 87-91; VII Corps Medical Plan, pp. 18-19, 22-23, 25, encl. 1 to Surg, VII Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944; Surg, V Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944; 31st Medical Group Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 8. 30 In addition to U.S. soldiers, the army hospitals admitted 337 U.S. Navy men, 486 Allied personnel, 6,207 enemy POWs, and 812 civilians. For statistics, see: First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, apps. 11, 17, 26, and 29; VII Corps Medical Plan, p. 29, encl. 1 to Surg, VII Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944; Medical Bulletins, 2d Infantry Division, June and July 1944, box 388, RG 112, NARA. 31 Quotation from "Operation 4th Division between Carentan and Perriers, 6-15 July 1944," in 4th Infantry Division Combat Intervs, box 24020, RG 407, NARA. For general descriptions of hedgerow terrain and combat, see Harrison, Cross-Channel, p. 284, and Blumenson, Breakout and Pursuit, pp. 1213 and 40-45. 32 Quotation from Bradley, Aid Man, p. 51. See also ibid., pp. 48-70; Tegtmeyer "Dairy," bk. II, pp. 15-16. 33 Quotation from Bradley, Aid Man, p. 59. See Surg, First U.S. Army, Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 79; Surg, VIII Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 5; Surg, XIX Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944, encl. 14 and an. E, p. 1; Memo, CO, 104th Medical Battalion, to Surg, Ninth Army, 12 Jun 45, sub: Division Medical Service, box 355, RG 112, NARA; Medical Bulletins, 2d Infantry Division, June and July 1944, box 388, RG 112, NARA; Rpt, Surg, 9th Infantry Division, 1944, sub: Medical Activities-Marigny Sector, box 388, RG 112, NARA; 4th Medical Battalion Report of Operations, 6-30 Jun 44, box 6727, RG 407, NARA; Interv, Medical History Branch, CMH, with Ambassador Elliot Richardson (hereafter cited as Richardson Interv), 8 Nov 79, tape 1, sides 1 and 2, CMH; Surg, Ninth U.S. Army, Daily Journal, 9 Jul 44, in William E. Shambora Papers, MHI; 53d Medical Battalion Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 6-7. 34 Surg, XIX Corps, Annual Rpt, 1994, encls. 15-16. 35 Quotation from Memo, Kenner, 13 Jul 44, sub: Report of Inspection of Medical Service in Liberated Areas, in Medical Division, COSSAC/SHAEF, War Diary, July 1944. For 4th Medical Battalion statistics, see 4th Medical Battalion Report of Operations, 6-30 Jun 44, box 6727, RG 407, NARA. On the 83d Division, see VII Corps Medical Plan, pp. 33 and 35, encl. 1 to Surg, VII Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944, and 134th Medical Group Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 8. For other examples of collecting and clearing station activities, see Medical Bulletin, 2d Infantry Division, June 1944, box 388, RG 112, NARA; Rpt, Surg, 9th Infantry Division, 1944, sub: Medical Activities-Marigny Sector, box 388, RG 112, NARA; 1st Medical Battalion After-Action Rpts, May, June, and July 1944, box 5966, RG 407, NARA; Richardson Interv, tape 2, side 1, CMH. 36 VII Corps Medical Plan, p. 20, encl. 1 to Surg, VII Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944; Rpt, Surg, 9th Infantry Division, 1944, sub: Medical Activities-Marigny Sector, box 388, RG 112, NARA; Surg, 83d Infantry Division, Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 3. 37 Quotation from 4th Medical Battalion Report of Operations, 6-30 Jun 44, box 6727, RG 407, NARA. For other expressions of this view, see Memo, Kenner to CofS, SHAEF, 20 Jun 44, sub: Report of Inspection ETO, and Memo, Kenner, 13 Jul 44, sub: Report of Inspection of Medical Service in Liberated Areas, both in Medical Division, COSSAC/ SHAEF, War Diary, June and July 1944; and Medical Bulletin, 2d Infantry Division, box 388, RG 112, NARA. Less favorable views of the Germans are in VII Corps Medical Plan, p. 20, encl. I to Surg, VII Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944; Tegtmeyer "Diary," bk. II, p. 15; Richardson Interv, tape 1, side 2, CMH; and Bradley, Aid Man, p. 49. On Red Cross markings, see Surg, XIX Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944; Surg, 29th Infantry Division, Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 13; Surg, 35th Infantry Division, Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 4-5; and Rpt, Lt Col C. L. Milburn, Jr., 28 Jun 44, sub: Report of Medical Officer Observer in France, 19-26 Jun 1944, in Shambora Papers, MHI. 38 First quotation from Bradley, Aid Man, p. 62. Second quotation from Statement by Lt. Joseph Kormylo, in 82d Airborne Division Combat Intervs, box 24057, RG 407, NARA. See also Blumenson, Breakout and Pursuit, pp. 83-84 and 137; Surg, First U.S. Army, Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 117-18; First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, p. 105; 68th Medical Group, Report of Evacuation of Enemy Casualties From Vicinity Cherbourg, 19 Jul 44, in 68th Medical Group Annual Rpt, 1944. 39 First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, p. 71; 31st and 68th Medical Groups Annual Rpts, 1944; Surg, V Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 9; Surg, VII Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 10; Surg, XIX Corps, Annual Rpt, p. 5. 40 Quotation from Memo, Kenner to CofS, SHAEF, 20 Jun 44, sub: Report of Inspection ETO, in Medical Division, COSSAC/SHAEF, War Diary, July 1944. In same file, see Memo, Kenner to CAdminOf, 26 Jul 44, sub: Evacuation of Casualties by Air. See also Professional Services Division, OofCSurg, HQ ETOUSA, Annual Rpt, 1944, Chief Consultant in Surgery sec., pp. 12-13; First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, pp. 69-70; John W. Pace, "Air Evacuation in the European Theater of Operations," Air Surgeon's Bulletin 2 (October 1945): 324; Dowling, Normandy Rpt, I1 Jan 45, p. 17; Rpt, ProvESBGp, 30 Sep 44, sub: Operation NEPTUNE, pp. 115, 335, 339; VII Corps Medical Plan, pp. 21-22, encl. 1 to Surg, VII Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944; 134th Medical Group Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 8. 41 Dowling, Normandy Rpt, 11 Jan 45, p. 17; Rpt, ProvESBGp, 30 Sep 44, sub: Operation NEPTUNE, pp. 335-36; 60th Medical Battalion Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 11-13; 61st Medical Battalion Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 6-7 and 10; 393d Collecto-Clearing Company Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 11-12. 42 First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, pp. 69-70; Dowling, Normandy Rpt, 11 Jan 45, pp. 17-18 and app. N; 261st Medical Battalion Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 3. 43 First quotation from Ltr, Hawley to TSG, 26 Jun 44, file HD 024 ETO O/CS (Hawley-SGO Corresp). Second quotation from 51st Field Hospital Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 24-25; see also pp. 8-11. Third quotation from 3d Auxiliary Surgical Group Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 33; see also pp. 3-4, 32, 3435, 44-46. See First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, pp. 72-73 and 96-97; Rpt, Milburn, 28 Jun 44, sub: Report of Medical Officer Observer in France, 19-26 June 1944, Shambora Papers, MHI. 44 Quotation from 41st Evacuation Hospital Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 60. See also First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, p. 72. 45 First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, pp. 73, 81-82, 98-99; First U.S. Army Command journal, 27 Jun 44; Mins,'First U.S. Army Surgeons Conference, 25 Jun 44, in First U.S. Army Log, D-Day through D+56; Medical News No. 10, First U.S. Army, 28 Jun 44; 3d Auxiliary Surgical Group Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 32-35 and 44-46; 31st Medical Group Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 10-11 and 13; Surg, XIX Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 5 and an. B; Carter, ed., Surgical Consultants, 2:220-22 and 227. For examples of the problem and its solutions in various units, see 24th, 32d, 41st, 91st, and 128th Evacuation Hospitals Annual Rpts, 1944. 46 Kenner quotations from Memo, Kenner, 13 Jul 44, sub: Report of Inspection of Medical Service in Liberated Areas, and Memo, Kenner to CofS, SHAFT, 20 Jun 44, sub: Report of Inspection ETO, 20 Jun 44, both in Medical Division, COSSAC/ SHAEF, War Diary, June July 1944. Rogers quotation from First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, pp. 100-101. Cutler quotations from Carter, ed., Surgical Consultants, 2:22021 (see 2:217-18). See also Ltr, Hawley to TSG, 26 Jun 44, file HD 024 ETO O/CS (Hawley-SGO Corresp); VII Corps Medical Plan, p. 30, encl. 1 to Surg, VII Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944. For environmental conditions, see Company D, 4th Medical Battalion, Monthly Sanitary Rpts, June and July 1944, box 6730, RG 407, NARA. 47 First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, pp. 88-93; VII Corps Medical Plan, pp. 29, 32, 43, encl. 1 to Surg, VII Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944; Rpt, Milburn, 28 Jun 44, sub: Report of Medical Officer Observer in France, 1926 June 1944, Shambora Papers, MHI. For orders on Atabrine, see, for example, 1st Medical Battalion journal, 19 Jul 44, box 5967, RG 407, NARA. 48 Quotation from Memo, Maj D. L. Weintrob, 20 Oct 44, sub: Meeting the Problem of Combat Exhaustion, in 29th Infantry Division Combat Intervs, box 24035, RG 407, NARA; in same file, see Weintrob Interv, 2 Oct 44. See also First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, pp. 82-85 and 106; Surg, First U.S. Army, Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 130-34; Surg, XIX Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944, encl. 16; 134th Medical Group Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 8; 618th and 622d Clearing Companies Annual Rpts, 1944. 49 For an extended clinical and administrative review of neuropsychiatry in the ETO, see Chapter XI of this volume. 50 First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, pp. 70, 77-79, 148-53; Rpt, Milburn, 28 Jun 44, sub: Report of Medical Officer Observer in France, 19-26 June 1944, Shambora Papers, MHI; Surg, XIX Corps, Annual Rpt, 1944, encl. 14; Surg, 1st Infantry Division, Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 10. 51 First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, pp. 77 and 100; Chief Consultant in Surgery sec., Professional Services Division, OofCSurg, HQ ETOUSA, Annual Rpt, 1944, p. 11; Kendrick, Blood Program, pp. 484-86 and 55354; Wiltse, ed., Medical Supply, p. 302; HQ ETOUSA, Blood Bank (152d Station Hospital) Annual Rpt, 1944, pp. 3-4; Rpt, Milburn, 28 Jun 44, sub: Report of Medical Officer Observer in France, 19-26 June 1944, Shambora Papers, MHI. 52 First U.S. Army Report of Operations, 20 Oct 43-1 Aug 44, bk. VII, pp. 108-09; Rpt, Milburn, 28 Jun 44, sub: Report of Medical Officer Observer in France, 19-26 June 1944, Shambora Papers, MHI; Memo, Kenner to ACofS, G-4, SHAEF, 21 Jul 44, sub: Present Status of Fixed US Hospital Beds, UK and Continent, in Medical Division, COSSAC/ SHAEF, War Diary, July 1944, which reflects the concern at the delay in organizing the Normandy COMZ. |