Subject: Narrative Reports.                   (3)

HQ

2 Independent Parachute Brigade Group.

Reference your AQ 15, para 3 of 18 August, herewith Narrative Reports as follows:-

Appendix 1.     SMO.                                                               [A/C: 44.]

Appendix 2.     Surgical Team, including No 3 Section.             [A/C: 62.]

Appendix 3.     No 1 Section.                                                   [A/C: 110.]

Appendix 4.     No 2 Section.                                                   [A/C: 16.]

Appendix 5.     Detachment attached 5 Battalion.                      [A/C: 74.]

CMF.

19 Aug 44.

Lieut-Col, RAMC.

Comd 127 Para Fld Amb.

APPENDIX 1.

Report of SMO 2 Indep Para Bde Gp.

The SMO and 3 O.R’s dropped with brigade HQ and landed East of LE MITAN. RAMC personnel were dropped over a very wide area, consequently all the reserve medical equipment dropped by container was lost.

By 0730 hours, D-Day, a dressing Station had been set up in a barn at LE MITAN in order to treat DZ casualties, and in preparation for Glider landings, due to commence at 0814 hours; the original plan of establishing a Dressing Station at ST MICHEL was temporarily abandoned because of the tactical situation.

At 1000 hours, approximately, it was obvious that many of the casualties already collected were in need of surgical treatment and an operating theatre was set up in a small house in LE MITAN, in which Major. G.C. Wells and Capt. T.B. McMurray did excellent work under adverse conditions (bad accommodation and a shortage of Orderlies being the greatest difficulties; at one stage it was necessary for these two officers to carry in their own cases, operate on them, and carry them out of the theatre).

During the morning and afternoon the SMO made a rapid survey of the area, visiting the 4^th and 6^th Battalions.

By midday it was apparent that the existing accommodation was inadequate, and, in view of the Glider landings due to take place in the evening, further accommodation must be sought. SMO consulted the Brigade Commander, asking permission to move to ST MICHEL. This was granted, and Capt. D.T. Rowlands was sent to ST MICHEL to organize it for the reception of the Surgical Team and casualties. The move of patients, except for four unfit to move, and equipment was completed by 1930 hours, in spite of a shortage of transport and the landing of gliders during the move which necessitated Orderlies being diverted to deal with LZ casualties. The latter was essential because no adequate arrangements had been made by the US Medical Corps to deal with their own LZ casualties. The accommodation vacated by the Parachute Field Ambulance was taken over by the US Medical Corps.

By 2030 hours the operating Theatre at ST MICHEL was set up, and the Surgical Team re-commenced work, continuing until 0200 hours D+1.

Up till approximately 2100 hours the collection and treatment of all casualties was carried out by 127 Parachute Field ambulance; after this time US Army Medical Corps took over the responsibility of US casualties.

By midday D+1 all urgent surgical treatment had been completed and 63 cases were being accommodated in the Dressing Station, several having been transferred to the US Dressing Station, which on D+1 moved to a site East of ST MICHEL. The remainder of the day was spent in treating casualties and sick and sorting out casualties already treated.

Evacuation by Ambulance Car to the Beach Head commenced on the afternoon of D+2.

In the evening of D+2 the first casualties sustained by the 5^th Battalion, North of the Brigade area began to arrive and were treated.

By midday of 18 August all serious casualties, except for one German POW had been evacuated.

Re-Supply.

Automatic re-supply on D+1 yielded only one intact Medical Pannier out of thirteen, and a further demand was submitted, and delivered on D+2, approximately 70% being recovered.

Transport.

Five jeeps, fitted with stretcher racks, were supplied by 64 Light Battery, R.A. and 300 Anti-Tank Battery, R.A., and were invaluable. One German truck was obtained by SMO on D-Day, and handed over to Brigade HQ on D+1.

APPENDIX 1.

Report of SMO 2 Indep para Bde Gp.    (Sheet Two)

Conclusions.

1). The inclusion of a Surgical Team in the Airborne Force has been justified, and great credit is due to them for the work done under difficult conditions.

2). The determination of the medical personnel dropped wide of the DZ who marched considerable distances to reach the RV with their full loads is worthy of note.

3). Many valuable technical lessons have been learnt.

4). The loss of containers and the failure of Automatic Re-Supply have confirmed the belief that all essential equipment must be carried down on the man.

CMF.

19 Aug 44.

Lieut-Col, RAMC.

SMO 2 Indep Para Bde Gp.

APPENDIX 2.

Surgical Team 127 Para Fld Amb, including No 3 Section.

Narrative Report.          15 August to 18 August 44.

The Surgical Team (Capt. McMurray and Major. Wells) with No 3 Section Field Ambulance (Capt. Rowlands) made up two complete C.47 Sticks in G group. Both Sticks were dropped off the DZ, on the wrong side of LA MOTTE. Each man jumped with a heavy Bergen rucksack and neck release, and only one of these loads parted company in the air; all the others were brought to the RV. Each aircraft had three containers of medical equipment which were dropped wide and looted.

In spite of very careful briefing, the jumping drill was messed up. No red light was given, green came on, and No 1 (Capt. McMurray) was given “go”. At the same moment the Crew Chief salvoed the containers. In consequence, there was a collision in the air, and No 1’s chute was wrapped around the containers. Capt. McMurray came down on the container and got away (miraculously) with concussion and abrasions of the face, and was helped up by a French woman, when he came to, about an hour after landing. The Stick made its way in twos and threes to the DZ and arrived at brigade HQ at about 0730 hrs. There were a good many stray bullets whistling overhead, mainly from our own trigger-happy troops.

Having arrived at LE MITAN, we helped with DZ casualties, who were put in a barn. At the time we were not allowed to go to ST MICHEL, and as there were one or two severe casualties arriving, we had to start operating in a small four roomed house at LE MITAN (which was quite unsuitable for the job).

We did eight operations here, mainly compound fractures, and one abdominal case.

At about 1900 hours 15 August we moved the Surgical Team to ST MICHEL. Capt. Rowlands and S/Sgt. Cargill had done a splendid job in organising the place for us: they had got additional beds, blankets, mattresses, and German medical equipment ready for use.

We started operating again at about 2030 hours 15 August and finished the priority list at about 0200 hours 16 August.

After a welcome sleep, we started operating again at about 0900 hours, and caught up with the work by midday.

17 August. We continued operating, and treating cases already done. Just after midday a convoy of American Ambulance Cars arrived, and we were able to start evacuation to Hospital Ship.

18 August. A few fresh cases were treated, and evacuation almost completed.

ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS.

                                    Femur.                                        Tib & Fib.

Abdominal - 2      Compound - 2      Simple - 2           Compound - 6      Simple - 6           Pott’s Fracture -3

                                                                              (1 Amputation)

Arm & Wrist.                                      Flesh Wounds.

Compound - 7      Simple - 4            Arm - 2    Leg - 6     Neck - 1               For Inguinal gland - 1

TOTAL 42.

Anaesthetics.                 Pentothal.       39

                                    Chloroform.      3.

Fresh whole blood transfusions.            7.

Plasma and saline ad lib.

ACCOMMODATION.

Buildings chosen at ST MICHEL were adequate for a Surgical Centre. There was water laid on, but not lighting. The Tilley lamp (special pattern) served well in the theatre, but was very ???

[LINE MISSING]

APPENDIX 2.

Surgical Team 127 Para Fld Amb, including No 3 Section.

Narrative Report.          15 August to 18 August 44. (Sheet Two)

The French were co-operative about producing beds and bedding. The Section did splendidly, producing cooked meals for patients and staff from 24 hour ration, local produce, German captured rations, etc.

OTHER NOTES.

Most casualties were from DZ or LZ. For these, accommodation was adequate. If more fighting had taken place, we should have managed to carry on operating and nursing at ST MICHEL. The accommodation chosen by the US Medical Collecting Company was totally inadequate, and one must once again stress the importance of getting into good buildings before being flooded with casualties.

BLOOD TRANSFUSION.

The immense benefit of fresh whole blood in certain cases was well demonstrated. Having had most of the Brigade grouped in advance, we had donors available for giving blood. The apparatus brought for fresh transfusion (which I believe has not been attempted in this type of operation before) worked excellently, and many more transfusions could have been given if necessary. I took blood from minor wounded, POW’s, Americans, and our own Medical Orderlies.

MINOR CASUALTIES.

No 3 Section, Field Ambulance, Capt. Rowlands, and Capt. Mitchell dealt with minor cases who did not require operation.

TOTAL CASUALTIES.

Casualties through Surgical Centre for the period of this report were:-

                        Officers.          OR’s.               Total.

British.             6.                    93.                   99.

American.        5.                    33.                   38.

POW.               1.                     3.                       4. 

                                                                      141

19 Aug 44.                               (Signed) G.C. Wells, Major, RAMC.

INCIDENT.

Death of Pte. Cox. RAMC.

Pte. Cox was working at the Surgical Centre at LE MITAN on the evening of D-Day.

He saw a glider turn over, and ran up to it to help get casualties out. A man came out of another glider close by, ran towards Pte. Cox and shot him dead through the head.

19 Aug 44.                               (Signed) G.C. Wells, Major, RAMC.

                                                                        127 Para Fld Amb.