APPENDIX 3.              No 1 Section, 127 Para Field Ambulance.

Subject: Narrative Reports.

Strength:          1 Officer (Capt. Mitchell).

                        9 O.R’s.

Dropped with M.M.G. Plt, 4 (P) Btn (five bodies in each of two Sticks). All landed approximately 1000 yards West of St Michel.

By 0600 hrs, 1 Officer and 1 O.R had assembled at 4 (P) Btn R.V.

By 0800 hrs, 3 O.R’s still missing. R.A.P. established in farmhouse at Grutes.

By 0930 hrs, first Glider wave landed. 4 casualties dealt with, and evacuated to Surgical Centre at Le Mitan.

By 1045 hrs, all O.R’s had reported in, although one O.R was still with the Surgical Centre at Le Mitan.

At 1100 hrs, visited by Lt-Col. Parkinson. Capt. Irwin established forward R.A.P. in wood 1000 yards due South.

No casualties were collected from second wave of Gliders in the evening.

Total casualties treated on D-Day:        

Number evacuated to Surgical Centre    6.

Number treated but not evacuated          3.

At 1200 hrs D+1 day, received orders to report with four men to Surgical Centre. Casualties treated up to 1200 hrs on D+1 day = 14.

Number evacuated to Surgical Centre    6.

Number treated but not evacuated          8.

(Signed) J.P. Mitchell, Capt, RAMC.

APPENDIX 4.              No 2 Section, 127 Para field ambulance.

Subject: Narrative Reports.

Capt. A.L. Kerr, R.C.A.M.C.

15 August 44.

After a smooth run in, Stick 16, with Lt. V. Taylor, 6^th Bn as stick Commander, dropped at approximately 0500 hrs. The Stick made a rapid exit and the Crew Chief threw out a stretcher bundle with ‘Q’ chute as instructed after I had jumped (15).

Passing through light cloud, I saw trees and bushes below, but no features resembling those of our expected D.Z. My quick release Everest carrier, weighing approx. 50 pounds, crashed through a high tree followed by myself.

After crossing a concertina type wire fence I met several of my Stick. Lost sappers were shouting for their comrades, but after about 15 minutes had concentrated on a track preparatory to collecting their containers.

No landmarks could be picked out in the half light, so I proposed enquiring from a nearby farm as to our whereabouts. After a little indiscriminate firing by a rifleman covering the house, I exchanged pass-words with Capt. McHarg, R.E. who had brought up the remainder of the R.E. Party, and had just reached the farm. We found our location to be Marchandise, and our D.Z. to have been in the area of 478516 [478416]. With S/Sgt. McKenna and Cpl. Silcott I followed the R.E. Party. My Corporal was unable to manage his load and we had eventually to leave his large pack behind, and make our own way.

After moving almost due West Cpl. Silcott and I reached St Michel 4243 at 0730 hrs. As no other medical personnel had arrived I attended to some Glider casualties and had rooms cleared for later use. Cpl. Silcott was left here with instructions to stay as long as required. After reporting to the S.M.O. I rejoined the 6^th Para Btn.

At 1700 hrs, I took over the ‘B’ Coy Aid Post in La Motte and treated a number of Glider casualties.

Capt. Stock, with the remainder of our men arrived at about 1900 hrs.

Of my Section attached to 6^th Btn, Pte. Patterson did not report with his Company. Of the men attached to other Btn’s Pte. Cox was killed. Pte. Cowin and Pte. Rees failed to reach the Bde area.

16 Aug to 17 Aug with R.A.P. in La Motte.

18 Aug rejoined 127 Para Field Amb.

19 August 44.

(Signed) A.L. Kerr, Capt, R.C.A.M.C.