The formation of the RAMC before the start of WWI revolutionized medical care for British troops and WWII was to see this corps expand and make further significant advances in combat medical care. This thoroughly researched work tells a story that has long been taken for granted – Most Highly Recommended.
NAME: Faithful In Adversity, The Royal Army Medical Corps In The Second World War FILE: R3030 AUTHOR: John Broom PUBLISHER: Pen & Sword BINDING: hard back PRICE: £25.00 GENRE: Non Fiction SUBJECT: WWII, World War II, World War 2, Second World War, medical care, field medicine, Casualty Evacuation, Field Hospitals, ambulances, Jeep
ISBN: 1-52674-955-6
IMAGE: B3030.jpg BUYNOW: tinyurl.com/y56u6vup LINKS: DESCRIPTION: The formation of the RAMC before the start of WWI revolutionized medical care for British troops and WWII was to see this corps expand and make further significant advances in combat medical care. This thoroughly researched work tells a story that has long been taken for granted – Most Highly Recommended. The Royal Army Medical Corps was established in time for the carnage of WWI and performed very well, although it was also known as Rob All My Comrades by the soldiers in the trenches, and not always affectionately. One of the reasons for less than full affection was the number of Conscientious Objectors who volunteered for service in the RAMC. Troops under continuous shelling failed to see that the Objectors were just as courageous as those holding rifles. It also has to be admitted that there were those amongst the stretcher bearers who were as happy to save a gold ring or a watch as the casualty carrying them. However, the RAMC revolutionized survival rates for British troops and the service had won its spurs in the Great War. When WWII began, the RAMC was in a reasonably good state when set against combat units that had been neglected in the inter war years. The number of qualified Doctors and nurses volunteering rapidly expanded an essential service organization. There had been advances in medical care and this translated to combat environments. Mobile field hospitals kept triage services close to the fighting and there was a well- established chain of care back to convalescent hospitals in Britain and other Allied countries. This was all achieved at a price. Almost 3,000 doctors and orderlies died during the war. Many were killed by bombs and bullets but a number also died from exposure to patients suffering from dangerous tropical disease and some died from the privations of Japanese POW camps which in many cases they were held in because they refused to leave their patients during the retreats. Keeping in the heart of the actions was responsible for the death rate. WWII was a mechanized war and frequently a war of movement in contrast to WWI. The RAMC face many challenges from this war and its weapons but the butchers bill of battle fell proportionately due to the care its medical staff provided quickly and under some very demanding conditions. That also introduced a further price later because politicians failed to make appropriate provision for all of those service personnel who survived what had previously been fatal wounds and sickness. That trend has sadly continued to this day with a failure to provide post combat care for PTSD and serious injuries. Fortunately, some of this neglect has been made up for by outstanding charities.