I am sure this is a pretty basic question, but I wanted to ask if Medics in WW2 normally carried weapons? I am told they only carried pistols, but I am sure they picked up a rifle now and then? any insight on this would be great. Any info is appreciated! -Bunker
Officially, medics were not allowed to be armed (neither were padres). However, cases of armed medics have been noted, but the enemy frowned upon it. They would then lose any protection that they may have under the Geneva convention.
They didn't even carry pistols? Basically I think you are saying they just had all their medic gear and thats it, just confirming Did most german/american troops honor the 'no shooting medics' rule, or was it just hard to tell during a fight?
Each country did interpret the rules differently! The US army did allow some medics to carry pistols for personal protection, and the protectionof their patients. This is a good site: The World War II Combat Medic As to the treatment of medics in combat conditions, their treatment varied. On some fronts, medics of both sides were treated very well. However, there were cases where medics were shot (I can't remember if it was in North Africa but medics stared wearing two or more Red Cross armbands after a number had been shot - it seems that the official cross could not be seen, and they weren't targeted on purpose)
Not true, Kyt-- the Geneva Conventions specifically allow medical personnel to be armed "for the defense of themselves and their patients". Being armed would NOT lose them their protection of the Conventions (such as it was). Doc
Just reading this in 5th Div History , at Anzio '44. ...four Germans arrived opposite 1 KOYLI bearing the Red Cross Flag and purporting to bury their dead. When it became obvious that they were paying rather more than the usual attention to the defensive lay-out they were promptly captured and found to have hand grenades in their pockets. Next day the German Commander of 4th Parachute Division , whose men they were, sent over a demand for their return , in mortar shells, quoting at length , the Geneva Convention. No time was wasted by the GOC in replying with 400 copies of a terse but apt reply delivered by 25-pounder shell and nothing more was heard of the incident. From same book, more suspected abuse of the Red Cross Flag. A prominent house near Fossignano ahead of the fortress Area, which was flying a Red Cross flag, must have been used as an enemy O.P. as well, according to a report from 1 Y & L , who claimed they had clearly seen an observer at the window during the day, with binoculars . Although visibility was restricted by the weather , it would have to be watched in the future, for it just could not be believed that it was a Medical orderly looking for casualties.
Wow, all great info. I guess I need to explain more why I need the info in the first place. I am (indie) making a game called "Bunker" with a designer/artist/programmer, I am also an artist. I made a concept of a Medic with a Garand rifle (sorry if I get any terminology wrong), and I was told they either didn't carry weapons, or they only had a pistol. For the game I am thinking they will of course play more of a support role, but I would like them to be able to defend themselves. What do you think? Also, would you mind if I posted a thread about the game, in the Games section? I wasn't sure how appropriate it was.
Just reading this in 5th Div History , at Anzio '44. From same book, more suspected abuse of the Red Cross Flag. I think Anzio was a pretty emergency situation to begin with, All personel where just rounded up and placed in the line. The medics may well have been medics. Kev
I posted in the online gaming section. The games name is "Bunker: Battle for Normandy". Tell us what you think when you get a chance.
Going back to medics and not the game, just seen this photo of British stretcher bearers with Red Cross painted on their helmets. Not seen British troops with that before. Stretcher bearers pass Sherman tanks in Portomaggiore, 19 April 1945
Wow, all great info. I guess I need to explain more why I need the info in the first place. I am (indie) making a game called "Bunker" with a designer/artist/programmer, I am also an artist. I made a concept of a Medic with a Garand rifle (sorry if I get any terminology wrong), and I was told they either didn't carry weapons, or they only had a pistol. For the game I am thinking they will of course play more of a support role, but I would like them to be able to defend themselves. What do you think? Also, would you mind if I posted a thread about the game, in the Games section? I wasn't sure how appropriate it was. To answer the question normally your medic would not be armed at all. Pistol at most. No binoculars or anything like that either. An armed medic would likely be fired on. Kev
Medics were never armed. After a pretty fierce battle, the wounded would be sorted out, and it would not be surprising to find a Tommy on one end of stretcher and German prisoner on the other. The RAMC did wonderful work in the field and had some very horrible things to deal with. The Royal Army Medical Corps/RAMC.the standing joke was that it stood for "rob all my comrades" In fact they did wonders. We captured a German Paratroop Doctor, and he stayed with us for some time treating both German and Brits wounded. The first treatment was at a field dressing station, often right up in the thick it. They would establish a station anywhere they could, sometimes just a hole in a bank of earth. The wounded on both sides would be strewn about outside, a pretty ghastly sight. Shell, mortar or bullet do not select where they strike. So some of the injuries were a bloody awful mess. The saddest time was to see the Padre leaning over a young man on a stretcher, saying "You do not have long. Is there anything I can do for you" In one case a little voice said "Write to me Mum" Then shortly after the muddy khaki army blanket was pulled over the young mans head. Sapper
I think that we should sumerise that although in general medics were not armed (thanks Sapper) they could arm themselfs if they REALLY had to. I personally havn't heard of any medics arming themselfs at Arnham though? Was that the case?
Yes in some cases they did, can imagine of course specialy at the end, everybody had to take up arms, although not in the Aid posts area, but mostly in the out perimeter it happened, not sure ofcourse if they then kept the red cross bassard on, probalby not
Read today in Smashing The Atlantic Wall by Patrick Delaforce. It has this quote from Lt David Nutting, OC B Troop, 30th Assault Unit . A combined RN/RM unit. Enemy snipers were a menace; they even sniped at medical personnel. One of our medics, Squinty Johnson, had been shot through the knee while attending one of our wounded, and there were several near misses reported by other SBAs. They became fed up with this and armed themselves with rifles to retaliate. I don't think the German troops were responsible for this ; it was more likely the rubbish they had recruited from Eastern Europe, a belief made more concrete by our previous experinces in Yugoslavia.
Lovely colour photo of British stretcher bearer. Might look his Recommendation up on TNA site.Pity it's £3.50 Here>>The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details TR 2010 Lance Corporal G Baldwin, 7th Battalion, Green Howards receives the Military Medal from General Sir Bernard Montgomery for his gallantry as a stretcher bearer during a battle around a radio-location station after the Normandy landings.
