Medics

Discussion in 'General' started by Bunker, May 7, 2007.

  1. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Private Sydney Baldwin MM, 7 Green Howards

    Awarded MM.

    Whilst employed as a Coy Stretcher Bearer in an attack in the St. Leger area of 7 Jun 44, Pte Baldwin went forward with another stretcher bearer to tend some men wounded by enemy MG fire from 20 yards range. Whilst he was doing so, the MG crew surrendered and came forward to give themselves up. Another MG then opened fire from 30 to 40 yards range on friend and foe alike. Although his companion was killed, Pte Baldwincarried on attending the wounded and consoling them.

    His courage and conduct under this close fire was quite outstanding and was a rare example and a grand inspiration to his comrades.



    31.8.44
     
    Owen likes this.
  2. Groundhugger

    Groundhugger Senior Member

    I should think quite a few Medics were also 'conscientious objector's' who's belief forbid them to kill another person , but served in the RAMC .
     
  3. Pte Tetley

    Pte Tetley Junior Member

    hi, i'm starting to get some paperwork together for my British WW2 medic kit, does any one have any PDFs or Printable files of British paperwork, "drivers licence, leave pass, medic boxes that sort of thing", also i'm am looking for some ww2 ration boxes or labels "British if anyone has them" but if not american K ration will be alright.

    Any help will be much appreciated
     
  4. airborne medic

    airborne medic Very Senior Member

    In the book Red Berets and Red Crosses there are pictures of some of the kit used by the airborne medics.....obviously some were 'special' airborne items but others exactly the same as used by the ground medics......
     
  5. Pte Tetley

    Pte Tetley Junior Member

    cheers i'am a airborne medic so i'll take a look
     
  6. There were some general guidelines on the arming of medical personnel that it's possible to find, though all were subject to the realities of life in the field.

    The RAMC were unarmed, with two major caveats. Firstly, all RAMC commissioned officers were entitled to carry a pistol. This was extended to all other RAMC personnel in both Airborne and Commando formations/units. RAMC personnel, officers aside, in 'standard' Infantry or Armoured Divisions would not be armed. Unit stretcher-bearers in the infantry were still infantry personnel, and from mid-war onwards were authorised a Sten gun, though I don't think they tried to carry the weapon with them when they were attended the casualties.

    German unit medical personnel (the stretcher-bearers in each Platoon and medical NCOs in each Company) were authorised pistols, likewise their equivalent of MOs. I believe medical units proper were entitled to be armed, though again hefting a rifle and a stretcher could be a little incongruous to say the least.

    My understanding is that US Army medical personnel were not armed, however in the Pacific theatre Navy Corpsmen attached to the USMC were authorised M1 carbines for self-defence purposes, and this may have extended to US Army personnel also.
     
  7. Pte Tetley

    Pte Tetley Junior Member

    so if i've read your post correctly all R.A.M.C personnel carried weapons "pistol". as i'm a medical orderly am i entitled to carry a pistol or other weapon?
     
  8. Medic7922

    Medic7922 Senior Member

    so if i've read your post correctly all R.A.M.C personnel carried weapons "pistol". as i'm a medical orderly am i entitled to carry a pistol or other weapon?

    Not every RAMC medical Orderly carried any sidearms, but RAMC Paratrooper medics often carried a pistol, Take a look in "Red Crosses & red Berets" I think there is an image of a Medic wearing a sidearm, I am writing this from work so do not have my copy to hand but I am sure Airborne Medic will confirm or deny this.
     
  9. Medic7922

    Medic7922 Senior Member

    Pte Tatley, I am back home now, I looked in my copy of RB & RC and on "page 47" it clearly shows 2 Medical Orderlies from the 181 wearing sidearms.
     
  10. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    I found this reply to the same question an another site.

    World War II Combat Medic http://home.att.net/~combatmedic/ - Individual Medical Kit & Field Equipment: the medical soldier’s typical individual medical kit includes not only 1 Suspender, 2 Canvas Pouches + contents, 2 Cantle Ring Straps, 2 Litter Carrying Straps, 2 Litter securing Straps (for Litter Bearers), but also following individual field equipment items e.g. 1 Pistol Belt M-1936, 1 Canteen M-1910 + Cup M-1910 + Cover, Canteen, Dismounted M-1910 (+ 1 extra set for tending casualties), 1 First Aid-Packet (Carlisle Model) M-1942 + Pouch, First-Aid Packet M-1942 (for personal use), 1 Axe, Entrenching M-1910 + 1 Carrier, Axe, Entrenching M-1910 (sometimes replaced by T-Handle Entrenching Tool M-1910 + Carrier, or Folding-type E-Tool M-1943 + Carrier), 1 Haversack M-1928 + Carrier Pack M-1928 & Meatcan Pouch, 1 Helmet, Steel M-1 + Liner, with Red Cross markings (wide variety of different markings, since no rules), 1 Geneva Convention Brassard M-1924 on left arm (later 2 Brassards, and introduction of Red Cross Tabard, following German use), 1 Geneva Convention I.D. Card for Military and Civilian Protected Personnel . (Med Det personnel of course received the complete Infantry outfit – except weapons – including, Raincoat, Shelter Half + accessories, Blanket, Gasmask, Clothing, Underwear, Toiletries, Mess Kit, Field Rations, etc.)

    Geneva Convention & Arms: medical personnel were forbidden by the Geneva Convention to carry arms – but they did sometimes carry a Trench Knife M-3 + Scabbard M-8 (to help cut up clothing to reach wounds) . Other cases were also reported ! though this was not permitted … it is however funny to note that Army Regulations governing "Wear of pistol in field: pistol (or revolver) with holster and clips including 21 rounds of ammunition, will be worn by Officers and Warrant Officers in the field . It will NOT be worn by Chaplains ! It WILL be worn by Officers of the Medical Department ONLY when necessary for their personal protection …" so how about this, now ? (there is indeed proof of armed medical personnel, and of medics with captured enemy sidearms)

    Did medics carry Rifles or sub-machine guns in WWII? - Yahoo! Answers

    Regards
    Tom
     
  11. Pte Tetley

    Pte Tetley Junior Member

    Cheers, you have helped me very much, cheers mate
     

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