REGISTRY NUMBER

WD-84

 

HEADQUARTERS 120TH EVACUATION HOSPITAL

SEMIMOBILE

                                                   APO 403      US ARMY                                         

 

 

 

 

10 JUNE 1945

AG 319.1

 

SUBJECT:   Medical Department Activities Report.

 

THRU:        Commanding General, XII Corps., APO 312, US Army

 

TO:

 

           

       In compliance with par 6, AR 40-1005 and par 4, Memorandum 40-45, War Department, dated 30 March 1945, the following report is hereby submitted:

 

       I.   ACTIVATION AND HISTORY OF UNIT

 

               The 120th Evacuation Hospital (SM) was activated 25 March 1944 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, per letter Hq Second Army AG 321 (Med 2A) (GNMBD) Subject:  Letter Orders #A521, dated 14 March 1944.  On that date the strength was one (1) medical officer, one (1) dental officer and twenty-three (23) enlisted men (cadre from 65th Infantry Division) present for duty.   Major ORAM R. LAWRY,  JR. as senior

medical officer present for duty assumed command.  Twelve (12) enlisted men from 598th Ambulance Company (Separate), Camp Roberts, California joined the unit on 26 March 1944 to complete the cadre.

 

     A cadre training program was started on 3 April 1944 in accordance with verbal instructions 24th Headquarters, Special Troops, Second Army.  It consisted of one half (l/2) day of cadre training in basic subjects and methods of teaching.  The other one half (l/2) day was spent in necessary duty to prepare for filler replacements.

 

      WILLIAM E. WILLIAMS, Lt. Col. MC, joined the unit from 185th Medical Battalion Camp Maxey, Texas on 13 April 1944 and as senior medical officer present for duty assumed command.  Cadre training continued and strenuous work was done in order that basic training could be begun.  On 27 April 1944, sixty-five (65) men joined from 114th Evacuation Hospital (SM) par 1, SO #92, 24th Headquarters, Special Troops, Second Army.  One mess hall was now in operation and cadre training continued.  Communication from Headquarters Second Army to reorganize under T/O and E 8-581 dated 25 March 1944 was received and complied with on 2 May 1944.  During this period weekly inspections were made and marked improvement was shown each week.  On 8 May 1944, unit received ninety-two (92) enlisted men from Fort Sill Reception Center, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and on the following day twenty-six (26) men were transferred to the 80th Portable Surgical Hospital, Camp Shelby, Mississippi.  The remainder of this week was spent processing the fillers from Fort Sill Reception Center, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.  Cadre training was in its sixth and final week.  With the addition of the fillers it now became necessary to open a second mess hall.

       Monday, 15 May 1944 basic training was started, preceded by an orientation by Lt. Col. WILLIAMS.  Training was in compliance with MTP 8-101 and directives from Army Detachment Headquarters, Special Troops.  During the second week of basic training a drivers' school was started for enlisted drivers who had already completed a previous basic training course.  The Unit was inspected by Lt. Col. VAN WAGNER, Second Army Surgeon's Office on 23 May 1944 and at 1700 on the same day, Lt. Col. WILLIAMS reviewed Second Army Troops at Retreat Parade.  The 120th Evacuation Hospital was attached to the 114th Evacuation Hospital for this parade.  At this time the strength of the unit was eight (8) officers and one hundred eighty-four (184) enlisted men. 

       Strength of enlisted men was increased on 31 May 1944 by the addition of fifty (50) enlisted men from Headquarters 26th Infantry Division, Fort Jackson, N.C.  These were followed by nine ( 9) enlisted men assigned from 76th Infantry Division, Camp McCoy, Wisconsin.  An additional program of one week's duration was instituted at this time to bring the recently arrived fillers up to the MTP standard of those men who had been with the unit since the beginning of training.  This training program met with the approval of the 24th Headquarters, Second Army.

        Unit participated in a Retreat parade for all Second Army Special Troops on the post on 14 June 1944.  Showing made by the enlisted men proved that they were improving greatly.  At the time the unit entered its seventh week of basic training (technical phase) the strength of the organization was twelve (12) officers and two hundred twenty-one (221) enlisted men.  A unit softball team had been organized which promptly began to set up a pleasing record.  By the time it was disbanded, it had thirteen (13) victories against one (1) defeat.

        First Sergeant William B. Bull was appointed as a Warrant Officer Junior Grade on 15 July 1944 and sworn in.  On 15 August 1944 the unit underwent satisfactorily its ITP tests.  Upon completion of basic training and ITP, furloughs were given for the first time and morale was high.  Four men transferred to Infantry Officer Candidate School on 28 August 1944, ratings of enlisted men were frozen.  Unit went on eight (8) day bivouac from 24 August to 31 August inclusive.  During this bivouac the hospital was set up for the first time and the unit experimented with double tentage for operating section.  On 18 September the unit once more moved by truck convoy to a bivouac area in De Soto National Park and set up the hospital.  Here they were inspected by Colonel FERGASON, Commanding 24th Headquarters, Special Troops.  At this inspection Colonel FERGASON rated the hospital set up as "excellent."  Unit returned from bivouac 23 September 1944.

        Lt. Col. WILLIAM E. WILLIAMS was promoted to rank of Colonel on 26 September 1944.  Training in accordance with Training Guide TM 8-10 (Unit Training) had begun on 21 August and was completed 21 October 1944.  Unit was given UTP tests on 20 October 1944 and completed them successfully, thereupon, unit began combined training phase.  By 15 November forty (40) nurses had joined unit and assignments of duty had been made on them.  Shortly thereafter unit undertook packing of equipment in preparation for overseas movement in accordance with the provisions of WD directive, Preparation Overseas Movement dated 1 July 1944 and those in the movement order.  Packing was done in conformity with War Department Bulletin 100-14A as far as availability of materials permitted.

       Final preparations were made and at 0900 on 7 December 1944 the unit departed by rail from Camp Shelby, for permanent change of station per letter O. file 370.5 24th Headquarters.  Special Troops, Second Army, Camp Shelby, Mississippi dated 30 October 1944.  Unit strength at this time was thirty (30) officers, one (1) warrant officer, forty (40) nurses and two hundred and seven (207) enlisted men.

       Unit arrived Camp Kilmer, New Jersey at 0830 on 9 December 1944.  There personnel engaged in activities preparatory for overseas movement.  Classes in abondoning ship, security, and final testing of gas masks were attended.  Final immunization was carried out on 10 December 1944.  Final showdown of personal and field equipment was made and on 12th and 13th December men of the organization were given 12-hour passes.  At 2100 15 December, unit departed by rail and water transportation from Camp Kilmer, New Jersey for embarkation--Destination unknown.

       Unit arrived Guroch, Scotland at 2000, 21 December, traveling by water to Guroch, Scotland, at 1700 22 December and thence by rail to Tenby, South Wales arriving in Tenby 1600 23 December 1944.  Personnel were billeted in hotels and Christmas Day was observed.  During the unit's stay in Tenby, leaves and furloughs were granted.  Enlisted men, officers and nurses went on detached service to hospitals in the UK to gain first hand knowledge of methods of treatment of casualties.  Unit's vehicles were drawn and given thorough check for mechanical deficiencies.  Shortages in equipment were made up where such equipment was available and everything given final check in preparation for movement to the Continent.  Unit was alerted and equipment and vehicles processed for short sea voyage in compliance with ETOUSA directive POM-SSV.  The unit left Tenby in two groups.  A train party departed from TENBY at 0625 2 March 1945, and a truck convoy with unit equipment departed 0700 2 March 1945.  An advance party consisting of one (1) officer and five (5) EM had departed five (5) days ahead of main body.

       Unit travelled to Marshalling Area Camp C-5, train party arriving at 1605 2 March 1945 and truck convoy at 1300 3 March 1945.  Truck convoy departed Camp C-5 at 1245 4 March and proceeded to Southhampton to load for Channel crossing.  Vehicles were loaded by1900 and unit arrived at  Le Havre, France 6 March having spent all day 5 March at anchor outside Southhampton.  Vehicles were unloaded by 1100 7 March and convoy proceeded to Camp Twenty-Grand near Duclair, France.

       Train party meanwhile stayed in Marshalling Area until 1300 6 March at which time they left for Southhampton and boarded ship.  Crossing was made and party arrived at Le Havre, France 2000 8 March where they were further split up.  Officers and enlisted men were taken by truck to Camp Twenty-Grand arriving at 0400 9 March while nurses were taken by truck to Mesnieres, France.  During stay at Camp Twenty-Grand, officers and men were housed in tents and messed with Colored Quartermaster Company.  The nurses during their stay at Mesnieres went through a training program which consisted of classes and physical training.   Several clothing and equipment inspections were held.

       Advance party and truck convoy left Camp Twenty Grand for Rambervillers, France on 11 MArch 1945, arriving at Rambervillers at 1300 12 March 1945.  Train party of officers and enlisted men travelled by truck from Camp Twenty Grand to Rouen where they entrained.  Method of travel was by boxcar.  Men were placed twenty (20) to a car.  Cars had no seats or latrine facilities.  Food during the trip consisted of 10 in 1 rations heated by individual heat units.  On the 3d day of travel men were issued "C" type rations.

       The unit's nurses left Mesniers the same day travelling by truck to Forges where they entrained.  The entire train party (officers, nurses and EM) stayed over on a siding outside Paris all day 18 March.  Nurses detrained at Nancy and were transported by unit vehicles to Rambervillers.  Officers and EM detrained at Lunerville and unit vehicles transported them to Rambervillers.  All personnel were quartered in buildings during unit's stay in Rambervillors.  Unit did not function as a hospital.  Movies were arranged by Special Service section of the hospital.  Five (5) days after arrival at Rambervillers, the unit moved forward to set up in field in vicinity of Dettwiller, Alsace.  This was the first time the entire hospital had been set up.  Also the portable disinfector was utilized to provide showers for unit personnel.  Since the area was muddy and became worse the longer we stayed, due to inclement weather, the showers proved to be a major factor in contributing to the upkeep of morale.  During the stay at Dettwiller, twelve (12) nurses were sent on temporary duty to Field Hospitals to gain experience in handling of casualties.

       On 30 March 1945, unit began movement to Gollheim, Germany.  Since the stay at Gollheim was to be brief and the unit was not expected to function, only such tentage as was needed for storage of equipment and housing of personnel was put up.  Then on 4 April 1945, unit began movement to Frankfurt, Germany.  There again, unit was not expected to function and so equipment and personnel tentage only was erected.  Since the unit was not operating, officers and enlisted men took the opportunity of visiting nearby Evacuation Hospital units to observe working procedures used by those units.

       On 14 March, unit was relieved from assignment Fifteenth US Army and assigned Third US Army: Par #3 Troop Assignment #87, Hq 12th Army Group as of 4 April 1945.  The following day, unit started movement to Ettersburg, Germany, to take over medical work at Buchenwald Concentration Camp.  Movement was started at 0600 and completed at 2400.  This was the only movement made by the 120th Evacuation Hospital where vehicles from other units were supplied to supplement T/O and E vehicles.  Tentage was set up to store equipment and house personnel.  Since conditions were so terrible at Buchenwald Concentration Camp, it was declared unfit for nurses and unit's nurses were detached to 121st Evacuation Hospital operating in vicinity of Gotha.

       An inspection of Buchenwald Concentration Camp was made by Col. WILLIAMS and his officers on 17 April 1945 to devise a plan of operation and that afternoon work was started in the camp.  At the time this unit took over the camp there were an estimated 21,000 prisoners there.  The greatest problem facing the unit was one of sanitation.   The water supply had been cut off due to the destruction of one of the mains by explosives.  Latrine facilities in the camp were virtually non-existent and hygiene of any kind was apparently unknown.  Prisoners' barracks were in the worst possible condition.  Lighting was inadequate, barracks were filthy, barracks overcrowded, inmates underfed and underclothed.  Upon taking over the camp, the unit began delousing and cleaning buildings which had formerly housed SS guards.  As these buildings were cleared, the worst cases were transferred.  Before being admitted, patients were thoroughly deloused.  Of those patients admitted and those examined the most prevalent causes of sickness were dysentery, malnutrition and tuberculosis.  Typhus and pneumonia were also quite common.  During the first few days officers and enlisted men moved out of tents and were billeted in buildings.  A mess was set up in the Buchenwald camp to help feed the inmates.  Food consisted of soft and liquid diet (i.e., soup, milk, oatmeal, and meat stew).

       One of the surest signs that the unit's work was effective was the fact that within three (3) days after our taking over the camp, the death rate dropped from one hundred (100) per day to less than thirty (30).  On 19 April 1945 the camp was visited by a body of 10 British Members of Parliament to see at first hand the conditions at the camp.  They were conducted through the camp and wards and were very favorably impressed by the work being done by this unit.  On their inspection they were shown prisoner barracks, children's quarters, the camp crematorium, the notorious "Block 61" and the SS barracks which had been taken over for use as wards.  They spoke with some of the patients, through interpreters and found the patients to be grateful for the care being taken of them by the Americans.

       The following day, 20 April 1945, a group of twelve (12) U.S. Congressmen visited the camp to make a survey of conditions.  They likewise were horrified at living conditions and the treatment of the inmates by the Germans and were greatly impressed with the progress made by this unit in correcting these conditions.

       On 21 April 1945, we were honored by a visit by US Senators sent to investigate the Buchenwald Concentration Camp.  As on the two previous days, a tour of the camp was made and our distinguished visitors left with a clear picture of what they had come to see.  We were relieved from duty on 23 April 1945 but by this time, food had been procured and transported to the camp to provide the patients with a ration comparable to an "A" ration.  Since Buchenwald Concentration Camp was our first chance to function since arriving on the continent, both the officers and enlisted men worked hard to prove their capabilities.  Each person felt that he was accomplishing something and in addition to efficient and cooperative work from all sections, moral was raised to a higher degree.

       Movement to our next area, Kersback, Germany was started at 0600, 25 April 1945 and completed 1800, 28 April 1945 with the return to duty from TDY of the unit's nurses.  Kersback, like Gollhelm and Frankfurt was to be only a bivouac area in anticipation of a further movement, so once again, equipment and housing tentage only was erected.  At 0800 29 April, unit started movement to Cham, Germany with the assignment of taking over the medical care of displaced personnel.  The hospital started functioning immediately to care for patients which were already at Cham when we arrived.  As of 1 May, 1945 the unit had nine hundred ninety four (994) patients, quartered in five (5) buildings in the town of Cham.  (Hotel Alte Poste, Hotel Gress, Kreis Krankenhous, Kindovsrhule and St. Elizabeth.)  Movement of unit to Cham was completed as of 1800 3 May 1945 and full work on wards begun.  More buildings were acquired for X-ray, dental, and surgery sections, personnel billets and detachment headquarters.  Civilian help was used extensively to do manual labor as well as professional work.  All civilian work was under supervision by the unit's officers and non-commissioned officers, however.  Nationalities of patients included French, Polish, Russian, Czechoslovakian, Italian, Hungarian, Yugoslavian, German, Dutch and Belgian.  Incoming patients were deloused by delousing teams set up by receiving office.  Records were kept on all patients and evacuation of patients both to and from the hospital was taken care of by six (6) attached French Red Cross ambulances and French personnel.
 

       As at Buchenwald the most prevalent sicknesses were dysentery, malnutrition with complications, typhus and pneumonia.  In addition to operating the five (5) buildings in Cham, the unit supervised several buildings in out-lying communities until such time as the disposal patients made it impossible to close those buildings one at a time and transfer any remaining patients to the hospital in Cham.  Treatment of patients continued satisfactorily and by 26 May 1945 the number of patients made it possible to close out one (1) building, (Kinderschule) thus reducing the hospital to four (4) buildings.  At 1200 2 June 1945, this unit was relieved by 7th Field Hospital.  At that time there were 436 patients in the hospital.

 

       II.   Plans and Training

              Considerable time in training was spent in experimenting with various combinations of tentage which appeared advisable in view of the fact that most evacuation hospitals in this theatre found it advisable to join part, if not all, of the tentage utilized.  This is particularly true of the Surgical Section and allied services, such as X-ray and Laboratory.  It was felt that time spent in the field as early in the training program as practicable is an invaluable asset to training.  There does not appear to be any substitute for simulated field problems for giving the enlisted men and officers experience in handling the equipment provided for an evacuation hospital.  This cannot be overemphasized, in the writer's opinion.

            It seems unfortunate that too frequently a large percentage of the officers and nurse personnel are given to an evacuation hospital just prior to overseas movement--some even after all the equipment has been packed.  These individuals are sent overseas without any knowledge of the unit's equipment and, too often, with no field experience.  Field problems are also, it's felt, stimulating to the interest of the enlisted and officer personnel as is early division of the unit into sections.  The latter appears to give the personnel a certain sense of security within the unit and is unquestionably an incentive to the competitive spirit so vital to any training program.

       Approximately forty percent of the enlisted personnel of this unit were sent away to various General Hospitals to Technician's Schools.  Competition for these assignments was keen and the results of such training were very satisfactory.  Those not included in the original forty percent were sent to work in the Station Hospital at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, and both enjoyed and profited by this experience.  Such training is unquestionably valuable if properly supervised and the men are actually allowed to do hospital work rather than just scrub floors or carry bedpans.  This type of detail was minimized by the Station Hospital at Camp Shelby and the staff was found to be most cooperative.

       It is felt that insufficient training is usually given in the use of plasma sets and the administration of intravenous fluids due to the fact that supply usually argues that plasma sets are non-expendable.  The usual training sets are too few in number to allow each individual to handle the actual preparation and administration of plasma.  There is apparently no satisfactory substitute for actual handling of these sets and no amount of demonstration will substitute for personal contact with the equipment.

       In the matter of blackout discipline, this unit always functioned well on training tests.  When faced with a situation when blackout was really necessary it was found that they were inclined to be a little careless.  German planes strafing nearby roads and incessant repetition of necessity for blackout were needed to improve the situation.

       Loading of vehicles with an eye to conserving all possible space was stressed in training and was found to be an invaluable asset in this theatre.  The only confusion which arose was in the matter of loading vehicles beyond rated capacity which is permissible in the theatre but not in the States.  The men were at first acutely conscious of the fact that they were overloading vehicles since so much stress had been placed on this in training.

       Apparently the best-trained unit is one which requires least supervision from commissioned officers in breaking and setting up Station.  To facilitate such moves, mimeographed plans of the next installation made immediately after reconnaissance, are necessary.  Wherever possible a standard form for establishment of Station eliminates confusion and a priority for the erection of tentage makes maximum use of all available personnel.  (Priorities are usually accorded to portions of the Station usually called the basic unit which usually includes most of the Operating Section and its allied services augmented by sufficient wards to take care of the Station's immediate needs together with the patient's mess which can be used to feed all personnel until the rest of the unit comes forward.)  In addition to mimeographed forms, it is felt that blackboard talks (skull drill) by section heads eliminates such confusion and engenders a more cooperative spirit on the part of the enlisted personnel.

 

CADRE TRAINING:

 

      3 April 1944 to 14 May 1944 inclusive:  six weeks.  Orientation of cadre and preparation in various subjects, teaching methods, etc. for the training of filler replacements.  Actual training hours were twenty-four hours per week.

 

BASIC TRAINING

 

       1.  Training Guide:  TM 8-101.  Training time:  14 weeks: 15 May 1944 to 19 August 1944 inclusive.

 

       2.  Directives from Army Detachment Headquarters Special Troops.  In accordance with directives the following subjects were stressed:

 

       a.  Physical conditioning.

       b.  Defense against chemical attack.

       c.  Mines and Mine fields: anti-personnel mines and Booby Traps.

       d.  Night operations:  4 hours per week.

 

SPECIAL SCHOOLS:  ATTENDANCE

 

1.    Unit:

 

       a.  Clerk's School:  9 weeks by Unit Headquarter's Personnel

       b.  Motor Driver's School:  9 weeks by all drivers.

       c.   Officers and NCO's school:  All personnel 3 hours per week.

 

2.    Schools attended:  not conducted by unit.

      

       a.  Baker's and Cook's School:  9 EM

       b.  Motor Mechanic School:  1st Echelon:  2 EM

       c.  Packing and Crating School:  2 EM

       d.  Mine Warfare School, Camp Forrest:  1 Officer  (10-21 July 1944)

       e.  Chemical Warfare School:  2 Officers and 2 EM

       f.  Medical Tech School:  1 EM

       g.  Dental Tech School:  1 EM

       h.  X-ray Tech School:  3 EM

 

3.    Special Training Requirements completed:

 

       a.  Infiltration course:  Overhead fire.  (Day)

       b.  Attendance at required WD training films

       c.  Lectures on Venereal Disease and Malaria control.

 

    Attendance at Special Schools began after the 6th week of basic training was completed.

 

BASIC TRAINING TEST:

 

     Remarks:  Training as a whole:  Excellent

 

UNIT TRAINING:

1.   Training Guide TM 8-10.  Training time:  9 weeks:  21 August-21 October 1944.

 

2.   Directives from Army Detachment Headquarters Special Troops.  In accordance with directives, the following subjects were stressed:

 

       a.  Mines and Booby Traps.

       b.  Combat intelligence and Counterintelligence.

       c.  Tactical employment of unit:  day and night.

       d.  Employment on duty assignment.

 

SPECIAL SCHOOLS:  ATTENDANCE.

 

1.    Unit:

      

       a.  Clerk's school:  Clerical personnel--all sections.      

       b.  Motor Driver's School:  All drivers.

       c.  Cook's School:  All unit mess personnel.

       d.  Intelligence School:  Unit intelligence personnel.

       e.  Officers and NCO School:  3 hours per week.

 

2.    Non-unit.

       a.   Motor Mechanic School:  2d Echelon:  1 Officer, 2 EM.

       b.   Medical and Surgical Technician training:  Station Hospital, Camp Shelby,                                                                  Mississippi:  37 EM, 1 Officer.

       c.   Medical Tech School:  5 EM.

       d.   Surgical Tech School:  4 EM.

       e.   Internal Medical School:  Mayo Foundation:  1 Officer.

       f.    Army School of Malariology, Panama:  1 Officer.

 

3.    Special Requirements Completed:

 

       a.  Infiltration Course:  overhead fire.  (Night).

       b.  Attendance at required WD training Films.

       c.  Completion of Training in Malaria Control.

       d.  Gas Chamber:  Chlorine gas.

 

4.     Tests completed in the following subjects:

 

        a.  Physical Fitness test.

        b.  Air-ground test.

        c.  Intelligence and Counterintelligence test.

        d.  Unit Training Test.

 

       Upon completion of Unit Training, a total  of 39 days had been spent in training in the field.

 

PARTICIPATIONS IN EXERCISES:

 

1.      Inter-participation:  During Basic and Unit Training:

        

         Retreat Parade, 18 May 1944, Camp Shelby, Mississippi, attached to 114th                    Evacuation  Hospital SM.

       

         Retreat Parade, 14 June 1944, Camp Shelby, Mississippi, in conjunction with all                            Second Army Special Troops on post.

    

          Retreat Parade, 16 November 1944, Camp Shelby, Mississippi, 120th and 139                                         Evacuation Hospitals forming the 1st Provisional Battalion. 

 

          Initial Training Period from 12 May 1944 to 19 August 1944, Unit Training Period                     from 21 August to 21 October 1944.  21 October 1944 to 2 December 1944,                     preparation for overseas movement.

 

2.       Intra-participation:

         

          12 EM were awarded Good Conduct Medal at retreat formation held in Company      

area in Camp Shelby, Mississippi on 16 November 1944.

 

          Formation called at EM mess hall in Tenby, Wales on 25 January 1945 and 31 EM          

awarded Good Conduct Medal.

 

           Formation called at EM mess hall in Tenby, Wales on 16 February 1945,. 7 EM

were awarded the Driver's Medal and 2  EM were awarded Mechanic's Medal.

 

           In ceremony including all officers, nurses, and EM, held in Film Theater, 28 May                                  1945, Cham, Germany, 32 EM were awarded the Good Conduct Medal.

 

         III.  MILITARY AND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL:

 

         A.  Military Personnel:

 

             During the entire period since activation of the organization, no personnel other  than  those assigned in accordance with T/O and E 8-581 have been employed.  The organization has been self-sufficient insofar as military personnel are concerned.  During the period of operation, and through continued observation, it has been found that additional personnel are needed to perform security and housekeeping details in order not to hamper the professional activities.  Additional duty soldiers should be provided for guard, kitchen police, latrine maintaining, and other incidental duties.  The X-ray section is inadequate for maintenance of twenty-four hour service, and should be increased by at least two additional technicians. 

 

          B.  Civilian Personnel:

 

               During two phases of operation, personnel other than military were employed.  These were found to be helpful and an asset in doing most of the menial tasks, thereby releasing trained personnel to the professional services.

 

                1.    Buchenwald:

 

                        Inmates of the camp who were not hospital patients, were employed in                            various capacities. They were used to clean the barracks in which a hospital

                 was set up to assist in delousing of patients before transfer to the hospital                                                                     barracks, to care for and clean patients under supervision, to keep the area                                                                                      around  the barracks in a sanitary condition, and to carry food to patients as                            well as other menial tasks.  In the camp area the inmates cleaned up the mess

                 and constructed sanitary works under military supervision.

 

                 2.  Cham:

                       Eighteen Physicians, Sixty Corps Men, and five nurses, all Hungarian                  

                 Prisoners of War, were employed, under supervision, to care for some of the                                                                                 displaced personnel patients.  Most of the menial duties were performed by                                                                 German civilians obtained from the local burgomeister through the Military                                                                 Government.  Also, eight small hospitals in surrounding communities were                                                                                                                  supervised by this organization and staffed by non-military personnel.

 

                         Five ambulances with a group of eight workers were attached to the                                organization from the French Red Cross.  The burden of transportation to and                                                   evacuation from the hospital fell upon this group.  The assistance provided was                                                   one that was in a large part, responsible for the smooth and successful                                                    operation of the Central Collecting Point of the hospital.    

        

          IV.  SUPPLY SECTION

 

SHELBY PHASE

 

          Phase I of the Supply Section began when three Enlisted Men under Lt. J. Milstein, D.C. were assigned to the Supply Section and entrusted with the responsibility of gathering together and maintaining the huge mass of equipment which one day would house the unit and provide for its several hundred patient capacity.

 

           Necessities at this time required drawing sufficient cleaning and preserving materials to provide the proper sanitary conditions, picking up the organizational equipment that was marked for the unit, maintaining the clothing and equipment of those men already with the unit and preparing to clothe and equip newly inducted trainees.  Camp Shelby Ordinance issued our first trucks for transportation of equipment and men.  Records were set up and methods of property accounting were determined and carefully worked out in accordance with Army procedure.  This phase ended with the arrival of approximately fifty percent of our full strength of 217 EM.

 

          Phase II was characterized by the obaining of training aids and material for the newly arrived men.  For this purpose we received a set of training equipment which was just a miniature version of the equipment we would eventually be entrusted with.  Shortly the day arrived when our Supply Officer came in with word that two full box cars had been spotted and, except for tentage, we were in possession of 30 or 40 tons of surgical instruments and medical supplies which the 120th Evacuation Hospital would later transport and store over thousands of miles of water and the countries of Europe.  This was a big day--receiving this equipment had been looked forward to--but receipt presented many problems.  Plans were made and carried out for safe storage.  A building 125 feet long and 25 feet wide was required.  A crane capable of lifting 25 tons was needed to lift the crated disinfector and shower from the box car.  Over 800 boxes in all had to be checked, transported to storage and signed for.  With this accomplished, a feeling surged through the unit, among officers and EM alike, that the 120th Evacuation Hospital was becoming of age.  Our full compliment of EM and about fifty percent of our Officers had arrived.  The Supply Section was now divided into two sections:  Medical and Unit.

 

          Phase III was characterized by the assignment of Lt. John Frye, MAC, as the new Supply Officer with Lt. Milstein assuming his duties as Dental Officer.  Training became more intensified--field problems, both day and night, were becoming more numerous--this required the working out of truck loading plans and supply function under tents in the field.  Our stepped-up priority now provided additional equipment and since training in its basic phase was nearing completion, men were now available to provide Supply with personnel with which to complete the Section's necessary function of the Hospital.  A utilities section was added which provided the unit with electricity throughout both for lighting purposes and operation of the surgical equipment carried.  Training now entered an advanced phase and the Supply Section was rounding out into a smooth functioning unit.  Each man was training in his specialized field.

 

          Phase IV began with the assignment of Lt. John N. Orr, MAC as Supply Officer with Lt. Frye assuming the duties of Executive Officer.  For the balance of our seventh and eighth months of training, supply function consisted primarily of maintaining equipment on hand and obtaining critical material which was essential to the operation.  At this time, orders received indicated that the 120th would be given the assignment which all training and hard work had been pointing toward.  We were alerted for overseas movement.  The task of preparing the unit for such a movement against a deadline date began.  The work involved was tremendous, all equipment was waterproofed, boxed and marked for overseas shipment.  Al1 sections of the hospital contributed to this undertaking wholeheartedly.  During this period, the entire supply section found themselves harboring equipment and zealously checking all shortages for it was realized that the equipment being packed was to be the essential weapon with which we would be expected to do our part overseas.  Much had to be done but with the help of all sections, the unit was ready for movement when called.

 

          Shortages of T/O and E equipment were forwarded which would be received at the port or at destination.  All our equipment was packed in two and a half box cars and the Supply Section, by now blossomed out to eleven men and Lt. Orr, boarded the train.

 

          Organizational impedimentia  was shipped by rail from Camp Shelby the first week in December and not returned to the control of the organization until after arrival in Wales.  It had been prepared in accordance with the provisions of WD directives.  Preparation for Overseas Movement dated 1 July 1944 and the movement order.  Packing was done in conformity with WD Bulletin 100-14A as far as materials permitted.

 

SUPPLY PROGRESS AND FUNCTION SINCE ARRIVAL AT RAMBERVILLERS, FRANCE, 16 MARCH 1945.

 

         Arrived Rambervillers, France on 16 March 1945.  Problem here similar to that faced in UK and was essentially one of obtaining sufficient supplies and equipment to meet T/O and E requirements as well as additional Authorized Army Allowances added in the UK for overseas operation.

 

         In the UK it appeared that sufficient time was available but supplies were not obtainable.  Similar situation at Rambervillers, supply lines were shorter but located in many directions, but time available prior to expected time of operation was lacking.  Some trips were long in some directions and the time involved in making those trips to servicing depots was great.  Lack of time required day and night operations in order to be ready for operations.  Conclusion of our stay at Rambervillers found us with enough but not all of the equipment required.  At this time, tentage was our major item of shortage--very essential.

 

          Dettwiller on 25 March 1945.  Medical Supply provided advance section.  Arrival of balance of hospital found supply functioning for purpose of hospital requirements not in operation and supply depots located.  Supply lines already functioning.  Here entire hospital constructed for first time.  Medical Suppply occupied two ward tents and final procedure for actual operation worked out in anticipation of receiving patients.  Depots were not adequately stocked to supply items of shortage that still existed.

 

           Moved from Dettwiller to Gollheim on 31 March 1945.  Supply functioned only to maintain needs of own unit.  Time not available to obtain shortage of authorized equipment, stay too short. 

 

            Left Gollheim and arrived in Frankfort on Main on 6 April 1945. Much time spent here filling shortages again.  Recognized major problem to be that of locating these needed supplies.  We were too far behind the rapidly moving front to obtain supplies available there and too far ahead of the rear bases to obtain supplies there.  When a depot was about to become stocked to fill our requirements we moved ahead not having the opportunity to take advantage of those stocks, by the time we reached the advance point the front had moved ahead so that we were not within reach of the advance depots.

 

             Left Frankfort 15 April 1945 and arrived in Ettersburg (Buchenwald) the same day.  Medical Supply problem here was staggering and beyond any anticipated needs.  Supply tent set up over two miles from point we were issuing them.

 

            First had to figure on using our supplies which were based on 400 to 500 bed capacity on a scale several times as large and use them where they would do the most good.  Found requirements to be so huge that special approval of Army had to be obtained in order to draw them.  Nearest depot over 100 miles distant.  Supplies needed were of a type that we carried only in small quantities as compared to the need.  We were now going to supply the needs for several thousand patients, not several hundred.

 

            Estimated needs were figured and entire supply section aided in packing and hauling these supplies.  German depots were located at once and their abondoned supplies were put to use.  Obtaining supplies hindered by blackout driving above the light line at night and possible enemy action along the supply lines as well as at our base near Buchenwald.  Our supply truck was straffed by enemy plane on one trip which proved the need for blackout and long hours of slow driving.  Here we found that almost any medication that could be found could be used since these patients presented every type of illness known.  Supplies for a 500-bed hospital were used for maintenance where needed the most until we could bring in the huge quantities needed and establish the supply lines.  We stayed here two weeks and by the time our supply problems were smoothing out the unit was reassigned.  Our problems were increased by the fact we were dealing with non-English speaking physicians and pharmacists who were in Buchenwald.  The startling and horrible sights at this camp were many but Medical Supply function does not involve intimate contact with patients, that can better be told by those who worked with those patients on a more intimate basis.

 

               Left Ettersburg and arrived at Kersbach on 28 April 1945.  Here the time was spent replenishing our supplies.

 

               Left  Kersbach and arrived at Cham on 1 May 1945.  Situation here resembled the one encountered at Buchenwald.  We found it necessary to hurriedly obtain cots, medication and miscellaneous supplies to take care of patients who were arriving rapidly.  Cham was not conveniently located from the standpoint of obtaining Medical Supplies.  Here a new problem confronted us in that we were required to obtain German Supplies when available on this type of of patient.  At first this caused a loss of time at depots obtaining supplies since new systems of issue had to be worked out.  With the end of hostilities, huge supplies of German equipment were found in St. Florian, Austria, and with one trip and several trucks, we were able to obtain sufficient material to provide ample stock for longer periods. Supplies not available here under German labels were picked up at Furth, a distance of 250 miles round trip from Cham, under American labels.  At present our supply  problem is not great and a steady and adequate flow of supplies can be maintained provided no unanticipated difficulties arise.  Our overall problems consist of the necessity of transporting supplies over long distances when supplies were need at once.  Throughout the problems were not of the type anyone could anticipate, therefore it was necessary to prepare for each future assignment by closely guarding our existing supplies, use them sparingly, because they were the lifesaving medications patients needed.

 

BRIEF OUTLINE OF PROPERTY EXCHANGE

 

            Property Exchange started to function upon the arrival of this unit at Cham, Germany. With the steady flow of patients being brought in by not only our American ambulances, but by the French Red Cross as well, it was necessary to have several types of litters, blankets, ect. on hand. Three thousand German blankets were obtained to meet the emergency, and were eventually substituted throughout the hospital in place of our Government Issue.

 

            The clothing problem seemed to be the biggest, for seventy-five percent of the patient's clothing was in such condition as to necessitate an issue of new clothes upon evacuation. After scouring the countryside, enough clothing was found, all of it German, to clothe the patients as they were evacuated, and to provide enough pajamas for their stay in our hospital, Any clothing that was considered serviceable was washed, disinfected and returned to the patient. At no time was the supply of clothing overabundant, but it was always sufficient.

           

            Laundry was another problem, as it was always located at least a half-day's distance from Cham. Enough linen was on hand, however, to keep an adequate supply of clean linen to the various wards while the balance was being washed. Blankets also proved a great problem, for since the majority of patients were suffering from malnutrition, and diarrhea, the turnover was terrific.The blankets were handled in the same manner as the linen, with the exception that they were disinfected upon return from the laundry.

 

            Below is the rough estimate of clothing issued for patients between 2 May and 2 June 1945.

 

                        Pajama tops                140

                        Pajama bottoms          140

                        Nightgowns                 155

                        Trousers                      285

                        Coats                           135

                        Shirts                           250

                        Shoes                           260

                        Socks                           250

                        Undershirts                 100

                        Drawors                      80

                        Mattress covers            200

 

            V.   TRANSPORTATION AND MAINTENANCE SECTION:

 

Organization

 

            Transportation and Maintenance Section consists of one (1) officer, one (1) S/Sgt., one (1) Tech 4 chief mechanic, one (1) Tech 5 chief mechanic, and eighteen (18) drivers.

 

Training

 

            While in Camp Shelby, Mississippi and during the second week of basic training, a driver school of ten (10) day duration was given to a group of six (6) men who had previous driver training. These men were given instruction in the methods of teaching and proved considerable help as assistant instructors when an eight (8) week driver training program was instituted.

 

            A driver training program was started in accordance with instructions in MTP  8-101. During training, frequent tests were given to assure the men were getting the full benefit of training.  I

 

            In addition to the training of new men, the Motor Officer and Motor Sergeant attended 1st Echelon Maintenance School supervised by 24th Headquarters. Special Troops, Second Army at Camp Shelby. The school was of fourteen (14)- days duration. Later one (1) officer and three (3) enlisted men attended the 25th Headquarters, Special Troops Second Echolon Maintenance school at Camp Shelby. This school was of six (6) weeks duration.

 

            Weekly inspections of unit vehicles were made by 24th Headquarters, Special Troops, Second Army and other periodic inspections were made by Second Army Ordnance inspection teams.

 

Operation

 

            Upon receipt of orders pertaining to preparation for overseas movement, all general purpose vehicles were turned in at Camp Shelby. Special vehicles (2 1/2 ton 750 gallon water truck, portable disinfector) were processed in accordance with instructions contained in WD directive, Preparation for Overseas Movement dated  July 1944 and movement orders.

            General purpose vehicles necessary to fill T/O and E allowance were drawn upon.  These vehicles were given a complete second echelon check upon receipt to ensure  no mechanical defects were present. Upon receipt of movement orders, trucks were prepared for short sea voyage in accordance with instructions in ZTOUSA directive POM  -  SSV. When vehicles were drawn a vehicle prohibitive  maintenance roster was started to record weekly, monthly, and semi-annual checks. Shortly after receipt of vehicles all existing stocks of trip tickets and monthly check sheets were used up and mimeographed forms were substituted since APO  forms were unavailable.

 

            In the three (3) months from 3 March 1945 to 3 June 1945, this unit's vehicles travelled an average of 6500 miles without any serious mechanical trouble. This was due to strict first echelon maintenance by drivers and second echelon maintenance by the mechanics. During this period of time, two main difficulties arose. The first was tire trouble. Roads in France especially, were in terrible condition both as regards surface appearance and foreign material scattered over them. Flats caused by shells, "C" ration cans, glass, shrapnel and nails occurred faster than they could be repaired. Patching material was unavailable at supporting ordinance units. As  a result of these road conditions, vehicles were forced to stop very frequently to check tires for foreign matter and change tires. When attempting to shuttle the hospital over long distances these excessive halts and extra time needed to change tires or repair flats caused interference with scheduled plans of movement.

           

            It was found to be, in most instances, a physical impossibility to move the hospital  with it's organic equipment in two (2) shuttles using organic transportation. The reason for this difficulty was manifold, but due in part to the acquisition of additional necessary equipment over and above T/O and E, such as water tanks, scrub basins, cabinets for sterile supplies, and additional items alloted by Army to supplement T/O and E. (I.E., Extra tentage, instruments, anesthetic machines etc.) There was also found to be a marked tendency among officers, nurses, and enlisted men to acquire objects which augmented their personal comfort. These items while insignificant when taken singly can create havoc with previously prepared loading plans. It is therefore necessary to constantly check such acquisitions and streamline all personnel periodically.  The acquisition of luxuries, extends rapidly from individuals to whole sections and may make a difference of as high as eight (8) to ten (10) truckloads in an individual movement. On one occasion two (2) truckloads of flooring for the operating room were aquired from another nearby Evacuation Hospital. At the next streamlining this was dropped in addition to other luxuries and the number of trucks required to move the unit was reduced from sixty-seven (67) to fifty-seven (57).

           

            Other factors influencing shuttling were found to be road hazards delaying the return of vehicles, unfamiliarity with the road nets leading to the considerable delay of a number of vehicles, and the fact that at times, trucks were commandeered by other units on their return trips to help in hauling supplies or prisoners of war.

 

            During our stay on the Continent, there was only one (1) occasion in which this hospital was able to either secure Quartermaster transportation or borrow trucks from other units. Our own transportation was on several occasions made available to other units whose movement priority was evidently greater. On each of these occasions, our unit was ordered to move with only a fraction of its organic transportation available and in each instance it was necessary to make a substitute loading plan using available vehicles.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

            The following recommendations are submitted:

            1. That unit be alloted at least two hundred (200) Five-gallon gas cans, to form a reserve gas supply.

 

                        a. On several occasions when movement was made, there were no Class III supply dumps close to new area and unit had to send along one truck carrying gas to form a gas supply at each end of movement.

                       

                        b. At other times tactical units had priority on all gas and unit trucks were deadlined through lack of gas. One such incident occurred at the same time the unit received movement orders.

 

                        c. When in operation, ambulances bringing in patients often need gas and with T/O and E allotment of gas cans, it is impossible to keep enough gas to service attached vehicles as well as unit vehicles.

 

            2. If the unit is required to move often and far, drivers cannot stand strain of continual driving. By the same token, if hospital is operating too, assistant drivers, who must be drawn from men in various sections, cannot be alert to degree desired for the safety of personnel being transported in unit vehicles. It is therefore practically a necessity to have an additional twenty-six (26) enlisted men to act as assistant drivers.

 

            VI.   CONSERVATION OF MATERIAL AND MANPOWER

 

            During basic and unit training all responsibility possible was delegated to section leaders and platoon sergeants. Each EM was given the opportunity to prove his leadership and capabilities. When we were called on to operate the hospital at the Buchenewald Concentration Camp and again at Cham this type of training proved most beneficial. The men where assigned as supervisors and were able, with the aid of interpreters from our unit, to utilize and organize the reservoir of manpower found in the camp.

            During training we utilized all material possible and improvised wherever possible, this training was also reflected when the hospital was in operation. Much necessary equipment was obtained from wreeked aircraft, cars and other sources. A portable shower unit was improvised and worked from the disinfector unit where all could have hot showers. This proved invaluable when we were treating many cases of typhus and were exposed to typhus carrying lice. Whereover possible buildings were utilized for both hospital wards and living quarters for members of the organization. This utilization of manpower and material paid big dividends when we set up in operation for we were able to care for many more patients than originally planned.

 

            VII.  HOUSING AND BATHING FACILITIES.

 

            While the unit was in training at Camp Shelby it was housed in small capacity barracks built by Quartermaster. Both housing and bathing facilities were adequate.

            While in the United Kingdom the unit was housed in buildings with adequate space, heat, etc.  Bathing facilities were not adequate in the buildings but close by the Red Cross Club furnished showers and wash rooms.

 

            Twenty Grand: The unit was housed in squad and pyramidal tents. Space was adequate but heating was very inadequate. Bathing facilities were very poor and inaccessible.

           

            Rambervillers: The unit was housed adequately in former military school. Bathing facilities were good. Heating was fair.

           

            Dettwiller: The unit was housed in tents.  Bathing facilities were furnished by portable shower and was adequate.  The same was true at Gollheim and Frankfort.

                       

            Ettersburg:  The unit was housed in a former school.  Bathing was adequate.  The patients were housed in buildings, former barracks, and SS hospital.  For several days the housing was dirty and heating was nil, but this was quickly corrected.  Water and sewage plants were soon restored. 

           

            Kersbach:  Unit adequately housed in tents.  Stove supplies enough heat. Bathing facilities were not set up as stop was expected to be very brief.

           

            Cham: Housing good. Bathing facilities good.

 

            Bathing facilities have most always been good because of portable shower carried by hospital to be used when other facilities were inadequate or unobtainable.

 

            SEWAGE AND WASTE DISPOSAL

 

            This was disposed of according to US Army Requirement either by plant, designed for such purpose or by standard trenches and latrines, soakage pits, incinerators.

           

            VIII.  INSECT CONTROL.

 

            Thorough training of enlisted and Officer personnel by lecture, demonstration and application was accomplished. This included Malaria Control. Insects encountered and methods used officaciously follow:

            The Housefly: Without proper control the housefly would have been a great hazard during the training period at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. Effective control with minimum effort was accomplished by the following steps in order of their importance:

                        1. The elimination of breeding places by efficient police of entire unit area in cooperation with Post administration and neighboring units.

                        2. Prompt disposal of waste foods. Garbage placed in garbage cans which we kept tightly covered and emptied daily. After garbage cans were emptied at central disposal plant they were thoroughly washed and sterilized before returning.

                        3. Efficient screening of the two mess halls used by the unit.

                        4. Killing of adult flies by means of strip fly papers in mess halls, by spraying with pyreltreun in oil and other issue sprays.

                        5. Screening of latrines and quarters for personnel. In bivouac areas where temporary facilities were installed, control was effected by using the same principles. The location and maintenance of latrines were found to be important factors. Proper garbage disposal and screening of food stores was effective. In temporary bivouac the mandatory strict police of the area called for few additional measures. The fact that there were practically no cases of diarrhea from contaminated food is significant in that it indicates foods were promptly and efficiently stored and protected.

            No fly problem existed since movement from Camp Shelby.

            Mosquito Control: In conjunction with Malaria Control the unit personnel by application of all training methods were thoroughly familiar with control methods.

            Permanent mosquito control measures instituted and controlled on the Military Reservation at Camp Shelby, eliminated the mosquito as a disease bearing insect and only rarely were there a few culicine pests. Screening of the quarters protected personnel from these few sporadic insects.

            The Temporary Bivouac areas during training personnel were issued army approved liquid repellants which proved satisfactory. In swampy areas future mosquito control necessities were anticipated by demonstration and application of lavicides, repellants, aerosol bombs and mosquito netting.

            Body lice: A thorough training of personnel in all forms of insect control proved of especial value since the body louse and much epidemic typhus was encountered in Germany.

            Buchenwald Concentration Camp, Germany: When the 120th Evacuation Hospital was given the responsibility of caring for the thousands of ill and starving political prisoners at Buchenwald, all of the crowded prison barracks and personnel were louse infested. Many cases of louse-borne typhus had appeared and the rate of spread was increasing. To combat both filth and louse infestation a series of former S.S. barracks were taken over. Displaced personnel had been sleeping in those barracks and the furniture, rugs, and bedding were undoubtedly infested. All furnishings were immediatly discarded and drapes removed. The walls and floors which were of tile construction were thoroughly scrubbed with soap and water. New army canvas cots were installed with new German Army Store blankets where possible and of United States issue when necessary. The water supply system had been put out of order by military action. For three days personnel admitted to these buildings, about 200 to a building, could not be bathed. The following procedure proved adequate to suppress and for the most part eradicate lice on infested individuals.

            An Army Depot tank type hand powder sprayer and adequate supplies of D.D.T. powder (mixed with vehicle) were procured. Selected German personnel, if available, were instructed as to the use of the spray on incoming patients. The infested patients were brought to the door of the building and unloaded on the litter from the ambulance. He was thoroughly sprayed with D.D.T. powder over the body, the axilla and pubic area, being given special attention. His hair was then thoroughly sprayed with powder. He was then taken into the hallway, clothes removed and packed in a roll either to be burned or sent to the steam delousing machine. The patient was then carried to one of the new cots with fresh blankets. The following day the D.D.T. powder would again be sprayed over the patient and into his blankets. This procedure alone without bathing proved unexpectedly effective and after the second application of D.D.T. infestation rarely was noted. Water and bathing facilities became available on the third day. The only change in routine was that after receiving the first application of D.D.T. powder the patient was given a thorough soap and water bath. This proved adequate to eliminate all body lice.

            Enlisted men and Officers of the unit exposed were adequately protected as follows: Insecticide powder for Body Crawling insects, in two ounce cans were amply supplied; this was sprinkled in the axilla, over the chest, abdomen, pubic region, and thoroughly rubbed into the hair of the exposed personnel; it was likewise freely sprinkled into the sleeping bags; a daily bath after exposure to infestation was routine whenever possible. No cases of infestation occurred among the personnel during the stay at Buchenwald.

            At Cham, Germany, all displaced personnel were infested, those that were in fair health as well as those to be hospitalized. Typhus was appearing, there being about 20 cases in Cham alone, the second day of operation. Seven hospital units in villages adjacent to Cham but under our control varied from 38 bed capacity to 240 beds. Total capacity of these units outside Cham supervised by this organization was 950. In Cham there were located four units totalling 1153 beds of maximum capacity. To improve crowded conditions and sanitation, this was reduced to 940 beds as soon as possible, which was two weeks. All the hospital units were served by a central receiving office. Delousing was effected and maintained as follows: A team of three to four civilians or enlisted personnel, as the situation necessitated, were stationed each with powder-spraying units at the area near the entrance to the receiving room. The clothed patients were unloaded from the ambulance and deloused by loosening clothing and spraying with D.D.T. They were then carried to the receiving room where they were assigned with appropriate wards. Just before entering the ward, the clothes were entirely removed, packed, labelled and immediatly sent to the steam delouser. Available bed clothes were placed on the patient and he was put into a bed in a plain Army cot with two Army blankets. Baths were given when possible before the patient was put to bed, but usually facilities were such as to delay bathing 24 to 48 hours.  Bed patients and bedding were resprayed with D.D.T. in 24 to 48 hours.  The patient was given tub bath with soap and water as soon as possible.  When a patient was  ready for evacuation his deloused clothes or new clothes, entirely, were given him. His blankets were folded and immediately sent to the laundry and deloused. The Army cot occupied by him was thoroughly sprayed with D.D.T. powder. A new admission to his bed would receive new blankets. After three or four days of such procedure infestation among patients was negligible. Unit personnel used precautions as at Buchenwald and no infestation occurred.

 

            IX. VENEREAL DISEASE CONTROL.

 

            From the day of activation to the present date the venereal disease rate of this unit has been 0.00% per 1000 men. This record was spoiled by two (2) cases of Gonorrhea throughout the whole period from 25 March 1944 to 2 June 1945. This occurred in August, 1944, while we were undergoing basic training at Camp Shelby, Miss. One was a sulfa resultant case, which had to be hospitalized; the other cleared. Otherwise our record has been perfect.

           

            Two reasons are outstanding for our excellent record:

           

            a. Our enlisted men are all above average level of intelligence.

            b. No matter how short or long a stop was made, the following were complied with :

           

            A prophylaxis station was maintained 24 hours a day at the unit dispensary. Signs were posted throughout the area as to the location of the dispensary and Prophylactic station. All men going to pass or furlough were required to report to the dispensary surgeon before leaving thereon for advice and instruction regarding venereal disease. Contraceptives and Prophylaxis kits were available at all times at the Detachment Orderly Room.

            Sex Hygiene lectures were conducted every month by a medical officer and the Chaplain. Posters demonstrating the danger and menace of venereal disease are prominently displayed throughout the various officers and buildings used by the enlisted men.

            A monthly physical inspection is conducted of all men.

 

            X. WARD SECTION.

           

            On August 12, 1944, during the final phase of basic training, the Ward Section was organized.  This department was composed of six medical officers, (T/O and E calls for nine), twenty nurses and seventy-five enlisted men.  There were twenty wards or tents of twenty beds each that could function as medical or surgical wards, as the need demanded.  The basic equipment was alloted to each ward and carried in boxes which served as desks and storage space while functioning.

 

            All training was based upon ward procedure and management, and the care of the patient with the Staff Sergeant and the Chief of the Ward Section the responsible parties.  When not operating in its primary function the men of the Ward Section are subject to special detail.  Forty-seven unlisted men of this section received special medical and surgical technician training in Hospitals in the States.  While stationed in England, the Officers, Nurses, and enlisted men were on detached service with Station and General Hospitals for four weeks.  This service consisted of practical training in Ward Routine and management. Until the Hospital was set up and functioning the program consisted of class work, problems, and checking equipment.

 

            On 16 April 1945, the Hospital was set up in German Army Barracks at Buchenwald Concentration Camp.  As ninety-eight percent of the patients treated were medical, sixteen of the twenty medical officers were utilized on the Medical Service.  The nurses were on detached service.  All enlisted men needed were utilized on the service also.  Two thousand patients were admitted to the Hospital in a five-day period.  When cots and litters were used up, patients were placed on the floor on blankets.  Hospital equipment was used when necessary.  Clean blankets and clothing were taken from a warehouse in the camp.  Medical supplies were requisitioned from captured Germany army medical supply depots, and the Army Quartermaster.

 

            Majority of cases were malnutrition, dehydration and diarrhea; some 450 cases of the latter responded well to sulfaguandine.  There were also sixty cases of typhus and 320 case of Tuberculosis.  Typhus cases were diagnosed by physical findings and by using Brumpt test.  Blood transfusions, intravenous fluids and plasma as well as general symptomatic treatment was used.  Diets were given as tolerated in form of liquids or soft food. 

 

            Due to the filth and deplorable sanitary condition at the Camp, each patient was stripped of all clothing and dusted well with D.D.T. powder on admission to the Hospital.  All the old clothing was then burned.  The patients were bathed and given clean clothing on the wards and dusted with D.D.T. powder again on the third day as well as once a week thereafter.

 

            Physicians and corpsmen selected from the displaced personnel were used as much as possible on the wards and personnel of the 120th Evacuation Hospital acted in an advisory capacity.  It was found that strict supervision of those displaced personnel was necessary to get the necessary work accomplished and in keeping the wards clean.  With the administration of food and medical care, the mortality rate at the camp was greatly decreased.  On the thirteenth day, we were relieved of our assignment and replaced by another hospital.

 

            Our next assignment was at Cham.  Cham is a town of 4,500 people normally, but now has a population of 10,000 due to displaced personnel.  Our Hospital was set up in six separate buildings to care for sick displaced personnel in the immediate vicinity.  The same problem was found here as at Buchenwald:  to care fo a large number of sick in a very short period of time.  Physicians, corpsmen and nurses from the displaced persons were used in three of the buildings and worked under our supervision.  The remaining buildings were operated by our own personnel.  The greatest patient load was 1200 patients, of which 245 were typhus, 60 tuberculosis and the remaining malnutrition, pnemonia or diarrrhea.  Many blood transfusions, intravenous glucose and plasma were given as well as general symptomatic and unsupportive care.  The laboratory and X-ray were available when needed in diagnosis of disease.  Brumpt test used for typhus.

 

            All of the ward equipment was used when necessary and our supplies were supplemented by materials from captured German supply depots.  The patients were deloused on admission as well as again on the wards at least once a week.  Each patient was bathed and issued clean clothing.  Old clothing was deloused and cleaned.  The patients were then evacuated as rapidly as their physical condition permitted in order to relieve the crowded conditions.  Diets were given the patients as tolerated.  Sulfa drugs were used as necessary and penicillin was used as a life-saving measure only.

 

            The total number of sick displaced personnel within the radius of thirty-five kilometers of Cham were found to be so great that a program of establishing hospitals and dispensaries in various surrounding communities was considered essential.  To this end the 120th Evacuation Hospital acted in supervisory, advisory, and supplying cacacities to several hospitals managed and staffed by physicians, among the displaced personnel.  The capacity varied from thirty-eight to two-hundred-forty bed Hospitals.   In addition, dispensaries in five other communities were established and when those patients were encountered needing hospitalization, they were evacuated to one of the seven newly established hospitals.

 

            The supervision over these installations required three to four visits each week.  As the immediate health problems improved, and the number of patients diminished, the hospitals were closed, the remaining patients being evacuated to the 120th Evacuation Hospital in Cham.  The medical personnel shifted to those remaining hospitals in operation, and as of this date there are now five functioning with a total of six-hundred thirty-seven patients. 

 

            A very satisfactory working program for our enlisted men consisted of the Staff Sergeant acting as a general supervisor with one Sergeant in charge of personnel and the other Sergeant in charge of ward administration.  It is their duty to see that the men are assigned, and rotated in their duties and that the ward is operated smoothly.  Patient care is paramount.  Enlisted men work on a twelve-hour shift with one-half day off each week.  We have found it most difficult to operate a Ward Section efficiently when the men must also stand guard as well as do special details.

 

            XI.  SURGICAL SECTION.

 

            The hospital first functioned as a unit at Buchenwald Concentration Camp beginning April 15, 1945.  The camp was surveyed by members of the operating section and it was found that the professional men who were at that time handling surgical cases were well-trained and functioning surprisingly well in view of the equipment available.  Since the unit had been instructed to make the staff at Buchenwald self-sufficient in as far as possible it was deemed advisable to interfere as little as possible with an already smoothly running surgical unit.  A large portion of the surgical staff of this hospital were assigned to medical wards in the SS buildings and only the Chief of Section and three assistants were retained by the operating section.  Those men contacted the surgeons working at Buchenwald and made daily rounds with them witnessing most of the surgery done.  They acted largely in an advisory capacity and secured for the resident staff all necessary items of equipment found to be needed and lacking.  It was possible, in most cases, to supply those needs from captured German medical supplies.  This was most satisfactory to the staff who were most familiar with German instruments and medicinal agents.  It was impossible to secure penicillin for use here except for a small amount donated by the British Red Cross.  The amount given was sufficient for only two patients and the enthusiasm of the doctors on the Buchenwald staff was almost indescribable as they were allowed to choose two cases at ward rounds to treat with penicillin, concerning which they knew little or nothing, but of which they expected miracles. Unfortunately, the unit left Buchenwald before having an opportunity to observe the results in these two cases.

 

            It was almost worth the trip overseas to witness the childish enthusiasm manifested by those doctors (some of whom had been in Concentration Camp for two and more years) when they were summoned to a staff meeting and a demonstration in the use of blood donor sets, plasma sets, and the preparation of penicillin was given by members of the Surgical Section.

 

            The surgery at Buchenwald included the type of surgery done by an American General or Regional Hospital and was very adequately handled.  It was understood that the Chief of the Buchenwald Surgical service was so admired and respected by the SS that he was often summoned to the SS hospital and frequently to outside German hospitals to operate.  There were at the time, two members of the SS in the prison hospital where they had been sent by their officers who conceded that they would get more adequate treatment there than from the staff at the SS hospital.

 

            After leaving Buchenwald the 120th was next employed in treating displaced persons at Cham, Germany.  Most of those individuals were medical rather than surgical problems but there were sufficient surgical cases to warrant the establishment of an operating room.  For this purpose, a former haberdashery across the street from the main hospital building was chosen.  This store formed an ideal operating room since it had wide walls extending upwards some 5-l/2 feet from the floor and had adequate space and a very satisfactory scrub room.  The sterilization section had previously been established across the street for the purposes of sterilizing ward supplies of which a large volume was required.  It was not deemed advisable to use this section so the remainder of  the store building consisting of two apartments (5 room) was converted into a post-operative ward.

 

            The operative surgical cases admitted here never averaged over three or four daily but ranged from herniarrhaphies to open reductions.  The section served more as a section from a General Hospital rather than an Evacuation Hospital as there were no other hospitals to which surgical patients could be evacuated.

 

            A fairly large percentage of all surgery done here was septic surgery on neglected wounds and on cases of suppurative parotitis and abscesses so common in these debilitated invididuals.  Results were, for the most part, very satisfactory and sulfadiazine did wonders in most cases.  It was not until near the end of our stay at Cham that any penicillin was released for us on displaced persons.  It unquestionably saved the lives of at least two cases of suppurative parotitis who did not respond to sulfadiazine.

 

            In the beginning blood was furnished the hospital by blood banks but this suppy was finally cut off.  In surgical cases requiring blood transfusions after this time, it was usually necessary to call for volunteer donors from our own personnel.  The response was usually adequate but it would probably have been more appropriate to bleed the German civilians or soldiers in the town.  This was not done as it would have required going through channels to secure permission to use these people.

 

            Most of the surgical patients encountered at Cham were rather poor operative risks and required considerable preparation and careful post-operative surveillance.  A large percentage of these individuals had active pulmonary tuberculosis.

 

            XII.  NURSING SECTION

 

            Captain ARTIE M. USSERY ANC, as Chief Nurse joined the unit 23 October 1944.  Remainder of nurses joined within the next fifteen (15) days.  On 15 November 1944, assignment of nurses was posted per Special Order 46, Headquaters 120th Evacuation Hospital (SM), Camp Shelby, Miss.  All nurses had had six (6) weeks basic training and General duty in hospitals.  A training program in basic miliatary subjects was carried out and completed. 

 

            Nurses travelled with unit to Tenby, South Wales and while in the United Kingdom, the nurses were sent on TDY to various hospitals in the United Kingdom.  While on TDY they did work of the nature they would perform in their own unit.  Methods of treatment of battle casualties were given special emphasis.  They were returned to the unit in time to travel with train party to continent.

 

            Arriving at Le Havre, the nurses were taken by truck to the Chateau at Mernieres.  There they underwent training consisting of special classes, physical training and show down inspections.  They rejoined the unit at Rambervillers. Then at Dettwiller, twelve (12) nurses were sent on TDY, six (6) to the 54th Field Hospital at Pirmasone and six (6) to 66th Field Hospital at Netstadt.  While there they were engaged in general duty work.  Upon moving to Gellheim six (6) nurses returned to the unit, the other six (6) rejoining at Frankfort.

 

            When the unit took over Buchenwald Concentration Camp, the nurses were detached and sent to the 121st Evacuation Hospital.  They remained there, doing general duty and rejoined the unit at Kersbach and have been with it since.  At Cham the nursing service was divided in the following manner, Administration, two (2); Surgery, seven (7); Anesthesia, one (1); Receiving and Evacuation, four (4); Central Supply (3).  The remaining twenty-three (23) nurses were divided among the wards according to the number of patients.

 

            XIII.  DENTAL SECTION.

 

            At Camp Shelby, the Dental Section had at one time four Dental Officers assigned.  A Dental Survey had been held and the Dental deficiencies of the personnel were remedied at the Camp Station Hospital's Dental Clinics by the officers of this command.  This caused a hardship on the training program as the officer personnel was understrength during this period and the Dental Officers were not available as instructors.  Prior to departure from Camp Shelby to the POE all personnel had completed their dental treatment and were Class IV patients.  Two Dental Officers were transferred from the unit to reduce the Dental Section to T/O strength.  The technicians of the section were well-trained having attended schools for Dental technicians and having received further instructions working at the chair with Dental Officers.

 

            A one-chair Dental Dispensary was set up in Tenby, South Wales to take care of any emergencies that might arise.  From the time of departure from Wales until arrival in Cham, Germany, the Dental Section was inactive.  In Cham, the complete Dental Clinic was set up for use of the Allied personnel in the area as well as for emergency work for the Displaced Persons.

 

            In addition to the T/O and E equipment, the Dental Section was issued two captured German Dental chests.  Because of the inadequacy of the MD Chest #60, these chests, especially Chest #1, were used frequently.  If more mouth mirrors, explorers and cotton pliers were added to the contents as well as an Ivory matrix retainer #9, an amalgam carrier, and cotton rolls, the section could operate more efficiently.  Other items that would aid the operating efficiency of the section are one field operating lamp and a suction apparatus per Chest #60.  The section was not issued MD Chests #61 and #62 and therefore no Dental Prosthesis was accomplished.  If those labaratory chests are included as part of the organizational equipment one additional technician should be added to the T/O.  With the personnel now assigned efficient operation would be difficult to obtain.

 

            XIV.  LABORATORY-PHARMACY SECTION

 

                                                            ORGANIZATION

 

            1.  Equipment:  The section received its equipment in accordance with the T/O and E. 8-581.  For training purposes there were two laboratory field chests which were later replaced by new equipment and material.

 

            2.  Personnel:  The cadre which reported on 25 March, 1944, consisted of a T/Sgt in charge, a T/3 laboratory technician and a T/3 Pharmacist.  At the conclusion of basc  training a clerk, an assistant pharmacist, and three (3) laboratory technicians were added from the group of basics.  The entire section by experience and training were well-qualified for the tasks they were to perform.

 

            In addition to being in charge of the lab-pharmacy section the T/Sgt. had in his care the X-ray section.  His laboratory training was received at the Fort Eustis Station Hospital to which was added a course in servicing and operating X-ray equipment at the St. Louis Medical Depot.  The chief pharmacist besides being registered, has had many years of civilian experience together with more than two years of army training.  His assistant is a pharmacy student who requires only half a year towards the completion of his course, but with a good deal of civilian experience and military training.  The laboratory technician assigned to bacterial and parasitical work received his training at the Walter Reed Laboratory School followed by a year and a half of practical experience in the work at the Station hospital, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.  The technician assigned to hematology likewise received his training at the Walter Reed school followed by six (6) months at the Walter Reed Laboratory prior to transfer to ASTP.  He is a graduate of Yale University with Biological Science as his major.  The technician assigned to urinalysis received his training at the Station Hospital, Syracuse Army Air Base where he spent a year prior to transfer to ASTP.  The remaining member of the section was picked on the basis of having the highest I.Q. in the unit and his interest in the work.  He is a member of the regular army who gave up a rating to continue school under the ASTP.  The clerk-typist, serving both the laboratory and the pharmacy has had several years of experience in the work both in the army and as a civilian.

 

            The cadre, in addition to training the group itself, took part in the general training of the entire unit.  The dispensary during the entire training period was also operated by the section.  Of the eight men, all have been in the army well over two years.  Five of them participated in the ASTP before joining the unit.

 

            ACTIVITIES

 

            At Camp Shelby, the dispensary included a complete pharmacy and a modest laboratory, both operating for training as well as service.  Later at Tenby, Wales, during the two-month period of waiting for an assignment, the laboratory was agian set up mainly for training but also in conjunction with the dispensary.  After the completion of unit training the entire laboratory crew spent a month at the Station Hospital for some brush-up training.  At this time an SOP for the section was drawn up and some equipment improvised.  It was found that the X-ray section which consisted of only four (4) men would require assistance both for loading and the setting up of their tentage.  For this purpose, it was decided that the two sections would operate as a team and this policy was adhered to during all the movements.  After setting up for the first time, it was found that some of the theoretical SOP had to be discarded in favor of more practical measures.

 

            At Rambervillers, France, the first stop after leaving the marshalling area, the waterproofed equipment was opened for the first time for examination and re-packing.  Very little breakage or spoilings was discovered.  The equipment and materials were rearranged for quicker operation and boxes re-built to serve as closets and desks.  Pharmacy, in particular, required extensive re-arrangements.  During the subsequent moves changes were constantly made and various odds and ends added to make for beter functioning.

 

            OPERATIONS

 

            At Buchenwald Concentration Camp a survey was made for the setting up of the section.  It was decided that only pharmacy would operate and both pharmacists took charge of dispensing and compounding drugs at the new hospital.  The remainder of the section assisted in such tasks as supplying bottled blood, supervising sanitary measures, and performing many of the transfusions.  However, it wasn't until arrival at Cham that the section went into full operation.  The pharmacy, in addition to filling the needs of the wards in the hospital also serviced six outlying hospitals of various sizes, many of them requiring a great deal of compounding.

 

            Most routine laboratory procedures were performed at the laboratory while the more complicated chemical and serological tests were sent to the 7th Medical Laboratory.

 

 

          STATISTICS

 

            Pharmacy:

           

            During the brief period of operations at Cham more than 350 Narcotic prescriptions were filled and and accurate recording and tally kept.  Each morning, in addition to supplying each ward with their daily needs averaging six items, the outside hospitals were also supplied with an average of twenty items.  Together with this, there was the constant flow of special prescriptions.  At one of the earlier stops, the pharmacy had made up basic ward kits providing each ward with the essential drugs and medicines.

 

            Laboratory:

 

            The laboratory performed an average of sixteen sputum examinations for tuberculosis each day, six blood counts, fifteen urinalyses, several bacterial slides and feces examinations for parasites, occasional dark fields and hematocrits, cross-matchings and various other blood tests.  When the 7th Medical Laboratory discontinued their work on Displaced Personnel, they furnished us with the materials for a quick, German-devised, test for Typhus and several of these were performed each day after first checking its efficiency.  Some copies of the test are included in this report.

 

IMPROVISATIONS

 

            During the period following activation, it was found that many improvisations as to equipment were necessary to properly function.  A few of these are listed:            

 

            1.  Tables:  A wrecked bomber furnished several tables that were light and easy to clean.  The wing flaps were utilized.  In particular, it makes a good morgue table, even to drainage.

 

            2.  Boxes:  The larger boxes had tiny ledges nailed at opposite sides inside the boy.   The placing of a board across these ledges make good shelves and cupboards for both Laboratory and Pharmacy work.

 

            3.  Jerricans:  Faucets were screwed into the sides just above the base.  This makes a larger source of running water than any equipment that is furnished.

 

            4.  Desks:  A large box is cut diagonally on one of the wide sides and a hinged cover put on.  Pigeonholes can be made on the inside.  It serves both as a desk and a serviceable box to carry books or anything else that would fit.

 

            5.  Transformers:  Since much of the electric current found in the ETO was incompatible with our electrical equipment, it was found that by arranging series connections, we could operate our equipment with native current.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

 

            1.  That boxes used to supply equipment be standardized to make for better handling, loading, and use after emptying.

 

            2.  Small transformers be included to compensate for different native current.

 

            3.  Small distilling apparatus.

 

            4.  More truck space to faciliate loading and make the constant shifting and overloading unnecessary.

 

            5.  Larger quantity of Kahn and Wasserman tubes and racks.

 

            6.  A small electic water bath.

 

            7.  A typewriter.  Both this section and X-ray section have clerk-typists assigned to them with no typewriter between them.

 

            8.  During basic training many biologicals and serums were sent with the regular equipment.   Since these all have an expiration date, it was found necessary to transfer these to the nearest medical unit that could use them rather than transport them overseas.  The refrigeration factor also makes long trips an important reason for not acquiring them until ready to use.

 

            9.  The Copper Sulphate test for determining various blood factors was checked in each case with a more standard method and found to be very satisfactory and much quicker.

 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF TYPHUS TEST:

 

            1.  Add one drop of distilled water to the blue spot within the large ring. Bring into solution by tilting from side to side.  Use of a mechanical object to stir will bring false reaction.  The blue spot is made up of dried Proteus OX19 with Methyline blue added.

 

            2.  Add a drop of serum or whole blood.  A finger puncture will provide enough blood.  Mix well by tilting the paper again.

 

            3.  The test is valid in titers from 1:200 TO 1:2000. This is well above the minimum standard for positive typhus determination.  The speed of agglutination will determine the titer.  If there is no agglutination after a few minutes, it is negative.

 

            XV.  RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES OF THE UNIT.

 

            No chaplain assigned to unit until Chaplain Davis came 25 Aug 1944.  Personnel made use of services in neighboring chapels at Camp Shelby.

 

            After Chaplain Davis' arrival, Protestant services were conducted in the enlisted men's day room.  Although several fully equipped chapels in Camp Shelby were not in use at this time, the unit was too far away from them to make any use of the facilities.  Catholic and Jewish personnel were served at neighboring chapels.

 

            Camp Kilmer:  Appropriate services for all faiths in nearby chapels.

 

            Troopship crossing the Atlantic:  Chaplain Davis shared in the responsibility for conducting services daily and on Sunday.

 

            Tenby, Wales:  protestant services were conducted in the Presbyterian Church and Catholic personnel were served by the priest of Holyrood and St. Tilos Churches.  At this time, the unit initiated its own Jewish services on Friday evenings.  These services continue to the present.

 

            Camp C5:  Services for all faiths were held on post.

 

            Troopship crossing English Channel:  Catholic and Protestant services were conducted on ship by appropriate chaplains.

 

            Camp 20 Grand:  Catholic personnel were served at St. Pierre de Varangeville Church in the nearby village.  The unit had its own Protestant and Jewish services, which were attended by men from nearby units without chaplains.

 

            During a three-day trip by box car, a General Service for all faiths was conducted by Chaplain Davis alongside the tracks in a Paris Freight Yard.

 

            Rambervillers:  Unit Protestant and Jewish Services.  Catholics served by local Catholic Church.

 

            Rottwiller:  Same as above.  Here the Passover Seder was conducted for our Jewish personnel and men of neighboring units.  Here also Holy Thursday and Good Friday services were conducted.

 

            Gollheim:  protestant services and Jewish.  Catholics served at neighboring unit.

 

            Frankfort-am-Main:  Same as at Gollheim.  Jewish and Protestant services were conducted in Racetrack Grandstand.

 

            Ettersburg:  protestant services conducted in Lutheran Church.  Catholics served by visiting Catholic chaplain.  No Jewish services because of working conditions.

 

            Kersburg:  Protestant service in open.  No Jewish or Catholic service because of moving.

 

            Cham:  Protestant services conducted in Lutheran Church, Jewish services in Officers' Mess.  Catholics served by neighboring Catholic Chaplains.

 

            Upon arriving on the continent, we experienced five consecutive Sundays in which the unit moved either in one echelon or more.  within the next several weeks two more moving days occurred on Sunday.

 

            A good deal of welfare work was carried on through the Red Cross and in personnel interviews.  Distributions of books, Testaments, and other literature were made periodically.

 

            XVI.  MESS SECTION.

 

            The Mess Section has been in operations since the Unit was activated except while unit was in Staging Areas.  Patients' mess was set up several times during Field problems in Camp Shelby, Mississippi, but was never used due to the type of work the Unit had in the combat zone.  Simulated casualities in Field Problems were fed from Detachment Mess because of their small number and lack of equipment for the Patient's Mess at the time.

 

            In Tenby, Wales, two messes were used:  Detachment Mess and Officer's Mess.  Local contractors purchased the garbage from us.  Equipment was packed and not used, area engineers issued equipment for use while we were there.  Classes were held for cooks and cook helpers.

 

            Equipment was unpacked and checked in Rambervillers, France.  Cases for Fire units were needed for Patients and Officers Mess because Sterilizing wire baskets cannot be used with the immersion type Heaters.  Six cases for fire units were drawn from salvage dumps at the time.

 

            From experience we learned that eight Immersion type Heaters are needed for the Enlisted Men's mess and four for the Officer's mess.  Basis:  four Inversion Type Heaters and four thirty-two gallon cans per 100 men.

 

            Garbage in France was given to farmers and in Germany buried.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

            1.  More personnel is needed in the Mess Section for KP work.

 

            2.  Six cases, fire units be issued; four for Patient's mess and two for Officer's mess.

 

            3.  Four Immersion Type Heaters be issued per 100 men in the Detachment Mess.

 

            XVII.  THE RECEIVING AND EVACUATION SECTION

 

            The Receiving and Evacuation Section was organized according to T/O and E 8-581.  While undergoing unit training it functioned on bivouac with simulated casualties.  A standard Operating Procedure was written following the training period.

 

            Our first commitment on the continent consisted of treatment of patients from the liberated Buchenwald Concentration Camp.  The main mission was to evacuate a "small camp" within the large camp where the worst malnutrition patients had accumulated.  Six hundred patients were evacuated out of this camp with the use of ten ambulances in a period of two days.  Those patients were admitted into buildings outside the camp which formerly were used for the SS troops and served as our hospital.

 

            The Receiving and Evacuation standard operating procedure was not adhered to because our work consisted of an emergency medical problem uncovered for the first time.  Due to this fact no time was wasted in initiating Field Medical Records but an abbreviated clinical record was begun and kept on each patient as soon as he was admitted into our hospital.  No admission and disposition records were required by the Third Army Surgeon's Office.  A chain of evacuating these patients from our hospital had not been set up by the Army authorites; therefore no evacuation took place while we were at Buchenwald.

 

            The second commitment was at Cham, Bavaria.  Here also our hospital did not treat American soldiers but instead was assigned "Displaced Personnel" patients.  They were sick people who had been liberated from concentration camps in this area.  Again our SOP had to be put aside and new methods had to be employed.

 

            The first problem to be solved was one of language.  Out of nine enlisted men assigned to this sectoin, only one spoke a foreign language.  To cope with the situation, a 1st Lieutenant, Medical Corps and two Lieutenants, Army Nurse Corps, who spoke foreign languages, were added to the section to assist in the obtaining of necessary information needed for the sick and wounded records.

 

            For the Field Medical Record was substituted an admission slip, which contained the diagnosis, name, religion, lager number (concentration camp number) and nationality.  This slip was then inserted into the Field Medical Jacket, the letter was tied onto the patient.

 

            No attempt was made to collect valuables, because these patients had none.

 

            An admission and disposition record was maintained from noon to noon and submitted daily to the Registrar Section.  It was required that this report have a division of the patients according to nationalities.

 

            For the first two weeks there existed no chain of evacuation.  It was necessary that before a patient could be evacuated he had to be ambulatory.  These ambulatory patients were evacuated to camps known as "DP camps" whre they were held until further transportation could be obtained to evacuate them back to their countries.  At times there would be a delay in evacuating ambulatory patients from the hospital because these camps were full and were awaiting transportation.  Only litter patients of French, Belgium and Holland nationalities were  allowed to be evacuated after several weeks.  These patients were brought by ambulance to the Regensburg air strip, and from there were flown by C-47 planes to France.

 

            XVIII.   SPECIAL SERVICE HISTORY.

 

            A description of Special Service activities of this organization must follow two phases common to the histories of any unit of the Armed Forces:  (1)  Its period of training in the States, and (2) its service overseas.  While the over-all purpose of Special Service remains the same throughout--the responsibility of furnishing opportunities for recreation to all members of the unit, the conditions under which the department must function are markedly different in each phase.

 

            Shortly after the 120th Evacuation Hospital was activated and began training in Camp Shelby, Mississippi, Lt. Joseph G. Milstein, DC was appointed Special Service Officer.  Lt. Milstein had been at one time a professional magician, and employed his entertainment experience by organizing weekly shows for the unit.  Special Service at this time also established a day room, and organized softball teams.  This aggregation managed by Tec 5 Priest, entered the non-divisional league at Camp Shelby, and occupied first place with a record of eight wins against one defeat until special training forced many units to withdraw  and caused the abandonment of the league.  Five extra league games were played with divisional troops, all of which were won, to gain the 120th an enviable record of 13-1 for the season.

 

            A few days prior to the unit's departure for overseas duty, Lt. Milstein was transferred to another hospital, and Capt. Samuel Weinstock, DC was appointed Special Service Officer.  At this time a large portion of the company fund was allocated for the purchase of a motion-picture projector.   The balance was used to provide a "going-away" party.

 

            Upon arrival in the U.K. this hospital was stationed in Wales for an approximate period of two months.  During this time Sgt. David Morrison was asked to form a newspaper staff for the purpose of publishing a unit newspaper.  The first edition of HABBA-HABBA was printed January 20th.  The paper was published weekly thereafter until departure for the combat zone forced a suspension of its activities.

 

            While in Wales, our film projector was used to show movies at the local Red Cross Club twice a week, providing entertainment for troops billeted in the area.  Dances were sponsored each week at the local dance hall, and two U.S.O. shows were sponsored at the village theater.  Also at this time, a football team was organized under the supervision of Lt. Moshofsky.  "Moshofsky's Marauders" played games with the 125th and 130th Evacuation Hospitals and other units stationed in the area.  Our team completed its short season undefeated.

 

            Movement to the continent seriously curtailed the athletic program, though some inter-department games were played both in softball and football.  During the swift progress of Allied armies across Germany, many of the usual functions became impossible to perform.  However, films were shown on an average of three times a week; magazines and books were distributed.  Captured SS German film projectors were repaired to augment our own equipment; and with odds and ends, an amplifying system was constructed, complete with microphone and turntable.  A library of captured SS German records was established also.

 

            At Cham, Sgt. Morrison set up a day room in what was formerly a German cafe, complete with writing tables, a record-playing system, a library of books and magazines, bar service (beer only) and a game room with ping-pong table and dart boards.  The 120th also requisitioned the local theatre, set up its own projection equipment and showed films to capacity crowds drawn from  more than fifteen units in the area.  Red Cross clubmobile service was acquired for the first time.  Softball and volleyball teams played a schedule of games.  A small "swing" group practiced daily to form a nucleus for a projected dance band; a glee club also practiced with some music already procured.

 

            Since arrival in the ETO, Special Service has arranged USAFI courses for more than thirty men.  A group class in Calculus was established under the supervision of Cpl. Maurice Singer.  Lessons in photography, and film processing have been given by Tec 4 Seymour Ellman and Tec 5 Victor Pasca.  1st Sgt. Lindsey Bobo and Pvt.  Rex Fleetwood have illustrated techniques in leather-craft.

 

            The greatest hindrance to the efficient operation of a Special Service in an Evacuation Hospital is the lack of a T/O appointment of an NCO to handle this work as his primary duty.  Our hospital overcame this handicap only through help of NCO's who voluntarily contributed their free time.  The next most serious problem was the faulty distribution of equipment.  Our unit continuously lacked authorized equipment.  Clever improvisation only partially alleviated the lack.  However, it is understood that this was unavoidable and a minor concession to the more important supply needs of a fast-traveling army.

 

            Much has been learned in a little more than a year that this organization has been activated.  Special Services has found that it can organize and maintain a wide scope of activity under the proper guidance and with helpful cooperation from other departments.  Capt. Weinstock, as Special Service Officer, has employed the policy of careful guidance and support, at the same time allowing the enlisted representative to use his own abilities to improvise and create a recreational program free from encumbering rules and regulations.  So far it has proved quite successful.

 

            SUMMARY

           

            As a unit, Officer, Nurses and Enlisted Men have worked excellently.  Although this unit was inactive for some time, when it drew an assignment, personnel showed themselves eager to work both as individuals and in cooperation with others.  The standard of work put forth left little to be desired and more than rewarded the work put into training.  Morale has been consistently high even throughout the trying times that any newly organized unit must go through.

 

 

   8  Inclosures.                                                                          CLIVE P. MURDOCH

       Incl. #1:   S. O. #196, 24th Hq & Hq Det                   1st Lt. MAC

                      Sp Trpc., 2d Army, Camp Shelby,               Historian.

                      Mississippi

        Incl. #2-#5:  Photographs

        Incl. #6:  Slide

        Incl. #7:  City plan of Cham.

        Incl. #8   Receiving and Evacuation Forms.