National Archives catalogue number WO 177/360.

Abbreviation

106736 Adm ADMS ADS Adv Airldg Amb Att Bde Bn Br Brit Cas CCP Cdn CO Comd DADMS DDMS Det Div DMA DMS DZ Eqpt FAP Fd FDS FSU Fwd GOC Gp H Hosp incl Inf Instr Lt LZ MAC MDS Med MG MR MT OC Offr Op QM RE RAMC RAP RASC RE Ref Regt REME Rfts RHU RUR SB SS Stn Temp Tps Tpt Wef

Map Reference Administration Assistant Director Medical Services Advanced Dressing Station Advance Airlanding Ambulance Attached Brigade Battalion Bridge British Casualties Casualty Collection Point Canadian Commanding Officer Command Deputy Assistant Director Medical Services Deputy Director Medical Services Detached Division / Divisional Divisional Maintenance Area Director Medical Services Drop Zone Equipment First Aid Post Field Field Dressing Station Field Surgical Unit Forward General Officer Commanding Group Highland Hospital Included Infantry Instruction Light Landing Zone Motor Ambulance Convoy Main Dressing Station Medical Machine-Gun Map Reference Motor Transport Officer Commanding Officer Operation Quartermaster Royal Artillery Royal Army Medical Corps Regimental Aid Post Royal Army Service Corps Royal Engineers Reference Regiment Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Reinforcements Reinforcement Holding Unit Royal Ulster Rifles Stretcher Bearer Special Service Station Temporary Troops Transport With Effect

Month and year : June 1944

Commanding Officer : Col. M. MacEwan, DSO, OBE, DFC

6th June 1944

Place: Harwell, Berks.

0140 - ADMS and party left Harwell Aerodrome in Glider No 81.

Place: Normandy, France.

0315 - Glider landed after uneventful crossing until fired on by flak ships which registered two hits on glider.  No cas.  Party met on L.Z. by DADMS (Maj R. R. Maitland), who had jumped with 225 Para Fd Amb.

0430 - Medical, Div HQ, functioning at Map Ref 106736 (Sheet 7 F/2, France 1:50,000).

0500 - ADMS visited MDS 225 Para Fd Amb where reception and treatment of cas was proceeding smoothly.

0600 - ADMS visited RAP, 7 Bn Para Regt, and CCP established by Capt C.J.R. Jacobs, RAMC, for cas from Coup-de-Main Party on Bridges over R. Orne.

0800 - ADMS visited MDS 225 Para Fd Amb and various RAPs.

1100 - ADMS recce several houses in area for site for MDS 195 Airldg Fd Amb.

1500 - ADMS attempted to reach area of 3 Para Bde but was unsuccessful owing to enemy infiltration.

7th June 1944

Place: Normandy, France.

MDS, 195 Airldg Fd Amb established at Le Mariquet (115735).  MDS, 224 Para Fd Amb established at Le Mesnil (138727).  ADMS visited all Div Med units.

1400 - CCP of 8 Fd Amb on east side of R. Orne shelled and vacated.  As no evacuation of cas was taking place ADMS and OC 225 Para Fd Amb located CCP on west side of river and evacuation resumed.  DADMS (Major R.R. Maitland) died as a result of wounds received while attending to a patient.  Summary of activities of Med Services 6 Airborne Div for D and D + 1 incl at Appendix 'A'.

8th June 1944

Place: Normandy, France.

1200 - Major Maitland buried at Ranville.  All cas except post operated evacuated from Div MDSs.

1730 - Seaborne Party of ADMS staff joined Adv Div HQ.

2000 - MDS 225 Para Fd Amb opened as Sick Reception Centre for Div.

9th June 1944

Place: Normandy, France.

1720 to 1830 - Div HQ heavily shelled and mortared, followed by enemy counter attack in the immediate vicinity.  Lt Col W.M.E. Anderson, RAMC (OC 195 Airldg Fd Amb) wounded while supervising collection of cas incurred by 1 RUR at Longueval.  Maj I.C. Gilliland RAMC assumed comd 195 Airldg Fd Amb w.e.f. 10 Jun.

10th June 1944

Place: Normandy, France.

ADMS visited HQ 1 Corps for Med conference.  Summary of activities of Med Services, 6 Airborne Div up to and incl D + 6 att.  Appendix 'B'.

15th June 1944

Place: Normandy, France.

Brigadier Wallace, DDMS, 1 Corps, visited Med units of 6 Airborne Div during morning.

16th June 1944

Place: Normandy, France.

a.m. - DDMS, 2nd Army (Brigadier Phillips), DDMS, 1 Corps (Brigadier Wallace) and Consultant Surgeon, 21 Army Gp. visited Div Med units.  ADMS visited ADMS, 51 (H) Div, re evacuation of cas.

17th June 1944

Place: Normandy, France.

3 and 5 Para Bdes exchanged locations.  Fd Ambs remained in position - 224 Para Fd Amb coming under adm comd 4 Para Bde and 225 Para Fd Amb under 3 Para Bde.

18th June 1944

Place: Normandy, France.

1000 - ADMS attended Med conference at HQ 1 Corps.

2030 - MDS, 225 Para Fd Amb, closed at Ranville and moved to new location, M.R. 120760, (remained temporarily closed).

19th June 1944

Place: Normandy, France.

0915 - ADMS visited DMS, 21 Army Group (Major General Tomlinson) at 86 General Hosp.  DDMS, HQ Airborne Tps (Brigadier Eagger) visited Div HQ (Medical) and Div Med installations.

20th June 1944

Place: Normandy, France.

MDS, 224 Para Fd Amb heavily shelled and mortared during night 19/20.  MDS closed and all ranks and eqpt evacuated to MDS, 195 Airldg Fd Amb.  Tpt rendered unserviceable.

1400 - ADMS attended med ops conference at HQ 1 Corps.

21st June 1944

Place: Normandy, France.

1900 - MDS 225 Para Fd Amb, moved to new location, M.R. 122755, and opened to receive cas.  MDS, 224 Para Fd Amb moved to new location, M.R. 120760; remained closed.

22nd June 1944

Place: Normandy, France.

ADMS visited HQ, 1 Corps, for Med conference.

23rd June 1944

Place: Normandy, France.

1055 to 1150 - Div HQ heavily shelled for 53 minutes.

24th June 1944

Place: Normandy, France.

Capt Young, RAMC, RMO 7 Bn Para Regt, wounded this a.m.  Capt Urquhart, MO, HQ 5 Para Bde, det for temp duty with 7 Bn Para Regt until Capt Young returned.

25th June 1944

Place: Normandy, France.

1500 - Div HQ moved to new location M.R.

29th June 1944

Place: Normandy, France.

ADMS visited by DDMS 1 Corps (Brig. Wallace) and ADMS 3 Brit Inf Div (Col Cameron).  During month ADMS visited Div Med units daily and visited Med installations of 1 Corps frequently in connection with the evacuation of Div casualties.

6th to 30th June 1944

Place: Normandy, France.

A return of number of cases admitted to MDSs of Fd Med units of 6 Airborne Div is given at Appendix 'C'.

Month and year : July 1944

Commanding Officer : Col. M. MacEwan, DSO, OBE, DFC

1st July 1944

Place: Normandy, France

1530 - Div HQ moved from Ranville to Quarries at Ecarde (Map Ref 113753) ADMS office set up at new location by 1700 hrs.

2nd July 1944

Place: Normandy, France

Dental Centre opened by 225 Para Fd Amb at unit location (Map Ref 122755)

3rd July 1944

Place: Normandy, France

1500 - ADMS visited by Lt.Gen. FAM Browning, CBE, DSO, & Div Comd.

4th July 1944

Place: Normandy, France

1030 to 1230 - Div Comd accompanied by ADMS inspected med units.

6th July 1944

Place: Normandy, France

1100 - Col. Buttle visited Div Fd Med Units and interviewed Surgical Specialists and Graded Surgeons.

1400 - ADMS attended Med Ops conference at DDMS office 1 Corps.

7th July 1944

Place: Normandy, France

1530 - RAMC Rfts posted from 34 RHU for duty with Div Fd Med Units.

11th July 1944

Place: Normandy, France

1200 - Skin Clinic & VD Centre established by 224 Para Fd Amb at Map Ref 118757, PAC also established at same location.

1200 - Disinfestation Centre established by 225 Para Fd Amb at Map Ref 122755.  All cases Pediculosis being referred thereto in the first instance.

11th / 12th July 1944

Place: Normandy, France

ADS 195 Airldg Fd Amb shelled during night - Tpt temporarily unserviceable.

12th July 1944

Place: Normandy, France

1400 - ADMS attended A/Q conference at Div HQ.

1800 - ADMS attended HQ 1 Corps for interview with DDMS.

13th July 1944

Place: Normandy, France

1000 - ADMS called conference for Fd Amb Comds.

14th July 1944

Place: Normandy, France

1000 - 224 Para Fd Amb inspected by Bde Comd, unit congratulated on very high standard of turnout, eqpt and weapon maintenance.

15th July 1944

Place: Normandy, France

1100 - DDMS 1 Corps accompanied by ADMS 3 Brit Div visited ADMS.

16th July 1944

Place: Normandy, France

1230 - C-in-C, 12 Army Gp visited Div HQ and presented medal ribbons to recipients who had gained awards during D Day & D + 1.

17th July 1944

Place: Normandy, France

FAPs established at R Orne Brs for Op "Goodwood".

19th July 1944

Place: Normandy, France

FAPs established a R Orne Brs for Op "Goodwood" closed and MAC cars allotted for Br duty returned to HQ, MAC.

21st July 1944

Place: Normandy, France

1900 - ADMS visited DDMS 1 Corps.

28th July 1944

Place: Normandy, France

1700 - Div HQ visited by Russian Military Mission - ADMS present.

29th July 1944

Place: Normandy, France

1400 - ADMS attended A/Q conference at Div HQ.

1600 - ADMS attended DDMS 1 Corps conference.

30th July 1944

Place: Normandy, France

1700 - Comds & Heads of Services conference - ADMS attended.

31st July 1944

Place: Normandy, France

0900 - ADMS called conference of Fd Amb Comds.

1400 - ADMS attended DDMS 1 Corps conference.

Month and year : August 1944

Commanding Officer : Col. M. MacEwan, DSO, OBE, DFC

1st August 1944

Place: Normandy, France

Div HQ still located at ECARDE (Map Ref 113753).

2nd August 1944

Place: Normandy, France

Capt HP Watts, RAMC, assumed the duties of DADMS (from 9 Para Bn).

3rd to 8th August 1944

Place: Normandy, France

This period was spent in a very thorough inspection of the hygiene of the units within the Div.  Appendix "A".

9th August 1944

Place: Normandy, France

195 Airldg Fd Amb and 225 Para Fd Amb exchanged locations.

14th August 1944

Place: Normandy, France

1100 - Fd Amb Comds conference.  Discussion of deficiencies in personnel and tpt required to make Fd Ambs mobile.

16th August 1944

Place: Normandy, France

1845 - Conference with DDMS, 1 Corps.

17th August 1944

Place: Normandy, France

OPERATION "PADDLE" commenced at 0400 hrs this morning.  195 Airldg Fd Amb moved to "CHATEAU DE NIXON", LE PLEIN (Map Ref 133756).  225 Para Fd Amb remained open at LE MARIQUET and furnished a car post at LE MESNIL.  224 Para Fd Amb are still at RIVA BELLA.

18th August 1944

Place: Normandy, France

2200 - Conference with OC, 224 Para Fd Amb.  QM present.  Unit to be reinforced by 195 Airldg Fd Amb (20 men) and 225 Para Fd Amb.  This in order to constitute 3 workable field ambulances within the Div.  It is essential to have 3 units as Div has to advance on a very wide front for a long distance.  ADMS intends "leap-frogging" Dressing Stns and normally keeping one complete Fd Amb in reserve.

19th August 1944

Place: Normandy, France

Rear Div HQ, incl Med, moved to LE MARIQUET (old site of 6 Airldg Bde HQ) Map Ref 125730.  ADS 225 Para Fd Amb set up in area ST RICHER (Map Ref 212708).  Remainder of 225 Para Fd Amb moved up to ST SAMSON (closed).

20th August 1944

Place: Normandy, France

MDS, 225 Para Fd Amb, moved up to and fused with its ADS at Map Ref 212708.

21st August 1944

Place: Normandy, France

MDS 225 Para Fd Amb closed at Map Ref 212708 at 1800 hrs.  224 Para Fd Amb opened MDS at DOZULE (Map Ref 259729).

1500 - Div HQ (Rear) Med moved to area Map Ref 188691.  225 Para Fd Amb have passed through approx 400 cas since commencement of operation.

22nd August 1944

Place: Normandy, France

0030 - ADMS warned that Div is moving to CRESSEVEUILLE (Map Ref 3173) tomorrow.  Plan two routes of advance, 5 and 3 Para Bdes and 4 SS Bde to PONT L'EVEQUE and 6 Airldg Bde and 1 SS Bde to Br (Map Ref 4610).

0900 - Conference with OsC 225 Para Fd Amb and 195 Airldg Fd Amb.  OC, 225 Para Fd Amb, to recce area as close as possible to PONT L'EVEQUE and open.  OC, 195 Airldg Fd Amb, to recce area on route of advance of 6 Airldg Bde.

1000 - Div HQ moved from area ST RICHER (Map Ref 188691) to CREUSSEVEUILLE (Map Ref 3173).

1430 - 195 Airldg Fd Amb opened MDS at DEVILLERS (Map Ref 312813).

1600 - 225 Para Fd Amb opened MDS in an evacuated German Hospital which had been left in good condition (Map Ref 497000).  The Germans left a message agreeing not to shell the hospital provided there were no fighting tps within 1,000 yds of it.

2000 - Div HQ (Main) incl Med moved to Map Ref 463049) (One mile NORTH of BEAUMONT EN AUGE).

23rd August 1944

Place: Normandy, France

20 FDS arrived at German Hospital occupied by MDS 225 Para Fd Amb.  As the evacuation of cas to LA DELIVERANDE now means a turn round of amb cars of not less than 6 hours cas are to be held at 225 Para Fd Amb with assistance from 20 FDS as required.

1730 - 61 cases held by 225 Para Fd Amb.  This afternoon fwd elements of 5 Para Bde have been withdrawn from PONT L'EVEQUE to high ground to WEST.

24th August 1944

Place: Normandy, France

3 Para Bde moved to area Bridge (Map Ref 4610).  195 Airldg Fd Amb to make the necessary medical arrangements.

1200 - 195 Airldg Fd Amb and 225 Para Fd Amb are now to evacuate cas to 32 CCS (Map Ref 438445).  4 MAC cars are loaned to 225 Para Fd Amb from 224 Para Fd Amb to assist in evacuation of cas today.  At 0800 hrs 225 Para Fd Amb held 101 cas.  By 1700 hrs only 21 remained.  The following parachute trained medical offrs arrived from 104 CRC - 254113 Capt. O'REAGAIN, FPC, 279122 Capt. SMITH, SM, 301623 Lt. RAY, RL, 306026 Lt. SARSFIELD, DA and 318042 Lt. HANLEY, T.

2100 - 195 Airldg Fd Amb arrived ST GATIEN (Map Ref 525107).  224 Para Fd Amb remains on wheels at DOZULE.

25th August 1944

Place: Normandy, France

20 FDS is now supported by 48 FSU at German Hospital (Map Ref 497000).

1330 - Div HQ, incl Med, moved to orchard (Map Ref 599797).

1700 - 224 Para Fd Amb open at ST ANDRE D'HEBERTOT (Map Ref 591063) to receive cas from 3 and 5 Para Bdes, 1 and 4 SS Bdes and R.Netherlands Bde.  225 Para Fd Amb closed at Map Ref 497000.  195 Airldg Fd Amb open at ST GATIEN (Map Ref 525107) to receive cas 6 Airldg Bde.  Belgian Lt Fd Amb open in area Map Ref 5514.

26th August 1944

Place: Normandy, France

1400 - 225 Para Fd Amb moved to Casino at TROUVILLE.  By midday today 6 Airborne Div held all the ground from mouth of R. SEINE to incl PONT AUDEMER.  (PONT AUDEMER was exclusive to Div).  GOC ordered 24 hours rest for whole Div.

27th August 1944

Place: Normandy, France

Belgian and Dutch contingents come under comd 49 Div.  Casualties for OPERATION "PADDLE" (Passed through MDS') -

Div HQ moved to Map Ref 507069.

28th August 1944

Place: Normandy, France

Dive HQ remains in present location until move to transit camp.

Month and year : September 1944

Commanding Officer : Col. M. MacEwan, DSO, OBE, DFC

1st September 1944

Place: Normandy, France

Div HQ located at ST MARTIN (Map Ref 507069)

2nd September 1944

Place: Normandy, France

Div HQ moved off in MT to 60 Transit Camp.

3rd September 1944

Place: Normandy, France

Embarked for U.K.  PM.

4th September 1944

Place: Syrencote House, Milston, Wilts.

ADMS arrived at Syrencote House.

5th September 1944

Place: Syrencote House, Milston, Wilts.

DADMS arrived at Syrencote House.

6th September 1944

Place: Syrencote House, Milston, Wilts.

ADMS and DADMS proceeded on leave.

Appendix 'A'

OPERATION - OVERLORD

Short Summary of Med Services, 6 Airborne Div up to and including D + 1

1.  GENERAL

        (a) On night 5/6 June 1944 the med installation of 6 Airborne Div, less 6 Airldg Bde, left various aerodromes in England in med support of 6 Airborne Div for the invasion of the Cherbourg peninsular.  Each Bn had under comd one section of its Bde Fd Amb, the remainder of the Fd Amb forming the MDS element.

        (b) Liaison - The DAD[H?], Major D Clark, accompanied 8 Fd Amb, 3 British Div, who were responsible for evacuating cases of 6 Airborne Div once contact was made.  Major Clark was wounded on the beaches but Major MacDonald contacted HQ 6 Airborne Div at 2200 hrs D Day when evacuation started.  No praise can be too high for the way Major MacDonald carried out his duties subject as he was the whole time to heavy mortar and mg fire.

        Major West, 195 Airldg Fd Amb, landed with 225 Para Fd Amb, recce the site for the MDS of 195 Airldg Fd Amb and acted as guide on arrival of the unit.

        Major Maitland jumped with 225 Para Fd Amb, met the ADMS on his arrival and acted as guide to Div HQ.  Major Maitland was unfortunately killed while attending to a patient later on D Day.

        (c) Enemy Action.  M/G fire, snipers and Mortar fire were practically continuous during D and D + 1.  All the med installations were hit several times and there was considerable difficulty in collecting cas, but in spite of this work went on smoothly and without break.

        (d) Surgery.  Most of the wounds in the first 2 days were caused by rifle and m/g and the majority of major surgical ops performed were for mortar and shell wounds.

2.  The Coup-de-Main Party on the bridges had under comd F/22358 Capt C.J.R. Jacob, 2 med orderlies and 6 SBs.  They crash landed at the bridge at 0020 hrs night 5 6 June.  18 British and 6 German cases were collected and treated by Capt Jacob and his party.  Capt Jacob and his party were withdrawn and 1700 hrs D Day.

        224 Para Fd Amb landed at 0100 hrs widely dispersed, some sticks coming down several miles off the DZ.  The CO, Lt. Col. D.H. Thompson and his party have not been seen at all nor have the glider-borne component consisting mostly of heavy stores, jeeps, trailers and RASC personnel.  Major Young and Lt. Philo are especially praise-worthy for the way in which, having dropped some miles NE of VARAVILLE, they gathered together sticks of Fd Amb and fighting personnel and, skirting VARAVILLE, brought their charges safely into the MDS area.  Many individual deeds of initiative, perseverance and personal bravery are recorded as a result of the various scattered detachments finding their way to the MDS.

        The role of the 3 Para Bde was such, and the battle was so fluid, that 224 Para Fd Amb was put under comd 3 Para Bde with instrs not to deploy till Comd 3 Para Bde considered it advisable to do so.

        The MDS was eventually deployed at LE MESNIL (138727) at 0850 hrs D Day when cas from 8 and 9 Para Bns and 1 Cdn Para Bn were evacuated and treated.  Major Young, in the absence of Lt.Col. Thompson, assumed comd of the unit.  The cas resulting from the attack of 9 Para Bn on the bty at MERVILLE (154782) were particularly difficult to collect owing to the fact that practically the whole of the att section had become casualties themselves, the close and dangerous nature of the country and that the Bn moved back to SALLENELLES (132768) on completion of the task but the collection was accomplished by Major Young and his men during the course of the day.

        Contact with the Bde was not accomplished until the early hrs of D + 1 when the ADMS visited the Fd Amb and as a result of losses of personnel att Capt Atkinson as a surgeon and Capt Rutter as [DO?] to the unit.

Total cases treated - 113, Total operations performed - 29.

        225 Para Fd Amb landed on DZ 120750 at 0100 hrs 6 Jun 44.  Lt.Col. Harvey, the OC, recce the chateau earmarked for the MDS at 109735 and after taking 3 German prisoners set up the MDS at 0300 hrs.  Contact was made with each of the Para Bns in turn and deficiencies in med personnel were made up from Fd Amb.  Cases began to arrive at 0400 hrs, the surgery started at 0405 hrs.  No.3 section under Capt Tibbs were responsible for the collection of cases from DZs and LZs.  They continued the work searching for cas until 1300 hrs during which time they were under almost continuous M/G, mortar and sniper fire.  Some 18 cas were collected.

        The ADS est by 7 Para Bn on west side of canal bridge was at one time captured by the enemy but Capt Wagstaffe in comd managed to get all his personnel and wounded away safely.

Total cas treated - 373, Total operations performed - 35.

Adv Div HQ landed at 0240 hrs where they were met by the DADMS who had jumped with 225 Para Fd Amb.  Div HQ was functioning by 0430 hrs and the ADMS was contacted and visited all med units.

195 Airldg Fd Amb landed by glider on LZ W at 2100 hrs 6 Jun 44 where they were met by Major West who conducted the unit to a lining up place in the neighbourhood of 225 Para Fd Amb.  On the morning of D + 1 they moved to LE MARIQUET (115735) where a MDS was established.

Total cas treated - 154, Total operations performed - 23.

[Signed MacEwan]

Colonel,

A.D.M.S.,

6 AIRBORNE DIVISION.

BWEF.

26 Jun 44.

Appendix 'B'

OPERATION - OVERLORD

Short Summary of Med Services, 6 Airborne Div up to and including D + 6

[This appendix begins with a complete copy of the content of Appendix 'A', not including the casualty tables printed above. Where Appendix 'A' finishes, i.e. the paragraph concerning the 195th Airlanding Field Ambulance, Appendix 'B' then begins with a narrative of D + 2 and onwards.]

B.    D+2 - D+6

        Heavy cas were incurred by 1 RUR at LONGUEVAL.  Lt.Col. W.M.E. Anderson went out with a party of jeeps to help collect cas.  After loading cas on to jeeps the party were attacked by enemy M/Gs and rifles from 100 yds causing many cas among patients and SBs.  Lt.Col. Anderson was wounded.  Finally the party, under comd Lt. [?], 195 Airldg Fd Amb, ran the gauntlet right through the centre of the enemy and succeeded in getting the patients, including Col. Anderson, clear.

        Major IC Gilliland (106791) assumed comd 195 Airldg Fd Amb.

        On the evening of D + 6 12 Bn Para Regt put in an attack at BREVILLE.  They suffered many cas due to intense and accurate mortar fire and well placed m/g fire.  Capt. TH Wilson set up an ADS and after calling for help from Div succeeded in collecting within an hr of the battle all British and enemy cas.  I would like to point out that most of this work was done not only under heavy shell fire but that on several occasions they ran into our own counter battery.  My thanks are due to the med personnel of the SS Gp who helped enormously during this night in the collection and evacuation of cas.

        Div HQ was shelled intensively on many occasions causing cas to 11 Offrs and 74 ORs but the extremely small number of med personnel on Div HQ were on all occasions able to cope with the situation.

LESSONS LEARNT.

        The importance of liaison between, in this case, 3 British Inf Div and Airborne Forces whose casualties have to be evacuated.  In this connection my thanks are due to Brig. VB Wallace, DDMS 1 Corps, Col. Cameron, ADMS, 3 British Inf Div and Major McDonald, 8 Fd Amb, not only for the organisation which allowed the evac to go on smoothly and in unbroken sequence but also for the untiring energy, gallantry and devotion to duty of Col. Cameron and Major McDonald.

Total cas treated - 1953, Total operations performed - 201.

Colonel,

A.D.M.S.,

6 AIRBORNE DIVISION.

BWEF

28 Jun 44.

Appendix 'C'

Number of Cases Admitted to MDSs of Field Med Units of 6 Airborne Div from 6 to 30 June 44.

Appendix 'A'

HYGIENE INSPECTION OF 6 AIRBORNE DIVISION BY ADMS 3 - 8 AUG 44

GENERAL.

        The bathing and laundry arrangements within the Division are far from satisfactory.

        There are two sets of salt water sprays on the bank of the R. Orne.  Apart from that there is no organised bathing arrangement except in units - which of necessity are crude.

        There are no arrangements for laundry.

        To remedy these serious defects I would suggest a mobile bath and a laundry.  If these are not available a bathing, disinfestation and laundry unit should be established under Divisional arrangements.  One of the Fd Ambs could undertake this service.  If attention is not paid to laundry and bathing I anticipate a large increase in skin diseases and minor sepsis during the coming months.

        Units could attend the disinfestation centre immediately on coming out of the line.  Treatment for infestation would be carried out at the same time.

        It must be impressed on commanding officers that wastage is not only caused by wounds but also by sickness due to bad administration and discipline.

        In order to cut down the incidence of boils on the neck I recommend that face veils be washed at frequent intervals.  Considerable time and effort was spent in England by my DADH in training Water Duty personnel and sanitary men.  I find that some units have neglected to bring out by air or by sea their trained sanitary and Water Duty personnel.

        HEADQUARTERS, 6 AIRBORNE DIVISION.

        The hygiene of the area was good on the whole.  A number of minor faults were seen and rectified on the spot and are therefore not mentioned in this report.  In every area visited varying numbers of tins together with refuse were seen in ditches.

R.E.

        Satisfactory.  A grease-trap is being supplied by med.

R.E.M.E.

        Latrines are not fly-proof.  The cook was dirty and unshaven.

R.A. (4 Airldg A/Tk Bty)

        The ditches bounding this area were in a disgraceful state.  No attempt had been made to remove food or refuse.

A/Q

        One hole filled with foul water requires filling in or draining.

PROVOST.

        This area was satisfactory with the exception of two dug-outs which I was informed had been vacated hurriedly by the 7 Para Bn.  These dug-outs contained biscuits and other food debris.  In fairness to the 7 Para Bn the remainder of their area was left in very good condition.

SIGNALS.

        The Water Tank Truck has no control valve.  There is not a single man trained in water duties.

RECCE.

        This unit is in a most unsatisfactory site close to the new main road.  There are numbers of fly-breeding grounds in the area, e.g. refuse in ditches which the unit is in the process of removing.  The latrines are not fly-proof.

C. & CAMP

        Satisfactory.

R.A.S.C. (DMA)

        Satisfactory.

        3 PARA BDE.

8 and 9 Para Bns.

        Extremely good.

1 Cdn Para Bn.

        Extremely good but one unburied animal was found near a cookhouse.  The same cookhouse contained food which was not protected from flies.

        5 PARA BDE.

Bde HQ and Bns.

        Everything extremely good.  'C' Coy 12 Para Bn should be provided with a lean-to cookhouse from Engineer resources.

        6 AIRLDG BDE.

Bde HQ.

        Perfect.  The area vacated by 'C' Coy 12 Devon on 8 Aug 44 was left in a disgraceful condition.  A number of partially filled in slit trenches contained food debris.  One trench had obviously been used as a latrine and no attempt had been made to fill it in.

[Signed MacEwan]

COLONEL,

ADMS, 6 AIRBORNE DIVISION.

BLA

Aug 44.