AIRBORNESURGICAL TEAM NO.1
THIRD AUXILIARYSURGICAL GROUP
ATTACHED TO 326A/B MED. CO., 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION
29 July 1944
SUBJECT:?Report of Surgical Team.
TO: ?Commanding Officer, Third Auxiliary Surgical Group, APO 230, U. S. Army.
Airborne Surgical Team No. 1, consisting of the following personnel, was attached to the 326th Airborne Medical Company, 101st Airborne Division, 29 March 1944 for the :purpose of ' giving general surgical support to the division, during the airborne operations of the assault on Western Europe.
Maj. A. J. Crandall, MC O-308089
Capt.C. O. Van Gorder, MC O-381452
Capt.J. S. Rodda, MC O-391362
Capt.Saul (NMI) Dworkin, MC O-344944
Tec4 Allen N. Ray, 34036366
Tec5 Emil K. Natalle, 3742996
Tee5 Ernest E. Burgess, 31283826
Pvt.Francis J. Muska, 31281735
This team with two officers, Capt. E. C. Yeary, MC, Executive Officer of the Medical Company, and Capt. Charles (NMI) Margulies, of the 326th Airborne Medical Company, was assigned as the advanced echelon of the Medical Company in the first glider assault wave. The equipment consisted of:
1. Two complete basic general surgical instrument sets, supplemented.
2.One complete orthopedic instrument set, supplemented.
3.Sterile debridement sets, separately packed and complete for operation.
4.Surgical Chests, augmente .
5.Anaesthesia Chest.
6.Plaster Chest.
7.Sterile drapes and other linens and goods.
8.Splints, Army Standard types.
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9.Plasma and transfusion set.
10.Two instrument sterilizers.
11.Litters and litter stands.
Theequipment was packed in one l/4 ton trailer transported in glider No. 2. One 1/4ton truck 4 x 4 was alloted to tow the trailer andwas transported in glider No. 4.
Inaddition to the above each man carried one kit, canvas, field, containingsterile debridement instruments, 2% procaine solution, syringes, needles,bandages, dressings, tourniquets, splints, sulfa drugs, premixed plasma, drugs,etc. There was also available medical supplies such asinstruments, sterile goods, plaster, splints, plasma, etc., dropped inparachute equipment bundles.
Inorder to properly treat landing zone casualties and to insure against totallosses in any one group the personnel and equipment were dispersed throughoutthe glider formation as follows:
Glider No. 2.
Capt.C. O. Van Gorder
Tec4 Allen N. Ray
Tec5 Ernest E. Burgess
Pvt.Francis J. Muska
Trailer with surgical equipment load.
Glider No. 4.
Capt.E. C. Yeary
Tec5 Emil K. Natalie
MedicalCompany Truck 1/4 ton, 4 x 4
Glider No. 10.
Maj.A. J. Crandall
Glider No. 28.
Capt.C. (NMI) Margulies
Glider No. 34.
Capt.Saul (NMI) Dworkin
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Glider No 43.
Capt.J. S. Rodde.
Gliders Nos. ?1, 28, 34, and 43 also transported ammunition,explosives, weapons with combatants.
Themission of the advance echelon of medical personnel was:
1.On landing to establish aid stations on the field and adjacent fields of thelanding zones not covered by medical aid and to render emergency treatment toall casualties in the vicinity.
2.To establish and operate a surgical installation for major operative proceduresas advanced echelon of the 326th Airborne Medical Company.
3.To function as an Auxiliary Surgical Team attached to the 326th AirborneMedical Company.
Thefirst assault wave of gliders including the Surgical Team took off from Aldermaston airdrome, England, at approximately 0119 hours;6 June 1944. The flight was uneventful until the formation was a few miles offthe west coast of the Cotentin Peninsula. At that point enemy fightersattacked. Heavy flak, intense machinegun, and small arms fire was encounteredas the coast was reached and continued until all gliders had landed. All the gliderswere hit many times, during the 20 minute flight across the peninsula, but nolosses or injuries were sustained by the medical personnel from enemy fire.
Atapproximately H-3 hours, 6 June, the glider group landed. Each glider made acrash landing in the darkness several of which were severe. The darkness, anti-airborneroles, and the terrain consisting of small fields with high surrounding hedgerows and trees produced the severity of the landings. Injuries inflicted tothis group by the landing were:
Maj.A. J. Crandall: head injury, minor, with mild concussion.
????????Sprain, knee, left.
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Capt.C. O. Van Gorder: Contusion, knee, left, minor.
??? Sprain, back.
Capt.J. S. Rodda: Head injury, minor, with mildconcussion.
?????Chest, crush injury, left, costochondralseparation, moderately severe.
????? Sprain, back.
?????Lacerations, lip and chin.
Capt.Saul (NMI) Dworkin: Contusions, multiple, minor.
Capt.E. C. Yeary: Uninjured.
Cant C. (NMI) Margulies:Head injury, minor with mild concussion.
??????Laceration, scalp.
Tee4 Allen N. Ray: Contusions, multiple, minor.
Tee5 Emil K. Natalie: Uninjured.
Tee5 Ernest E. Burgess: Contusions, multiple, minor.
Pvt.Francis J. Muska: Uninjured.
Noneof the men was disabled to the extent that it was impossible to perform hisassigned duties.
Thegliders landed in the following areas in France:
GliderNo. 2: Southwest of Hiesville approximately 1000yards.
GliderNo. 4: South of Vierville approximately 1100 yards.
GliderNo. l0: South of Hiesville approximately 1500 yards.
GliderNo. 28: Vicinity of Vierville.
GliderNo. 34: Southwest of Hiesville approximately 800yards.
GliderNo. 43: South of Vierville approximately 1000 yardsand East of the road to Carentanapproximately 500 yards.
Thelandings were made in darkness and every field was under enemy fire.
Aidstations were established on the respective landing zones for the treatment ofcrash and other casualties. Rendezvouz wasestablished at approximately H-1 hours as planned in previously designatedfields as near as possible.
Maj.A. J. Crandall, Capt. C. O. Van Gorder, and. Capt. S.Dworkin assembled at the glider carrying the majorsurgical equipment. The trailer
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was then unloaded from the glider.At this time enemy mortar fire was directed on the group, one shell strikingdirectly under the glider but causing no loss of personnel or equipment.
Witha borrowed vehicle three members of this group proceeded to a recently capturedchateau just North of Hiesville.This chateau had been previously selected by study of aerial photographs as thesite of choice for establishment of the surgical installation. The surgicalunit was set up by 0930 hours. The vehicle returned to the field and broughtforward the remaining three members with casualties and established contactwith combat units of the Division.
Immediatelytwo major operative tables and one minor surgical table were set up and were inoperation by 0915 hours. These were in continuous operation until the arrivalof other airborne and seaborne elements of the Medical Company.
Capt.J. S. Rodda, Capt E. C. Yeary,and Capt. Charles Margulies had also established contact at approximately H-1hours although they had landed some distance from one another. Two aid stationswere established in that area at which casualties were collected and emergencytreatment rendered. The gliders and one Aid station were ground strafed by enemyplanes in the early morning hours. Although they were located about three milessoutheast of the former group and had to traverse territory still infiltratedby the enemy, they arrived at the station at approximately 1200 hours.
Enemyfire by snipers and small arms was present throughout the day in the vicinityof the chateau but was neutralized by our troops. Casualties were transportedto the chateau by the use of glider borne vehicles, captured vehicles, Frenchvehicles and wagons and improvised litters. The location and facilities of thechateau proved to be very good and liaison easily established with Regimentaland Battalion aid Stations so that there was a steady flow of casualties.
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Thesecond glider borne echelon of the Medical Company and the sea borne elementarrived at approximately 2000 hours, 6 June 1944, at which time four majorsurgical tables and three minor surgical tables were set up. The personnel ofone complete glider load was lost due to enemy action.
AGerman Medical Unit, consisting of two medical officers and twenty-fiveenlisted men, had been captured and was brought to the station in the afternoonof D 1. They were given tentage with additionalequipment and set up outside the chateau in the enclosed courtyard. This unitwas able to treat enemy minor wounded casualties, to give shock andpreoperative treatment before transfer of their major surgical cases to theoperating theaters in the chateau.
Thestation operated continuously, handling all non-transportable casualties, untilapproximately 2345 hours, 9 June 1944, at which time the chateau was bombed byenemy aircraft. While in operation it suffered one direct bomb hit and one nearhit with large caliber bombs, completely destroying the building and station.Considerable equipment and many records were lost. Casualties in the MedicalCompany personnel were: ? killedand ? wounded. Tec 4 Allen Ray received a handlaceration and Tec 5 Emil Natalie received a back contusion and fractured ribdue to the bombing. Neither injury was serious enough to warrantevacuation and both remained with the group. Other casualties occurredamong U. S. troops and German prisoners in the area and vicinity.
On10 June 1944, the Medical Company and Surgical Team with replaced equipment andpersonnel moved to field site in the vicinity North of Carentanand located under tentage. It continued to operatehandling non-transportable surgical cases until relieved on 11 July 1944.
Thereare many problems peculiar to an airborne operation. This team, being - thefirst used by the American Forces and the only one with the
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initial glider assaultwave, was confronted with many interesting and often difficult situations. Someof the general problems that one must consider are:
1.Supply and equipment must take up a minimum amount of space in transportation.Weight must be minimized as well.
2.There must be duplication and dispersal of equipment to insure against losses.
3.Personnel must be dispersed to cover all landing areas originally and also toavoid losses.
4.An early rendezvous of personnel and equipment must be made with establishmentof the major surgical installation at the earliest possible hour.
5.Each member of the group must be thoroughly familiar with the detailed plan ofthe operation. He must have a complete mental picture of the terrain, locationof friendly and enemy forces as far as possible and a map of the territory.
Landingin enemy territory and in darkness the medica1 soldier and officer is surroundedby enemy at this time and is 'on his own'. He can notdepend upon a definite landing in the planned zone or upon protection by hisforces. Such was the case with this group in many instances. All were underdirect fire at the time of landing, on the fields and until established in thechateau. The entire area was infiltrated with enemy. Recognition by friendlytroops was carried out with password and signals. In some instances considerabledistances were traversed through territory not yet secure in order to establishcontact and installation.
Becauseof limited space and weight, tentage, X-ray,operating tables, special anesthesia, equipment, cots, and blankets were notavailable to the unit. An attempt was made to utilize all possible space bycarrying necessary instruments, sterilization equipment, sterile goods,antiseptics, ether, sodium pentothal, plasma, plaster, splints, and essentialdrugs.
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Avery satisfactory surgical installation was established in a captured Frenchchateau a few hundred yards north of Hiesville; a fewbeds were available, litters were used as cots and as operating tables onchests and stands. Silk parachutes which are always plentiful in an airborneoperation are ideal in replacing blankets.
Theflow of casualties was great and a definite attempt at classification was madewith treatment of non-transportable cases and evacuation of transportable caseswhen possible. The principle of conservation of fighting strength as well, assaying life was at all times adhered to by the surgical team and company.
Duringthe first hours, while working in darkness and under constant enemy fire, itwas impossible to keep records. In this group records were made thereafter, butunfortunately were destroyed at the time of enemy bombing of the chateau.Others were lost during a move of the station. However, by use of the stationblotter and individual notes a fairly accurate thought not complete list ofwounded has been compiled. One must remember that X-Ray was not available.Therefore, the following is of chief value only as a classification of regionalinjuries.
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GENERAL CLASSIFICATION| DATE | TOTAL PATIENTS | MULTIPLE WOUNDS | TOTAL WOUNDS |
| 6 June | 125 field casualties received emergency treatment | ||
| 6 June | 85 | 7 | 126 |
| 7 June | 235 | 58 | 303 |
| 8 June | 407 | 88 | 627 |
| 9 June | 146 | 52 | 203 |
| 10 June | day following bombing of station, no records available.??????? | ||
| 11 June | 224 | 79 | 393 |
| 12 June | 137 | 48 | 251 |
| 13 June | 180 | 48 | 272 |
| 14 June | 52 | 19 | 88 |
| 15 June | 56 | 16 | 84 |
| 16 June | 37 | 7 | 68 |
| 17 June | 94 | 29 | 151 |
| 18 June | 55 | 20 | 93 |
| 19 June | 28 | 1 | 29 |
| 20 June | 26 | 2 | 31 |
| 21 June | 28 | 3 | 34 |
| 22 June | 22 | 4 | 31 |
| 23 June | 45 | 12 | 72 |
| 24 June | 16 | 4 | 24 |
| 25 June | 22 | 5 | 29 |
| 26 June | 18 | 8 | 32 |
| 27 June | 22 | 1 | 24 |
| TOTAL | 2070 | ||
The above 22 days covered the major portion of the work encountered. During the subsequent period this station operated, the cases became few and sporadic. Evacuation to other complete hospitals was done in most instances.
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REGIONALCLASSIFICATIONA.HEAD INJURIES:
1.Gun shot wounds ???????????? 37
2.Shell fragment wounds ????? 39
3.Compound fractures ????????? 5 (not due tosun shot or shell fragment)
4.Concussion ?????????? ?????????? 39???????
5.Scalp lacerations ????????????? 14
6.Burns ????????? ??????????????????????? 1
B.MAXILO-FACIAL INJURIES:
1.Eye injuries ????????????????????? 25
2.Ear injuries ?????????? ?????????? 6
(Auricle)????????????????????? 5
3.Nose injuries ?????????
a. --fractures ?????????????? 7
b. --laceration????????????? 1
4.Lip
a. --lacerations???????????? 3
5.Jaw injuries
a. Fractured mandible (Missile)???????? 11
(1) Gun shot ????????????????????????????????????? 6
(2) Shell fragment ???????????????????????????? 5
b. Fractured mandible (Trauma) ?????? 12
6.?? Face injuries????????
a. Gunshot wounds ?????????????????????? 24
b. Shell fragment wounds ???? ??????????? 39
c. Contusions ???????????????????????????????????? 2
d. Burns????????????????????????????????????????????? 4
C.NECK INJURIES:
1.Gun shot wounds?????????????????????????? ?????????? 19
2.Shell fragment wounds???????????????????????? 27
3.Lacerations????????????????????????????????????? ?????????? 1
4.Fractured cervical spine??????????????????????? 2
5.Burns?????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????? 3
?????????? (Phosphortus)???????????????????????????????????? 1
CHESTINJURIES:
1.Gun shot wounds??????????????????????????????????????? 59
2.Shell fragment wounds ??????????????? ?????????? 115
3.Contusion ???????????? ?????????????????????????????? 23
E.ABDOMINAL INJURIES:
1.Gunshot wounds???????????????????????????????????????? 27
2.Shell fragment wounds ??????????????? ?????????? 15
3.Contusion ?? ??????????????????????????????????????????????? 2
4.Lacerated wounds????????????????????????????????????? 3
F.BACK INJURII.S:
1.Gunshot wounds ???????????????????????????????? 52
2.Shell fragment wounds ??????????????? ?????????? 88
3.Fractured spine ??????????????????????????????? 14
4.Contusions ?????????? ?????????????????????????????? 11
5.Sprains??????????????????? 19
6.Lacerated wounds?????????????????????????????? 1
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G.BUTTOCK INJURIES:
1.Gun shot wounds ?????????????????????????????????????? 21
2.Shell fragment wounds ?????????????????????????? 44
3.Lacerations ???????????????????????????????????????????????? 1
H.SHOULDER REGION INJURIES:
1.Gun shot wounds????????????????????????? ?????????? 105
2.Shell fragment wounds?????????????????????????? 209
3.Lacerations? ??????????????????????????????????????????????? 3
4.Compound fractures ????????????????????????????? 74
5.Simple fractures ???????????????????????????????????????? 11
6.Dislocations ?????????????????????????????????????????????? 11
7.Contusions, simple ???????????????????????????????????? 10
8.Sprains??????????????????????????????????????????? ?????????? 5
9.Burns ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 1
I.ARM INJURIES:
1.Gun shot wounds ?????????????????????????????????????? 131
2.Shell fragment wounds ???????????????????????????? 108
3.Lacerations ???????????????????????????????????????????????? 13
4.Compound fractures???????????????????????????????? 68
5.Simple fractures ???????????????????????????????????????? 36
6.Simple contusions ????????????????????????????????????? 8
7.Burns?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 3
J.ELBOW JOINT INJURIES:
1.Gunshot wounds ??????????????????????????????????????? 15
2.Shell fragment wounds ???????????????????????????? 17
3.Lacerations???????????????????????????????????????????????? 2
4.Compound fractures ??????????????????? ?????????? 12
5.Simple fractures ???????????????????????????????????????? 77
K.FOREARM INJURIES
1.Gunshot wounds ??????????????????????????????????????? 26
2.Shell fragment wounds ??????????????????????????? 19
3.Lacerations???????????????????????????????????????????????? 2
4.Compound fractures?????????????????????????????? 37
5.Simple fractures????????????????????????????????????????? 18
L.WRIST JOINT INJURIES:
1.Gunshot wounds???????????????????????????????????????? 6
2.Shell fragment wounds ????????????????????????? 10
3.Lacerations ???????????????????????????????????????????????? 3
4.Compound fractures ??????????????????????????????? 8
5.Simple fractures ???????????????????????????????????????? 14
6.Burns ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? 1
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M.HAND INJURIES:
1.Gunshot wounds ??????????????????????????????????????? 53
2.Shell fragment wounds ??????????????????????????? 51??????
3.Lacerations ??????????? ??????????????????????????????????? 17
4.Compound fractures ????????? ????????????????????? 41
5.Simple fractures ???? ?????????????????????????????????? 47
6.Contusions, simple ?????????? ????????????????? 3
7.Burns ????????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????? 10
N.HIP JOINT INJURIES:
1.Gunshot wounds?????????????? ????????????????? 14
2.Shell fragment wounds???????????????? ????????? 14
3.Lacerations ???????????????????????????????????????????????? 1
4.Dislocations ??????????????????????????????????? 1
O.THIGH INJURIES:
1.Gunshot wounds ???????????????????????????? 62
2.Shell fragment wounds ????????????????????????????? 47
3.Lacerations ???????????????????????????????????????????????? 6
4.Compound fractures ????????????????????????????????? 37
5.Simple fractures ???? ??????????????????????????????????? 20
6.Contusions, simple? ?????????????????????????????? 4
P.KNEE JOINT INJURIES:
1.Gunshot wounds ????????????? ????????????????????? 13
2.Shell fragment wounds ????? ????????????????????? 33
3.Lacerations ?????????? ?????????????????????????????? 5
4.Dislocations??????????? ?????????????????????????????? 1
5.Sprains ???????????????? ?????????????????????????????? 25
6.Contusions ?????????? ?????????????????????????????? 9
Q.LEG INJURIES:
1.Gunshot wounds ??? ??????????????????????????????????? 117
2.Shell fragment wounds ????????????????????????????? 184
3.Lacerations ?????????? ?????????????????????????????? 10
4.Compound fractures ????????? ????????????????????? 88
5.Simple fractures ????????????????????????????? 36
6.Contusions, simple? ?????????????????????????????? 11
R.ANKLE JOINT INJURIES:
1.Gunshot wounds ??? ??????????????????????????????????? 21
2.Shell fragment wounds ??????????????? ?????????? 24
3.Lacerations ?????????? ?????????????????????????????? 6
4.Dislocations ??????????????????????????????????? 1
5.Fracture dislocations ????????? ????????????????????? 71
6.Compound fractures ????????? ????????????????????? 37
7.Sprains ?????? ??????????????????????????????????????????????? 33
S.FOOT INJURIES:
1.Gunshot wounds?????????????? ?????????????? 51
2.Shell fragment wounds ????? ????????????????????? 38
3.Lacerations ??????????????????????????????????????????????? 7
4.Simple fractures??????????????? ?????????????? 2
5.Compound fractures ??????????????????? ?????????? 26
b.Contusions ?????????? ?????????????????????????????? 6
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Althoughno specific conclusions can be reached as yet the surgical probe on any onetype of injury, certainly from the great volume of surgical work performed bythis group during this early period the mission was successful. As was demonstratedin this operation it is not possible to bring early adequate surgery to thewounded airborne soldier or the soldier to surgery by other than airborneforces.
Modernwar surgery has proved beyond any doubt that good results are directly inproportion to early and adequate surgery. The time factor between infliction ofthe wound and surgery is of cardinal importance.
Therefore,it is safe to assume that airborne surgical teams or similar specialized groupscan and should accompany airborne troops.
Inthis operation it will be noted that although the seaborne element of theMedical Company advanced surgical installation approximately 18 hours after thecombat troops went into action, it was not until about 30 hours had elapsedthat the equipment of the company could be brought into the operational area.During this period not only valuable surgery was being done but liaison wasalso well established with combat troops.
Inaddition it must be noted that approximately 72 hours elapsed before Army supportcould begin evacuation of patients this far inland to beach head hospitals andmedical battalions.
Duringthis period of the first three days, approximately 40% of the casualtiestreated had occurred.
Inconclusion we believe that the first airborne surgical team to accompany theassault wave of an airborne operation was a success and fulfilled the assignedmission in that:
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1.Emergency treatment was adequate on the glider landing zones. Minor casualtieswere treated and returned to combat.
2.Liaison was established with combat elements at an early hour.
3.An installation for major surgery was established in a location central to thecombat area.
4.Major surgery was performed at the earliest possible hour, thus reducing 'timelag' to a minimum.
5.Surgery was done on both non-transportable and normally transportablecasualties until the chain of evacuation to field, evacuation and beach headhospitals could be established.
6.The duties of an Auxiliary Surgical Team attached to the 326 A/B Medical Companyof the were performed throughout the operation.
[signed]
AlbertJ. Crandall, Maj. M.C.
CharlesO. van Gorder, Capt. M.C.
JohnS. Rodda, Capt. M.C.
SaulDworkin, Capt. M.C.
