The British Sector of the Western Front: Injuries, treatments and trenches Flashcards
What was the Ypres salient?
A place where lots of battles took place during WW2. It was on the way to Calais and Dunkirk.
The Germans always owned the high ground here meaning they could see British and French movements and build better defences.
What happened at the battle of Somme, Arras and Cambrai?
Somme: July - November 1916.
→ 60,000 injured and 2,000 dead British on the first day.
→ 400,000 Allied Casualties put massive pressure on medical services.
Arras: April 1917.
→ Tunnel system allowed troops to the frontline easily.
Cambrai: October 1917.
→ 450 large-scale tanks used for a surprise attack.
→ Not enough support by the infantry so the British lost ground.
How was the trench system organised and constructed?
2.5m deep, zig-zag pattern and with dugouts used for men to take protective cover.
How were mines and tunnels at Hill 60 near Ypres?
In a way that allowed the British to take back control and meant that Germans lost their advantage of the salient.
How were caves and quarries used at Arras?
Tunnelling was made easy because of the chalky ground
New tunnels were joined with existing tunnels, caves and quarries.
Rooms were created with running water and electricity
An underground hospital was built.
How did the environment affect transport and communications?
Difficult to move because of equipment and men
Communication was difficult in major battles
Collecting the wounded from No Man’s Land was done under fire. Even more difficult at night.
The deep mud and tight corners made it difficult for stretcher bearers.
What illnesses arose because of the trench environment?
Trench fever (caused by lice and flu-like illnesses). → Affected nearly 500,000.
Trench foot (caused by the conditions and led to gangrene). → 20,000 were affected during the winter of 1914/15.
Shellshock (caused by stress and led to tiredness, nightmares and headaches).
→ 80,000 approx suffered from Shellshock
What wounds did men suffer from as a result of the fighting?
Mental and physical scars
What were the consequences of shrapnel wounds and head injuries?
Shrapnel would get lodged in the skin and lead to gangrene.
Head injuries increased due to new weaponry such as rifles, machine guns and other artillery. A steel ‘Brodie’ helmet replaced the flat cap in 1915.
How did gas attacks affect people?
Chlorine → First used at the Second Battle of Ypres → led to death by suffocation.
Phosgene → Faster acting than Chlorine.
Mustard → First used at the Third Battle of Ypres → odourless gas that caused blisters and could burn skin through clothing.
What was it like being a stretcher bearer?
Their job was to carry the wounded from No Man’s Land at night or during a break in the fighting
Sixteen stretched bearers were in a battalion and it took four men to carry one stretcher.
What was it like for horse and motor ambulances?
Horse-drawn ambulances could not cope.
November 1915 → 250 motor ambulances.
Ambulance trains were introduced to carry up to 800 casualties and even a barge was used during the Somme.
Volunteer nurses helped as Ambulance Drivers after the government changed its policy in 1916 which had said previously only professional trained nurses could work on the Western Front.
What were the stages of evacuation?
I. Stretcher bearers.
II. Regimental Aid Post → close to the Frontline.
III. Field Ambulance and Dressing Station → Mile away from the frontline.
IV. Casualty Clearing Station → Tents and huts about 10 miles from the fighting.
V. Base Hospitals. Close to the coast, so near Calais or Dunkirk.
What was the purpose of the aid post and the field ambulances?
The regimental aid officer identified the lightly injured to the more serious.
What was the purpose of the dressing station?
Emergency treatment given to the wounded. Triage would separate the serious and the less seriously wounded.
