Fm 8-5 Mobile Units of the Medical Department (1942)

8/4/2019 Fm 8-5 Mobile Units of the Medical Department (1942)

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FM 8-5

WAR DEPARTMENTMEDICAL FIELD MANUAL

MOBILE UNITS OF THEMEDICAL DEPARTMENTJanuary 12, 1942


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MAY 6- ] .A FM 8-5MEDICAL FIELD *NUAL

MOBILE UNITS OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENTCHANGE WAR DEPARTMENT,No. 2 | WASHINGTON 25, D. C., 20 April 1944.

FM 8-5, 12 January 1942, is changed as follows:CHAPTER 14 (Added)

PORTABLE SURGICAL HOSPITAL* 415. ORGANIZATION (See T/O & E 8-572S).-a. The portablesuigical hospital is a mobile 25-bed unit designed to furnishdefinitive surgical care in areas where it is impractical to uselarger, more specialized medical units.

b. The portable surgical hospital is an independent, self-contained unit under direct control of the division, task force, orarmy commander, depending upon the unit to which it is at-tached. it is not an integral part of nor does it replace anyindividual medical unit or any hospital unit attached to adivision.* 416. COMMAND.-This unit is commanded by the senior officerof the Medical Corps assigned thereto and present for duty.* 417. FUNCTIONS.-a. To support the surgical service of a taskforce or division engaged in jungle or amphibious warfare.

b. To furnish definitive surgical care to the sick or criticallywounded for whom transportation to the rear would be fatal.c. To provide temporary hospitalization for isolated groundor air units during the phase of operations prior to the estab-lishment of more complete hospital facilities. Special arrange-ments must be made to replenish constantly special suppliesrequired by the unit when functioning in this capacity.d. To reinforce division clearing stations temporarily.* 418. EMPLOYMENT.-a. General--The portable surgical hos-pital is designed to be employed in areas where the terrain

'This change supersedes War Department Technical Bulletin MED5, 15 January 1944.579701-44--AGO 208


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MEDICAL FIELD MANUALis such that wheeled transportation is impractical or impos-sible, that is, where all personnel must march, all equipmentmust be hand carried, and all patients must be evacuated bylitter. This unit finds its primary usefulness in jungle warfare.The portable surgical hospitals are usually employed on thebasis of three per infantry division; however, the actual numberemployed may be varied in accordance with the tacticalsituation and the amount of direct surgical support required.b. In land warfare.-The medical plan of the division or

task force will include the number of portable surgical hospi-tals to be established initially, and the general, occasionallythe exact, location of the initially established portable surgicalhospitals.

(1) When not detailed in the medical plan, the selection ofexact hospital sites will be made by the surgeon of the divisionor task force, and in the absence of instructions from him, bythe hospital commander.

(2) Their location is determined in accordance with theirfunction of caring for surgical emergencies and nontransport-ables. The portable surgical hospital may operate with ad-vantage in close conjunction with a clearing station locatedwithin a short litter-carry from the front line. When thiscarry Is too long or trying for the seriously wounded, theportable-surgical hospital should be set up In advance of theclearing station, if practical. It should, however, be placedat such a distance from the front line as to permit proper per-formance of its functions.(3) Hospitals not established initially should be held in re-serve In the vicinity of clearing stations for commitment asrequired. The portable surgical hospitals in reserve may sup-port the principal effort, augment the surgical services of clear-ing stations, or relieve active portable surgical hospitals. Torelieve a unit, it may be advisable to transfer personnel only.(4) Where combat units are deployed on a wide front, andevacuation by collecting elements is restricted to litter-carryover long or difficult routes, portable surgical hospitals shouldbe established well forward, readily accessible to routes ofevacuation, and in direct support of one or more infantryregiments 2 AGO 208


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MOBILE UNITS OF THE MEDIOAL DEPARTMENT(5) Where combat units are deployed on a narrow front, these

hospitals may be established in one or more groups or inechelon.c. In amphibious operations.-(1) In amphibious warfare,

personnel and equipment of portable surgical hospitals aremoved on landing craft, normally about the time that theclearing elements of the division are moved.(2) On debarkation, the unit moves immediately to establishits position in a sheltered area on or near a route of evacuation.(3) A liaison agent, preferably an officer of the hospital,accompanies the collecting detachment in the preceding waveto select a suitable site and to inform the detachment com-mander of the exact location chosen.(4) Initial equipment must be limited to bare essentials.d. Control.-A portable surgical hospital, when attached to atask force or division, operates directly under the control ofthe surgeon of the force or division.* 419. OPEr TInoN.-a. Source of patients.-Portable surgicalhospitals receive patients from-(1) Clearing stations which they support. The bulk of cas-ualties is admitted directly to clearing stations, and only thosewho require immediate surgery or who are nontransportableneed be admitted to portable surgical hospitals. As the bedcapacity of the hospitals is limited, the number of admissionsmust be restricted.(2) Other clearing stations.

(3) In urgent cases, directly from aid and collecting sta-tions. (Records of patients so received must be cleared throughthe proper clearing stations.)b. Disposition of patients.-Patients are evacuated to therear as rapidly as their condition permits. Sorting of patientsand their transfer between clearing stations and portable sur-gical hospitals are local responsibilities, while removal of cas-

ualties from clearing stations and portable surgical hospitals toevacuation and field hospitals is the responsibility of the armyor task force surgeon.c. Closing portable surgical hospitals.-Under ordinary cir-cumstances, the hospital suspends admission of new cases when

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MEDICAL FIELD MANUALthe clearing station is being moved to a new location. Evacua-tion of a closed hospital proceeds as rapidly as possible, and whencompleted, the hospital is reestablished in the vicinity of theclearing station.d. Mess.--Mess facilities and personnel are sufficient to messonly a limited number of patients. When portable surgicalhospitals are located near clearing stations, operation of acombined mess is desirable.e. Supply.-The commanding officer of each hospital will

designate a unit supply officer who will submit timely unitrequisitions to appropriate supply agencies.

f. Transport.--(1) Vehicles in the organic equipment of theportable surgical hospital are not sufficient to mobilize the unitcompletely. Frequently motor transport cannot be used inoperations.

(2) The mobility of portable surgical hospitals, therefore,depends upon the ability of the personnel to carry the organiza-tional equipment. Commanding officers are responsible for de-vising methods of carrying equipment and for selecting criticalmaterial for pack loads not to exceed 40 pounds per man. Theuse of native bearers or other troops is required if the unit isto accompany troops whose mission requires marching overlong periods of time. Sufficient organization equipment can bemoved by unit personnel to permit operation of the hospitalfor a few days only.

(3) The portable surgical hospital may be transported by air,thereby greatly increasing its mobility.

g. Medical records required.-(1) Statistical Health Report(W. D., M. D. Form No. 86ab), to be prepared and transmittedin accordance with AR 40-1080.

(2) Report Sheet for Report of Sick and Wounded (W. D.,M. D. Form No. 51), to be prepared and transmitted in accord-ance with AR 40-1025.

(6) Field Medical Record (W. D., M. D. Form No. 52c) willbe used for each patient and it will remain with him until hereturns to duty or dies. A Field Medical Record will be startedfor every patient received unless one accompanies the patientwhen he arrives, in which event the record of the case will be

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MOBILE UNITS OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENTentered in the next unused space on the fornf. If a patientdies or is returned to duty, the completed record with the properentry in the "Disposition" space will be forwarded with thenext monthly Report of Sick and Wounded. If a patient istransferred, the necessary entries under the heading "Disposi-tion" will be made, including the date of transfer, the signatureof the surgeon, and when practical, the name of the hospital towhich transfer is to be made.

(4) Field Medical Record Jacket (W. D., M. D. Form No. 52d),used as an envelope for individual medical records. The hos-pital that starts a field medical record will also prepare aJacket to contain it. All medical records received with apatient, including the Emergency Medical Tag, will be kept ina jacket. When a patient is transferred, the Field MedicalRecord Jacket with all records inclosed will be securely fastenedto the patient's clothing. The jackets and inclosed records ofpatients who return to duty or die will be forwarded with thenext monthly Report of Sick and Wounded.

(5) Each portable surgical hospital will maintain a simplerecord of all patients admitted and of their disposition.* 420. TRAINING.-a. Responsibility.-The unit commander isresponsible for the state of training of his command.

b. Management.-The unit commander may either chargeone of the junior officers with planning and management of alltraining or he may issue general directives. In either case thetraining program must be based upon the appropriate Mobiliza-tion Training Programs. The unit commander makes suchtraining inspections as he deems necessary to insure the properprogress of training and the attainment of the prescribedobjectives.

c. Individual training.-Certain instruction required by theMedical Department soldier must be directed at him individ-ually even through given in groups for administrative reasons.This embraces instruction in the care of his clothing and equip-ment, in military courtesies, and in such medical subjects asanatomy, physiology, and bandaging. Physical conditioning ofthe individual soldier and officer in this unit is imperative.AGO 208 5


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MEDICAL FIELD MANUALd. Training of technicians.-Over and above such training

as he receives as a soldier and as a member of a unit, eachtechnician must be given further training in his own specialty.Some of this training must be given individually; other partsmay profitably be given in groups. The technician is speciallytrained in nursing as practicable under restricted conditionsobtaining in the field; in all different ways of taking andrecording the temperature, pulse, and respiration in catheteri-zation; in giving enemas and irrigations; in hypodermic medi-cations; in the material required for different medical pro-cedures; in the proper handling and disposal of fomites andother infected materials; in the disinfection of instruments andapparatus, and in the general use of common disinfectantssuch as dilute alcohol, phenol, and bichloride of mercury; andin the recording of entries on field medical records.

e. Group training.-As soon as the individual soldier has.acquired sufficient proficiency to profit thereby, he should betrained as a part of his functional group. This training in-cludes packing and unpacking of equipment, and the establish-ment of station.

f. Unit training.-As soon as the group is able to functionreasonably well, it should be trained to act as a coordinatedunit. No phase of training is more vital for the functioning ofthe portable surgical hospital than this one. The methods oftransporting the equipment demand that the system of packingbe standardized and made familiar to each member of the unit.Upon unit training depends the rapidity with which the hos-pital can be established and made ready for operation, as wellas the closure and movement of the installation.g. Combined training.-Combined training with other unitswill take place during maneuvers, and is the responsibility ofthe theater surgeon or the surgeon of the unit to which theportable surgical hospital is attached.i 421. EQUIPMENT.-See T/O & E 8-5728.* 422. INSTALLATION.-The unit establishes one portable surgi-cal hospital with a normal capacity of 25 patients.

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MOBILE UNITS OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENTCHAPTER 15 (Added)

FIELD HOSPITAL* 423. ORGANIZATION (See T/O & E 8-510).-a. The field hos-pital consists of a headquarters and three identical hospitaliza-tion units each capable of independent action, if required; Thenormal capacity of one hospitalization unit when acting inde-pendently is 100 beds. The normal capacity of the hospitalas a complete unit is 400 beds.

(1) Headquarters.-Headquarters onsists of the field hos-pital commander and an officer as administrative assistant.The enlisted personnel assigned to the headquarters assist inthe administrative functions of the unit, such as supply, mess,motor maintenance, personnel records, and morning reports.

(2) Hospitalization unit.-Each of the three hospitalizationunits is staffed with Medical Corps, Dental and Medical Ad-ministrative Corps officers, nurses, and technically trained en-listed personnel. This unit has sufficient administrative andmess personnel assigned to serve the unit when it is actingindependently.b. The field hospital is a theater unit designed for employ-

ment primarily in the communications zone.* 424. COMMAND.-The unit is commanded by the senior officerof the Medical Corps assigned thereto and present for duty.* 425. FUNCTIONS.-a. To provide definitive surgical and medi-cal treatment (station hospital type coverage) to troops inthe theater of operations where fixed facilities do not existand where construction of fixed facilities is impracticable orundesirable.

b. The field hospital cannot take care of a big load of com-bat casualties requiring operative procedures without being re-inforced professionally, since it is staffed with officers, nurses,and enlisted men on the basis of a station hospital rather thanof an evacuation hospital.* 426. EMPLOYMENT.-a. General.-The field hospital is so de-signed that each hospitalization unit can be employed inde-pendently or the unit can be employed as a whole, dependingupon the number of hospital beds needed. It is not intendedAGO 208 7


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MEDICAL FIELD MANUALthat the entire hospital be set up when one or two hospitali-zation units can serve adequately the needs of the particularsituation.b. Use when fixed facilities do not exist.-(1) This unit maybe employed to provide hospital coverage for air fields and

air bases which do not have fixed medical installations. Airfields are frequently located at a distance from Army medicalunits and must be covered by some form of definitive hospi-talization in the vicinity of the field. The field hospital isadaptable for such service and its equipment is so designedthat it can be transported by air.

(2) The field hospital may be enployed to provide stationhospital facilities to garrisons on islands accessible only byair or water and where buildings and fixed installations arenot available.

a. Use in amphibious operations.--(1) In amphibious war-fare, personnel and equipment of field hospitals may be movedin landing craft or flown in after the divisional or supportingclearing elements and normally after a beach head has beensecured. The personnel and equipment may be landed intactsimultaneously or separately as three individual hospitalizationunits and a headquarters section.(2) The tactical situation may require that the hospitaliza-tion units function independently for a time after debarkation,in which event each unit moves immediately after landingto a predesignated hospital site for that unit. In this case,each unit may be reinforced by a surgical team from theauxiliary surgical group. The headquarters section operateswith that unit which, because of the situation, most needsadministrative support. If the tactical situation warrants, thethree hospitalization units and the headquarters section as-semble as soon as practicable at a prearranged site and pre-pare to offer definitive surgical and medical treatment as acomplete field hospital unit.(3) Because of the amount of equipment required for thefield hospital and the need for expediting the assembling ofthe hospital facilities, arrangements should be made in ad-vance for definitely assigned transportation to be made avail-

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MOBILE UNITS OF THE M-EDIOAL DEPARTMENTable immediately after landing. Lumber should be includedwith the supplies as flooring and side-walling are essential forthe hospital tents, particularly in view of the fact that in allprobability, the tents will have to be dug in for protection.d. Control.-(1) When attached to a task force or division,the field hospital operates directly under control of the surgeonof the task force or division.(2) The field hospital is often attached to the theater airforce for service with that force.* 427. OPERATION.-a. Source of patients.-A field hospital re-ceives patients--(1) From the command it serves when functioning in placeof fixed medical installations at stations such as air fields,Islands, and isolated garrisons.

(2) Under exceptional circumstances-(a) From the clearing elements or portable surgical hospitals

In land or amphibious operations.(b) Directly from site of injury.b. Disposition of patients.-Disposition of patients from the

field hospital is to general hospitals or return to duty.c. Transportation.--(1) The transportation facilities of the

field hospital have been reduced to that required for admin-istrative maintenance and the amount which can be transportedby air. First echelon maintenance is performed by the transpor-tation group of headquarters section. Second and third echelonmaintenance are by appropriate designated supporting ordinanceunits.

(2) Where it is necessary for a field hospital to functionwithout the support of a higher echelon, transportation will beadded in sufficient quantity and type to permit the field hospitalto move to a new location overland by shuttle movement. Thetransportation furnished should be enough to move approxi-mately one-half of the hospital equipment at one time.

(3) When the hospital will be required to operate in isolatedareas or as an airborne unit, suitable adjustment in vehicularequipment will be made.

(4) When it is necessary for a field hospital to be trans-ported by air, approximately 38 C-47 transport planes will beAGO 208 9


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MEDICAL FIELD MANUALrequired to move the unit without shuttling. Ten C-47 transportplanes will be required to move one hospitalization unit withoutshuttling.

d. Supply.-(1) Class I supplies are automatic, being drawndaily by the unit supply officer at a designated distributingpoint. He in turn issues them to the mess officer.

(2) Medical supplies are obtained from the supporting medi-cal depot in one of the following ways: by requisition throughthe theater surgeon, by drawing upon established credits, byinformal nmemorandum which also must be approved by thetheater surgeon. Delivery of medical supplies is by sendingunit transport directly to the depot, by shipment from the com-munications zone to the nearest railhead or to the siding adjacentto the installation, or in emergencies by the transport of thedepot.

(3) Other supplies are obtained by requisition through thetheater surgeon on the nearest depot of the branch concerned.

e. Medical records required.-(1) Statistical Health Report(W. D., M. D. Form No. 86ab), to be prepared and transmittedin accordance with AR 40-1080.

(2) Report Sheet for Report of Sick and Wounded (W. D..M. D., Form No. 51f, to be prepared and transmitted in accord-ance with AR 40-1025.

(3) Field Medical Record (W. D., M. D. Form No. 52c)will be used for each patient and it will remain with him untilhe returns to duty or dies. A Field Medical Record will bestarted for every patient received unless one accompanies thepatient when he arrives, in which event the record of the casewill be entered in the next unused space on the form. If apatient dies or is returned to duty, the completed record withthe proper entry in the "Disposition" space will be forwardedwith the next monthly Report of Sick and Wounded. If apatient is transferred, the necessary entries under the heading"Disposition" will be made, including the date of transfer, thesignature of the surgeon, and when practical, the name of thehospital to which transfer is to be made.

(4) Field Medical Record Jacket (W. D., M. D. Form No.52d), used as an envelope for individual medical records. The

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M1OBILE UNITS OF THE MEDIOAL DEPARTMENThospital that starts a Field Medical Record will also prepare ajacket to contain it. All medical records received with a pa-tient, including the Emergency Medical Tag, will be kept in thejacket.(5) Clinical Records and Indexes will be maintained as pre-scribed by proper authority in the theater of operations.(6) When a field hospital operates as more than one instal-lation, each unit operating independently will submit a Statis-tical Health Report and a Report of Sick and Wounded.* 428. TRmNING.---a Responsibility.-The unit commander isresponsible for the state of training of his command.b. Managemnent.-The actual management of individual train-ing will be the duty of the officer so designated by the unitcommander since there is no plans and training officer on theunit staff. This officer will act within the policies and directivesof the unit commander. He will prepare the unit trainingprograms and schedules, assign instructors, and exercise gen-eral supervision. The management of group training may bedelegated to the subordinate unit commanders. However, muchof the group training should be correlated and combined formore uniform training and to make the greatest use of thetraining aids acquired or improvised. The unit commander willmake such training inspections as he deems necessary to insurethe proper progress of training.c. Individual.-Certain instruction required by the medicaldepartment soldier must be directed at him individually eventhough given in groups for administrative reasons. This em-braces instruction in the care of his clothing and equipment, inmilitary courtesies, and in such medical subjects as anatomy,physiology, and bandaging.d. Specialists and technicians.-The unit commander has adefinite training responsibility in the qualification of specialistsand rated technicians. It should be emphasized that all en-listed men must have been trained under AMTP 8-101 prior toreceiving training under the unit training program. For train-ing of specialists and technicians full use should be made ofspecialists' and technicians' schools whenever time and circum-stances permit. It usually will be necessary, however, for thisAGO 208 11


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MEDICAL FIELD MANUALtraining to be obtained with the unit or at a gearby stationhospital. The required program and standards.,of proficiencyare contained in MTP 8-10.e. Group.-Following the individual training and training oftechnicians and specialists, each section and service commander

is charged with the group training of the personnel of hisparticular department. This will include the packing and un-packing of equipment, the establishment and operation of thatportion of the hospital for which the section or service isresponsible. Since the field hospital frequently will be em-ployed in part, one or two hospitalization units at a time, grouptraining is a vital phase of training.f. Unit.-(1) Upon the training of the unit as a whole de-pends the rapidity with which the hospital can be establishedand made ready for operation as well as closed and made readyfor movement. Since this unit may be moved in part or as awhole by rail, boat, motor, or air transport, standing operatingprocedures must be formulated for crating and loading of sup-plies and equipment. Standing operating, procedures likewiseshould be formulated for the arrangement of the tentage of thehospital when functioning; for example, the relative locationof the admission, surgical, dental, medical, X-ray, supply andmess tents.

(2) Airborne unit training will be given as required tocertain units.* 429. EQuIPrENr.--See T/O &E 8-510.[A. G. 300.7 (15 Feb 44).]

By ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:G. 0. MARSHALL,

OFFICIAL: chief ot Staff.J. A. ULIO,Major General,

The Adjutant General.DISTgIBUTION:As prescribed in paragraph 9a, FM 21-6; R & H (2):

R 8 (S H 2, M 10) ; Bn 8 (5) ; C 8 (5).For explanation of symbols see FM 21-6.

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PM 8-5C I

MEDICAL FIELD MANUALMOBILE UNITS OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT

CHANOES 1 WAR DEPARTMENT,No. 1 | WASSIrnrTON, May 7, 1942.FM 8-5, January 12, 1942, is changed as follows:

CHAPTER 5MEDICAL SERVICE WITH ARMORED FORCE

Paragr aplsSE CTION I. General ---_------------------------ . 149-151

II. Division surgeon______------------------ 152III. Armored medical battalion-______________ 153-156IV. Unit medical detachment ---------------57-159

V. Medical supply, communication, and liaison 160SECTION I

GENERAL1-t4 EMPLOYMENT 01 ARM3OIIED UNITS--For the tactics and

technique of the employment of units of the Armored Forcesee FM 17-10.U 1750. CHAaACTEllSTICS OF EMPLOYMENT OF MEDICAL UnTrrSwrTH ARMORED FOICE.-a. Because of the high mobility ofArmored Force units the establishment of medical installa-tions is difficult and limited. Higher units must evacuatewounded at once as the units below the armored corps willhave no hospital facilities.

b. The combat zone of armored units is deep. Fightingwill often be extremely confused and the establishment ofdefinite front lines not only difficult, but unusual. The move-ment and establishment of installations of unarmoied unitsfrequently will be impracticable.

c. The number and type of casualties will vary in differentcomponents of the Armored Force. A standard evacuationsystem cannot be applied to each unit.

(1) Tank casualties will probably be less than infantrycasualties as such troops are protected from small arms fire4:3 OMl0-42


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MEDICAL FIELD MANUALand shell fragments. Tank casualties will be due to blast-ing effect of mines, resulting in fractures of the lower ex-tremities; minor wounds caused by bullet splash aid frag-mentation inside the tank; and fatal wounds caused byprojectiles of larger caliber penetrating the tank. Severeburns may also be received from vehicles set on fire. It isestimated that total casualties among tank personnel willnormally be about 5 percent and that 4 percenxt will be fatal.Casualties in particular actions may run extremely high.In combat in Africa, casualties have run as high as 30percent in 1 battle day.

(2) Infantry troops are vulnerable to air attack, evenwhen mounted in armored personnel carriers. When dis-mounted they will be as vulnerable as any other dismountedtroops. They will usually suffer higher casualties thantroops in tanks.

(3) Owing to the demand for close support, casualties inartillery troops will be higher proportionately than in artil-lery supporting other arms.

(4) Casualties in reconnaissance troops may be high.There can be no set plan for evacuation of such casualtiesand they must be carried with the unit until other troopsclose on the reconnaissance units.

d. The mortality rate among abdominal and brain cases willbe definitely affected by the rate of evacuation to medicalinstallations affording definitive surgical treatment. For-ward elements should have sulfathiazole and sulfaguanidine.Iedical personnel must be well trained in evacuation ofwounded from tanks. They must be taught how to openand get into tanks. They must at times depend upon main-tenance personnel to open the doors of the tanks for them.Ul151. SUPPORT OF ARnoAED FORCE MEDICAL UNITS.-Medicalunits of higher organizations must be prepared to evacuatethe wounded from armored divisions and GHQ reserve tankunits. The medical regiment attached to the armored corpsassists in evacuation from division collecting points. Ar-mored divisions and GHQ reserve tank units attached toarmy corps depend upon the medical regiment of that corpsfor assistance. When an armored division is sent on an

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MOBILE UNITS OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENTindependent mission its medical battalion should be appro-priately reinforced.

SECTION IIDIVISION SURGEON

N]152. DivISIOxN SURGEON.-a. The division surgeon is a mem-ber of the division commander's special staff, is the technicaladvisor on all matters relating to sanitation and medicalservice, and is responsible for the technical training of allmedical personnel of the division. His duties are adminis-trative. He has no command functions. Any orders givenby him are in the name of the division commander. Figure19 shows the organization of the division surgeon's office(see also fig. 20).

b. The division surgeon's office will usually be establishedat the rear echelon of-the division command post. However,the division surgeon will make visits to the forward echelonas necessary. He must maintain liaison at all times withmedical elements of the forward echelon of division head-quarters and with supporting medical units.

c. In order to make plans for employment of the medicalbattalion and to provide for adequate medical support fromhigher units, it is essential that the division surgeon begiven timely warning of the division commander's plans.

SECT1ION IIIARMORED MEDICAL BATTALION

m 1]53. O1](;ANIZA'IrON.-The armored medical battalion is aflexible, highly mobile unit capable of accompanying combatelements of the armored division. It is composed of a bat-talion headquarters and headquarters company and threemedical companies. It is commanded by a lieutenant colonel.* 154. EMPLOYMENT.-The medical battalion is organized sothat it may function as a unit or elements may be attachedto tactical groupings of the division. On the march, onemedical company will usually be attached to each combatcommand and the other company to the trains, but will beavailable to the battalion commander on call. Medical com-panies march at the rear of the columns. Medical personnel3


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MOBILE UNITS OF THE MFEDICAL DEPARTMENTand ambulances may be attached to advance, flank, and rearguards and to reconnaissance detachments (see also par.152c).[] 155. HEFADQUAITERS AND HEADQUARTERS COMPANY.-a. Theheadquarters and headquarters company is organized asshown in figure 20.

b. This company is organized for administration, supply,and maintenance of the medical battalion. It also furnishesmedical supplies for the unit medical detachments.i 156. MEDICAL COMPANY (AMORED).--There are three medi-cal companies (armored) in the medical battalion. They areso constituted as to be self-contained, are as mobile as anyother element of the force they accompany into action, andassure prompt medical care and evacuation of forward units.Each company has a company headquarters consisting of com-mand, maintenance, administration and supply, and messsections, a litter platoon, an ambulance platoon, and a treat-ment platoon. The commanding officer of this company hashis command post in a ~-ton carry-all. This vehicle has anSCR-528 radio set which can be set on the division net, medi-cal battalion net, or the net of the unit to which attached.His maintenance section has mechanics and a 23a-ton truck,wrecker, and is capable of first and second echelon mainte-nance. The administration and supply section maintains per-tinent records of sick and wounded and is concerned withproperty exchange and medical supply. The mess section isadequate to furnish food for the company personnel andwounded.

a. Litter platoon.--(1) Personnel and transportation.-Thisplatoon is commanded by a lieutenant, Medical Administra-tive Corps; he is assisted in his duties by noncommissionedofficers. The privates in the platoon act for the most partas litter bearers. The transportation includes a number oftrucks, one of which is equipped with a radio (see appropriateT/O and T/BA for details).

(2) Operation.-The fluid nature of armored operationsmakes it impracticable to establish battalion and regimentalaid stations in the orthodox manner. This is particularly trueof the armored regiments. It is contemplated that litter5


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MOBILE UNITS OF T IE MEDICAL DEPARTMENTbearers will be employed in the evacuation of battalion andregimental mobile collecting points established by their re-spective attached medical personnel as they follow up the unitsthey service. With the armored half-track, capable of carry-ing four litter cases, they are capable of operating in areasotherwise denied them. The 1,i-ton truck permits'approachto isolated cases by utilizing terrain features and can evacu-ate two litter cases. The 2a-ton truck may, under certainconditions, be utilized in the evacuation of casualties, as theycarry 15 litter cases. Evacuation by the platoon will nor-mally be to the mobile collecting station established by theoperating section of the treatment platoon. By means of itsradio, this platoon maintains contact with all elements of thestriking force it is serving. The most difficult problem willbe presented in the treatment and removal of wounded froma disabled tank. Special arrangements and training for theremoval of wounded from the tank turret and escape portmust be provided.

b. Ambulance platoon.-This platoon is commanded by alieutenant, Medical Administrative Corps. lie is assisted inhis duties by noncommissioned officers. The privates in theplatoon act for the most part as ambulance drivers and ambu-lance orderlies. The transportation consists of a few smalltrucks, one of which is equipped with a radio. (For detailssee appropriate T/O and T/BA.) It functions as a platoonor as two self-contained sections. This platoon is used toevacuate forward areas if the situation permits, but willusually evacuate the mobile collecting station established bythe treatment platoon. With a view to maintaining the fullcomplement of ambulances in the forward divisional areasand expediting evacuation, a shuttle system with the corpsmedical regiment ambulances must be established. At apredetermined point in the evacuation chain, arrived at byagreement with the corps surgeon, a designated corps ambu-lance is made available to the contacting division ambulancedriver. The corps ambulance driver completes the evacua-tion of division evacuees to the mobile hospital station, whilethe division chauffeur takes the corps ambulance into theforward divisional area. The advantage of this transfer ofambulances lies in the fact that the division ambulance

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MEDICAL FIELD MANUALdriver is familiar with the tactical situation and knows thelocation of the units he is servicing. With this system thedelivery of medical supplies from the corps to the divisionis expedited and property transfer is facilitated. Hazardsof air strafing or indirect harassing or interdiction artillery

.fire are lessened as there is in the evacuation system no delayotherwise occasioned by transfer of patients from one ambu-lance to another. This system has the added advantage ofreducing the handling of seriously wounded men to the mini-mum. Radio contact with all elements of the division isavailable to this platoon.

e. Treatment platoon.-(l) The treatment platoon consistsof a platoon headquarters, an operating section, and a gascasualty treatment section. The platoon headquarters has 1first lieutenant, Medical Corps, 1 platoon sergeant, and 1private (chauffeur). It is transported on a }6-ton (carry-all)and maintains contact with other elements by radio. Theoperating section of this platoon has as its personnel 4 firstlieutenants, Medical Corps, 1 first lieutenant, Dental Corps,and 18 enlisted men. Its equipment and personnel are car-ried on two 26-ton 6 x 6 trucks. It has in addition a specialoperating room body mounted on a 2j-ton truck chassis,with necessary surgical equipment, and a bus or panel typebody likewise built on a 2-ton 6 x 6 truck chassis. Thissection establishes in combat what was formerly called thecollecting station. It is the nucleus of the medical battalionin that all activities of the battalion radiate from its centerin both directions. Its mobility and the maneuverabilityfurnished by the 2j-ton 6 x 6 truck chassis permit employ-ment well forward. It will be established along axis ofevacuation of the force it supports and will usually operatein the rear of artillery. It can readily meet conditions im-posed by a shifting of the evacuation axis. It has facilitiesfor rendering adequate emergency surgical care, includingblood transfusions, at a time when such procedures are mosteffective. When the combat mission of the division resultsin disruption of lines of communication, this section cancontinue to function. It is conceivable that under certainconditions wounded will be convoyed to the rear. Evacua-tion of advanced elements will be to the collecting and treat-

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MOBILE UNITS OF THE IMEDICAL DEPARTMENTment station established by this section. Here wounds willbe redressed, splints applied or adjusted, morphine and teta-nus toxoid administered, emergency surgical measures em-ployed, and the patient reacted from shock and prepared forevacuation to the rear. No predetermined operative pro-cedure can be elaborated that will satisfactorily meet alltactical situations that may confront the armored division.Intimate control, intensive personal supervision, and markedinitiative are the essentials for efficient functioning of allelements of the medical battalion.(2) The gas casualty treatment section is equipped totreat gas casualties in the forward area if and when theenemy resorts to the use of gas. When not employed forthis purpose, it augments the operating section. It isequipped with an operating room body on a 2k%-ton, 6 x 6truck chassis and has a bathing pavilion and clothing ex-change section. It usually accompanies the operating sec-tion into action, but may function independently. It is soconstructed that it may serve the same purpose as the mobilesurgical truck.

(3) In the establishment of the collecting and treatmentstation, concealment and camouflage must be employed. Di-rection signs must be placed along the line of drift, wellforward to indicate its position. The conspicuous displayof the Red Cross is believed to serve no useful purpose andonly advertises the presence of combat troops.

(4) Since this station is usually established at night, care-ful reconnaissance by the medical company commander andan officer of the platoon is essential. Guides must be postedand all security measures observed.

(5) It will be noted that Tables of Organization for themedical battalion (armored) include certain armament (car-bines) for truck drivers not engaged in work peculiar to theMedical Department alone. These men do not wear the RedCross brassard and must be considered in the same sense astruck drivers of other arms and services. There is no viola-tion of the terms of the Geneva Convention, as medical troopsmay be armed to protect the wounded and supply trainsagainst marauding bands.


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MOBILE UNITS OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT(6) Evacuation of these stations by air may not be prac-

tical. Air evacuation assumes control of the air by friendlyforces and suitable landing fields. For these reasons aitevacuation may often be limited to areas adjacent toevacuation hospitals.

SECTION IVUNIT MEDICAL DETACHIMENT

C 157. UNIT SUTRGEON.--a. The unit surgeon is a special staffofficer on the staff of the unit commander. He is responsiblefor timely recommendations on all matters pertaining to thehealth of the command. In addition, he is commanding offi-cer of the regimental medical detachment. He exercises tech-nical professional supervision and authority over the bat-talion surgeons analogous to that under which he himselfoperates under the division surgeon. He is responsible forthe adequate training of officers and men of the regiment insanitation and first aid.

b. He is responsible to the commanding officer for sanitaryconditions in the command. He supervises sick call and allprophylactic measures.c. In combat he commands the regimental medical detach-ment and operates the regimental aid station. He is responsi-ble for the supply, replacements, and technical support andsupervision of the battalion medical sections, but their tac-tical employment is the responsibility of the battalioncommander.

d. The regimental medical detachment is composed of aheadquarters section and two or more battalion sections.These sections are in turn usually further subdivided to fur-nish an aid station squad, a litter bearer squad, and a com-pany aid squad. The organization of the regimental medicaldetachment varies in the different armored division units,and Tables of Organization should be consulted for exact de-tails. The aid station squad is fundamental to all of theseorganizations. Armored artillery has aid men, while the tankregiments and reconnaissance battalions have only the basicaid station squad.

e. Regimental medical detachments have their own half-track available to act as armored ambulances. The equip-

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MEDICAL FIELD MANUALment available for the operation of aid stations is the simplestwith which necessary first aid can be administered. Thisunit, however, should be prepared to stop hemorrhage, treatshock, and splint fracture cases for further treatment in therear.[] 158. AID STATION.-a. In combat, the regimental aid stationin the armored division is considered as a link in the chainof evacuation. The armored ambulances are used to concen-trate casualties from the collecting points along the axis ofadvance in the field and from battalion aid stations to theregimental aid station. The aid station squad renders suchprofessional care as is necessary and prepares casualties forfurther evacuation. The litter platoon of the medical com-pany establishes a collecting point as near the regimental aidstation as possible, and attends to the actual handling ofpatients and loading of ambulances.

b. The regimental aid station is located near the regimentalcommand post to facilitate continuous liaison between theregimental commander and the regimental surgeon. Regi-mental aid stations must not get so far to the rear as to losecontact with their unit. Stations should be concealed in def-iladed positions and camouflaged and dispersed to avoidaerial attacks. However, they should be plainly marked anddirection markers of a temporary nature provided for thebenefit of walking wounded. They should follow the axis ofadvance and give consideration to the normal drift of thewounded, remembering that these factors are more influencedby roads in the case of armored troops than foot troops. Theimportance of defilade from small arms and artillery fire beingobvious, cross roads and definite prominent landmarks shouldbe avoided. In addition, it is well to select a site on terrainunfavorable to the action of enemy mechanized vehicles.Regimental aid stations will be evacuated by ambulances ofthe medical company, if possible, to the collecting and treat-ment station. In some situations the regimental surgeonmay have to evacuate to this station with his armored per-sonnel carriers.m 159. BATTALION MEDICAL DETACHIMENT.-a. The battalionsurgeon serves the battalion commander as a special staff12


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MOBILE UNITS OF THE MEDICAL DEPART3MENTofficer and commands the battalion aid section. The greaterpart of the purely administrative staff duties will be rou-tinely directed from the regimental echelon. However, thebattalion surgeon conducts routine inspections and givestimely advice to the battalion commander on all mattersaffecting the health of the command.

b. The details of the organization of battalion medical sec-tions of the various mechanized units vary, and Tables ofOrganization should be consulted for the organization ofparticular units. However, the basic unit of the section isthe aid station squad, which is prepared to render simple firstaid and prepare patients for evacuation by armored ambu-lances from the regimental station. The establishment ofbattalion aid stations in the rear of the battalions, whenthey are committed, is impractical. Squads advance alongthe axis and establish at the rallying point, where they willtake over casualties removed from the armored vehicles as-sembled there. Casualties that may be dumped from tanks(medium 3M4 with safety hatch) will be given first aid bythe battalion surgeon, placed in a protected area, and evacu-ated by medical half-track personnel carrier as soon as prac-ticable. Company aid men and litter bearers will be requiredwith the engineer and reconnaissance battalion, and theinfantry regiment.

c. In combat, the battalion surgeon will follow the bat-talion closely into battle. He will maintain close liaisonwith battalion headquarters. He will move about the com-bat area in a +4-ton truck equipped to carry medical suppliesand splints for the immediate tagging and first-aid treatmentof casualties. Treatment will normally consist in stoppinghemorrhage, applying sterile dressings, and emergencysplinting. Sedatives, both barbiturates and morphine intubes ready for injection, will be available, and chemotherapywill be started at once. All therapy given will be enteredimmediately on the emergency medical tag. None of thesemeasures are elaborate or time-consuming. The battalionsurgeon directs the concentration of casualties at collectingpoints in sheltered locations along the general axis of ad-vance, where under the direction of the assistant battalionsurgeon further supportive measures can be undertaken toprevent or delay the onset of shock.

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IMEDICAL FIELD MANUALSECTION V

MEDICAL SUPPLY, COMMUNICATION, AND LIAISONU 160. SUPPLY IN ACTION.-a. Medical supply.-(1) The bat-talion distribution point is usually established near the for-ward command post of the division. However, in combat,the supply officer establishes dumps in the forward area.These dumps may be on the ground, but preferably are ini-ton trucks. One dump must be in the vicinity of thecollecting station where supplies of the regiment and bat-talion detachments may be replenished, and one dump isestablished in assembly areas immediately prior to attack.Considerable amounts of medical supplies must be kept wellforward on wheels during combat with the supply sectionof the medical company. The division medical supplies arekept in trucks near the rear echelon of division headquarterswhere the division is committed. Division medical suppliesare replenished by the corps. Dumps should always be so dis-persed that enemy fire will not destroy all of them. In allfield units of the medical service of the armored division thereis automatic exchange of nonexpendable items of equipment.In combat, expendable medical supplies are obtained by in-formal requisition from the next higher medical unit. Unitdelivery will be made by ',-ton pick-up truck, 3i-ton truck,or ambulance. Under certain conditions, delivery of medicalsupplies to isolated units may have to be made by parachute.For this purpose, a dressings unit, splint unit, and blanketunit should be packed in a reinforced canvas bag the size ofa mail bag, weighing not to exceed 60 pounds, as all threeunits could be delivered by one parachute.

(2) Class I items will be hauled in the manner usuallyemployed for other battalions of the armored division. Thetransportation platoon draws class I supplies at the divisionration dump and gas distributing point and breaks them downfor delivery to the individual medical companies. A com-plete refill of gasoline must be maintained in the combattrain of each combat command.

b. Communication and liaison.--The responsibility for theestablishment and maintenance of liaison is a command re-

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MOBIIE UNITS OF THE MIEDICAL DEPART3MENT

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MEDICAL FIELD MANUAL

sponsibility of the battalion commander. He discharges thisfunction through the command, reconnaissance, and liaisonsection of battalion headquarters. In this section he hastwo agent messengers on motorcycles and an SCR-508 (12-volt) radio. All elements of the medical battalion areequipped with radios. Commanding officers of the medicalcompanies of this battalion are charged with maintainingliaison with the medical detachments of regiments and bat-talions. They accomplish this mission through contactagents and bly radio. Messages may be sent by litter bearers,ambulance drivers, and by walking wounded under certaincircumstances. During radio silent periods when the divisionis going into assembly areas, contact agents in p4 -ton trucksmust be used. In combat, the use of special panels to indi-cate the location of collecting points requiring evacuation tothe division G-3 air section of the bomber control unit maybe necessary. This information would then be relayed toforward echelon of division headquarters. The employmentof this system will be particularly applicable to the recon-naissance battalion and to other elements of the armored divi-sion that may have lost contact with other units with whichit is operating.

[A. G. 062.11 (3-18-42).] (C1, May 7, 1942.)Paragraphs 161 to 196, inclusive, are rescinded.

[A. 0. 062.11 (3-18-42).] (C 1, May 7, 1942.)BY ORaDEiOF THE SECRETARY OF WAR: G. C. MARSHALL,

Chief of Staff.OFFICIAL:J. A. ULIO,

Major General,The Adjutant General.

16a. S. GOVERNMINTPRINTING OfFICE: 1194


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FM 8-5MEDICAL FIELD MANUAL

MOBILE UNITS OF THEMEDICAL DEPARTMENT

Prepared under direction ofThe Surgeon General

UNITED STATESGOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON: 1942


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WAR DEPARTMENT,WASHINGTON, January 12, 1942.

FM 8-5, Medical Field Manual, Mobile Units of the MedicalDepartment, is published for the information and guidanceof all concerned.

[A. G. 062.11 (1-31-41).]BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:

G. C. MARSHALL,Chief of Staff.OFFICIAL:

E. S. ADAMS,Major General,

The Adjutant General.DISTRIBUTION:R andH (2) ;R8 (SH (2),M (10));Bn8 (5); C 8 (5).

(For explanation of symbols see FIM 21-6.)

n


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Paragraphs PageCHAPTER 1. GENERAL __________________________ 1-11 1CHAPTER 2. ATTACHED MEDICAL PERSONNEL.

Section I. General characteristics --------- 12-19 25II. Enlisted personnel __________.- _ 20-23 33III. Training _---------------------- 24-29 35IV. Equipment and installations----- 3034 37V. Administration ----------------- 35-38 43CHAPTER 3. MEDICAL BATTALION, TRIANGOULAR DIVI-SION AND CORPS.Section I. Battalion---------------------- 39-51 46

II. Headquarters detachment______- 52-64 54III. Collecting company ------------ 65-76 62IV. Clearing company ______________ 77-88 73CHAPTER 4. MEDICAL SQUADRON, CAVALRY DIVISION.Section I. Squadron _____-__-_______-_---- 89-101 85II. Headquarters detachment------- 102-114 88III. Collecting troop ------____-___- _ 115-125 91IV. Clearing troop__-_--____-___-___ 126-136 97V. Veterinary troop________________ 137-148 102CHAPTER 5. MEDICAL BATTALION, ARMORED DIVI-SION.Section I. Battalion---------------------- 149-161 114II. Headquarters detachment ------ 162-174 116III. Collecting company____________- 175-185 118IV. Clearing company--_____________ 186-196 121CHAPTER 6. MEDICAL REGIMENT, SQUARE DIvIsIONAND ARMY.

Section I. Regiment -__--_____-__________ .197-211 126II. Headquarters and service com-pany __--_____________________ 212-224 133III. Collecting company -___-__-____ 225-236 137IV. Ambulance company ----------- 237-247 140V. Clearing company----_---------- 248-259 145CHAPTER 7. MEDICAL BATTALION, ANIMAL-DRAWNAND AIRPLANE AMBULANCE.

Section I. Medical battalion, animal-drawnambulance__------------------ 260-274 149II. Medical battalion, airplane am-bulance - ________- ---_______ 275-289 157CHAPTER 8. VETERINARY COMPANY, SEPARATE_ _--- 290-302 170

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Paragraphs PageCHAPTER 9. EVACUATION, SURGICAL, AND CONVA-LESCENT HOSPITALS.

Section I. Evacuation hospital___-------- 303-317 185II. Surgical hospital___-_---------- 318-330 219III. Convalescent hospital ---------- 331-346 233CHAPTER 10. ARMY MEDICAL LABORATORY--------- 347-357 244CHAPTER 11. ARMY MEDICAL SUPPLY DEPOT------- 358-371 253CHAPTER 12. VETERINARY EVACUATION AND CONVA-LESCENT HOSPITALS.

Section I. Veterinary evacuation hospital__-- 372-385 267II. Veterinary convalescent hospital_ 386-399 280CHAPTER 13. HOSPITAL TRAIN------------------- 400-414 290APPENDIX I. Demonstration and application, pitching andstriking ward tent_____----------------- 297II. Mobilization Training Program 8-5_____-__- 305INDEX ----------------------------------------------- 333


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FM 8-51-3

MEDICAL FIELD MANUALMOBILE UNITS OF THE MEDICAL DEPARTMENT

(This manual supersedes TR 225-35, January 4, 1926; TR 405-40,March 1, 1926; TB 405-95, June 4, 1932; TR 405-550, March 16,1928; TR 405-560, March 1, 1928; TR 405-570, February 20, 1929;TR 405-590, October 30, 1928; TR 405-600, April 30, 1930: TR 405-610, October 21, 1931; TR 405-620, April 10, 1931; TR 405-960,June 11, 1928; and TR 405-2040, April 16, 1928.)CHAPTER 1GENERAL

E 1. PuvPOSE.-The purpose of this manual is to provideMedical Department officers with a ready reference on thedetails of the organization, functions, equipment, and techni-cal training of medical troops in mobile units and to serveas a text in the Medical Department special service schoolsand Army extension courses.* 2. ScoPE.-The matter contained herein is limited to theinternal characteristics of medical units as distinguished fromtheir tactical employment in connection with troops of thearms and services, It is information primarily of interestto the commanders and other personnel of the units them-selves rather than information required by higher command-ers in directing the functioning of such units. For the tac-tical employment of medical units, see FM 8-10 for divisionunits, FM 8-15 for corps and army units, and FM 8-20 formedical units of higher echelons.* 3. DEFNITIONS.---a Administration.-As used herein, theterm administration, when unqualified, includes all militaryactivities of medical units that are not directly connectedwith their tactical or technical functions. It comprises sup-ply, maintenance, transportation (except of sick and injured),military justice, reports and returns, and the administrativearrangements required for sheltering and feeding of personnel.b. Administrative units.-An administrative unit is onecharged with appropriate administrative functions (see aabove). The administrative units of an army are companies,separate battalions, regiments, divisions, and the army.

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3 MEDICAL FIELD MANUAL

c. Army.-Used in a broad sense, an army is the aggregateof the organized land forces of a nation such as the Army ofthe United States (see FM 100-5). In an organizationalsense, an army is a unit of a field force, and is composed ofa headquarters, certain organic army troops, a variable num-ber of corps, and a variable number of divisions of which someor all may be assigned from time to time to corps. The armyis an administrative as well as a tactical unit.d. Attached medical personnel.-By definition, militaryunits of the size of a regiment or smaller are made up oftroops of a single arm or service. Any auxiliary personnelof another arm or service added to such a unit must there-fore be attached rather than assigned. Attached medicalpersonnel are those officers and enlisted men of the MedicalDepartment added to regiments and separate battalions com-posed of troops of arms or services other than medical.e. Battalion.-(1) A battalion is a unit composed of aheadquarters and two or more companies or similar units,and certain special units, organized and attached. Whenpart of a regiment, it is purely a tactical unit convenientlyorganized for instruction or maneuver, and particularly forcombat, as an integral part of the regiment to which itbelongs. A separate battalion is not a part of a regiment,and is organized to discharge certain administrative functions.(See AR 240-5.)

(2) As used herein, the term battalion applies with equalforce to a squadron of Cavalry and other similar units, exceptthose of the Air Corps.f. Company.-A company is the lowest administrative unitof any arm or service. As used herein, this definition applieswith equal force to a troop of Cavalry, a battery of Field orCoast Artillery, and to detachments similar in organizationto a company such as detachments of Medical Departmenttroops with prescribed organizations. (See AR 245-5.)9. Corps.-The term corps is used to designate two entirelydifferent types of military organization. When used in con-nection with administrative organization of the RegularArmy, it refers to a group of personnel with common charac-teristics, training, and missions such as the Coast ArtilleryCorps, the Air Corps, the Quartermaster Corps, and theMedical Corps. When used in connection with the tacticalorganization of a field force, however, it refers to a unit com-

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MOBILE UNITS OF MEDICAL DEPARTMENT 3

posed of a headquarters, corps troops, and two or moredivisions, and is specified as an army corps when composedof infantry divisions, and a cavalry or armored corps whencomposed of cavalry or armored divisions.h. Detachment.-A detachment is a unit which departsfrom standard military organization in one or both of thefollowing ways:(1) By being a temporary organization formed from otherunits or fractions thereof, extemporized for some specialpurpose.(2) While a permanent, authorized, and autonomous unit,by being too small to justify the inclusion of all of thenecessary administrative overhead to make it completelyself-sustaining, such as cooks and their helpers or otherpersonnel.

i. Dispensary.-A dispensary is a medical installationestablished in other than combat situations primarily forthe treatment of minor disabilities not requiring hospitali-zation. First aid is given in dispensaries, but the chief dis-tinction between a dispensary and an aid station is thatthe principal functions of the latter are in connection withbattle casualties.

i. Division.-The division is the basic large unit of com-bined arms. It comprises a headquarters, infantry (cavalry)(armored) units, field artillery units, and certain troops ofother arms and services. It is an administrative as well asa tactical unit. (See FM 100-5.)

k. Medical.-The functions of the Medical Department in-clude dental and veterinary service. When used in a broadsense in connection with functions, operations, units, per-sonnel, equipment, and supplies, the adjective medical con-notates both dental and veterinary. At other times itsmeaning is restrictive and distinguishes the service devotedto the prevention and treatment of the diseases and injuriesother than dental to which human beings are exposed.1. Platoon.-A platoon consists of a platoon headquartersand either two or more sections, or when there is no sectionorganization, two or more squads.

m. Property accountability and responsibility.-(1) Ac-countability.-All property procured for use in the militaryservice must be accounted for by some agency. Whendropped from the records of one agency, except by survey or

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other means of final disposition, it must be picked up on therecords of another agency. Accountability for property in-volves maintaining a stock record account upon which allthe items of property to be accounted for are entered. Thisstock record account shows the amounts of such items pickedup on the record, the amounts dropped by transfer to therecords of another agency or by other procedures, and thebalances for which the agency is still accountable, includingthe amounts issued on memorandum receipts. Accountableofficers render returns of their accountability, and theiraccounts are audited from time to time.(2) Responsibility.-Propertyresponsibility is the liabilityfor the protection and preservation of property placed uponpersons in possession of property or to whose care propertyhas been committed. It is assumed by signing a receipt forthe property, either a memorandum receipt or other instru-ment for the transfer of responsibility, and cannot be voideduntil such property is again receipted for by another com-petent person or agency, or otherwise properly disposed of.(3) Examples.-An accountable officer receives propertyfrom a depot or other source. He then becomes account-able for such property, and retains such accountability untilhe in turn transfers it to another. So long as such prop-erty remains in his possession, he is responsible as well asaccountable. For such of it as he issues upon memorandumreceipt he is relieved of responsibility, but retains account..ability. The person signing a memorandum receipt thenbecomes responsible but not accountable for the propertylisted thereon.n. Regiment.-Ordinarily a regiment is a unit composedof a headquarters, a headquarters company and service com-pany, either separate or combined, and two or more bat-talions. It is both a tactical and an administrative unit,and may include other nonbattalion elements with specialtactical or administrative functions.

o. Section.-A section consists of a section leader and twoor more squads.p. Squad.-A squad is a group of enlisted men organizedprimarily as a team. It is the lowest tactical unit, and iscomposed of one squad leader and other personnel asauthorized by appropriate Tables of Organization.

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MOBILE UNITS OF MEDICAL DEPARTMENT 3-4

q. Station.--Station is the generic term applied to theinstallations established in forward areas by mobile medicalunits, other than hospitals, engaged in the emergency care,treatment, and evacuation of casualties in combat; for ex-ample, aid station, collecting station, clearing station. Whena unit has established its installation and is ready to receivecasualties, it is said to be at station.r. Tactical unit.-A tactical unit is one organized for in-struction, maneuver, and combat. Units may be both tacticaland administrative, or exclusively tactical. The tacticalunits of an army are squads, sections, platoons, companies,battalions, regiments, brigades, divisions, corps, and thearmy.

s. Technical supervision.-Technical supervision may bedefined as the control of methods and procedures as dis-tinguished from the control of personnel. For example, inexercising technical supervision of the medical service of alower echelon, a surgeon may prescribe the laboratory pro-cedures to be used in the control of communicable diseases,but he may not impose quarantine which is a commandfunction. He may prescribe methods of immobilizing frac-tures, but he may not direct the disposition of patients withfractures. He may direct the use of certain drugs, but hemay not alter the military status of the medical personnelof a lower echelon.* 4. MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.---. Status.-The United StatesArmy is composed of the arms (Infantry, Cavalry, Field Ar-tillery, Coast Artillery Corps, Corps of Engineers, SignalCorps, and Air Corps) and the services. The! Medical De-partment is one of the services, and is further designatedas a supply service.


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4 MEDICAL FIELD MANUALb. General organization (see fig. 1).--The Medical Depart-

ment consists of The Surgeon General and assistants to TheSurgeon General, the Medical Corps, the Dental Corps, theVeterinary Corps, the Medical Administrative Corps (and, intime of national emergency, the Sanitary Corps), the ArmyNurse Corps, enlisted men of the Medical Department, andcivilian employees.

c. Functional organization.-The principal functional ele-ments of the Medical Department are-(1) The Surgeon General's Office.(2) Medical staff sections of headquarters of tactical andterritorial commands.(3) Medical Department units.(4) Medical Department schools.(5) Medical depots and medical sections of general depots.(6) Other Medical Department organizations such as theArmy Medical Museum, examining units, special boards, etc.d. Administrative control.-(1) Medical Department chan-nels are those chains of communication and control the

individual links of which are the surgeons of successive ad-ministrative echelons such as from the regimental surgeonto the division surgeon to the army surgeon, etc., and inreverse order. All purely technical matters which involveno command responsibility are administered through Medi-cal Department channels. Examples of such matters are thetechnical reports of sick and wounded, correspondence andinstructions relating to medical and surgical technique, andreturns of hospital funds.(2) Command channels follow the several echelons ofcommand authority and responsibility. The first step is fromthe surgeon to his commander, and thence through nexthigher or lower commanders as the case may be. All matterswhich involve command functions or responsibilities areadministered through command channels, and whenever anydoubt exists as to the proper administrative channel, thecommand channel should be selected. Examples of mattersadministered through command channels are sanitation, per-sonnel reports of sick and wounded, supply (except that directcommunication with depots may be authorized), and allmatters involving the status of Medical Department personnel.(3) The Surgeon General exercises technical supervisionthrough Medical Department channels over all medical serv-8


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MOBILE UNITS OF MEDICAL DEPARTMENT 4-5ice of the Army of the United States, but his command con-trol is limited to The Surgeon General's Office, Medical De-partment schools, general hospitals in the zone of the in-terior, and certain other activities specifically designated fromtime to time by the War Department.(4) Surgeons of territorial commands, such as of corpsareas and departments, exercise technical supervision overall medical service pertaining to their respective areas, butcommand control only over their own offices and over suchmedical agencies as are retained under the direct controlof the area commander.(5) Surgeons of tactical commands.-See paragraphs 6and 7.U 5. ECHELONS OF FIELD MEDICAL SERVICE.-For conveniencein discussion, the medical service of a field force may bedivided into five echelons. These medical echelons corre-spond to the echelons of general administrative responsibilitybut do not follow the chain of tactical command. A singleechelon of command, as for example the army, may includeas many as three echelons of medical service.a. First echelon.-(1) That medical service provided byattached medical personnel to every unit of every arm andservice (except medical) of the size of a battalion or larger,whether such unit is an element of a division, of corps troops,of army troops, or the GHQ reserve; or whether it is a sepa-rate command not a part of a larger tactical or administrativeunit. Thus, first echelon medical service is an element ofevery command larger than a company, and is provided com-panies by the attachment thereto of one or more medicalenlisted men.(2) First echelon veterinary service is that rendered bythe veterinary sections of unit medical detachments.

b. Second echeton.-(1) That medical service comprisingthe collection of casualties from the dispensaries and aidstations of the first echelon, and their concentration in oneor more clearing stations operated by the second echelon.It is a function of division, of corps, and of army medicalservice.(2) Second echelon veterinary service corresponds to sec-ond echelon medical service. In many commands, however,second and third echelon functions are discharged by asingle veterinary unit, but such a combination of functions

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5-6 MEDICAL FIELD MANUAL

should not be permitted to obscure the sharp distinctionbetween the two.

c. Third echelon.--(1) That medical service comprising theevacuation of the clearing stations of the second echelon withthe transfer of the evacuees to and their hospitalization inevacuation hospitals operated by the third echelon. Thirdechelon medical service is not a normal function either ofdivision or of corps medical service, but is usually renderedby army medical service.(2) Third echelon veterinary service corresponds to thirdechelon medical service. When rendered by a unit also en-gaged in second echelon service, the line of demarcationbetween the two functions is that point where animal evacu-ees are dropped from the records of (or technically, "clearedfrom") the division or corps.d. Fourth echelon.-(1) That medical service comprisingthe transfer of evacuees from the evacuation hospitals to andtheir hospitalization in the general hospitals of the fourthechelon. It is a function of the medical service of the theaterof operations.(2) Fourth echelon veterinary service corresponds to fourthechelon medical service.

e. Fifth echelon.-(1) If there is further evacuation ofcasualties to the zone of the interior, such service constitutesa fifth echelon of medical service, and is a function of GHQ.

(2) A fifth echelon of veterinary service is not con-templated.i. Territorial commands.--The medical service of troopsserving or stationed in rear of the combat zone is similarlydivided except that frequently the functions of two or moreechelons are performed by one medical unit. For example,a station hospital in the communications zone normally per-forms second and third echelon functions, and may performalso first and fourth echelon functions.* 6. STAFF FUNCTIONS OF MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.-a. In all unitsdown to and including the battalion, a staff is provided toassist the commander in the exercise of his command func-tions. The staff may be subdivided into two groups, the gen-eral staff and the special staff. In large units these two staffgroups are separate and distinct, while in smaller units theymerge into each other, and one staff officer frequently is

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MOBILE UNITS OF MEDICAL DEPARTMENT 6-8

charged with duties pertaining to both staff groups (FM101-5).

b. The special staff of every commander responsible formedical service includes a surgeon. In his staff capacitythe surgeon exercises no authority other than that derived.from his commander, and unless appropriate authority is soconferred, his responsibility is limited to keeping the com-mander and the general staff group constantly informed as tothe conditions and capabilities of the medical service andto the technical supervision of its activities.N 7. COMMAND FUNCTIONS OF MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.-a. Gen-eral.-Chiefs of arms or officers on duty in the offices of suchchiefs, officers of any of the services, or an officer of the linedetailed for duty in any of the services or with the NationalGuard Bureau, or an officer of any of the services detailedwith the General Staff Corps, though eligible to commandaccording to his rank, will not assume command of troopsexcept those of his service or bureau in which he is on duty,unless put on duty under orders which specifically so directby authority of the President; but any staff officer, by virtueof his commission, may command all enlisted men like othercommissioned officers (AR 600-20).

b. Dual functions of certain surgeons.-Mobile medicalunits are commanded by the senior officer of the MedicalCorps assigned thereto and present for duty. Each surgeonof a separate battalion (and of other battalions under cer-tain conditions (see FM 8-10), regiment, and division isassigned to the unit of Medical Department troops whichis an organic part of the command of which he is surgeon.Each is in immediate command of such unit in addition tobeing a special staff officer of his own commander.c. General command functions of all surgeons.-Surgeonsof echelons other than those mentioned in b above ordinarilyare assigned to the headquarters of the commands of whichthey are staff officers.* 8. TRAINING.-a. References.-For a detailed discussion oftraining management and methods, see FM 21-5. For spe-cial training required in any one unit, consult the paragraphof this manual dealing with the unit in question.b. Responsibility.-Every commander is responsible forthe state of training of his command.

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8 - MEDICAL FIELD MANUALc. Scope.-The scope of training depends primarily upon

the amount of time that can be devoted to it since there isscarcely a reasonable limit to the training that can be givenwith profit to Medical Department soldiers. Training ob-jectives are set by proper authority from time to time andannounced in orders issued to units. The training of medi-cal troops may be divided into-(1) Disciplinaryand basic training, which is the elemen-tary training given to soldiers of all arms and services.(2) Technical training,which includes instruction in spe-cial subjects other than medical such as the use of trans-port, map reading, and construction of simple entrench-ments.(3) Medical Department training, which embraces theinstruction given in subjects relating to sanitation and tothe care, treatment, transportation, and accounting of thesick and injured.(4) Tactical training,which is the instruction in the mili-tary aspects of the duties of the Medical Department soldiersuch as scouting and patrolling, use of cover and conceal-ment, orientation in night combat, communication, andsimilar activities.(5) Program.-One such program suitable for mobilemedical units, based upon a training period of 13 weeks, isshown in appendix II. This program may be expanded or

contracted to fit the time available.d. Method.-(1) Individual training.-Certain instruc-tion required by the Medical Department soldier must bedirected at him individually even though given in groupsfor administrative reasons. This embraces instruction inthe care of his clothing and equipment, in military courte-sies, and in such medical subjects as anatomy, physiology,and bandaging.(2) Group training.-As soon as the individual soldier hasacquired sufficient proficiency to profit thereby, he should betrained as a part of his functional group such as an aidstation group or a collecting station section.(3) Unit training.-As soon as groups are able to functionreasonably well, they should all be trained together to act asa coordinated unit. Training of this type is that given abattalion medical section, or a company of a medical battalion12


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MOBILE UNITS OF MEDICAL DEPARTMENT 8or regiment, wherein that unit functions alone but as awhole.(4) Trainingof specialists.-(a) General.-Over and abovesuch training as he receives as a soldier and as a memberof a group, section, and unit, each specialist must be givenfurther training in his own specialty. Some of this trainingmust be given individually; other parts may profitably begiven in groups of like specialists.(b) Artificer.-This specialist should have some naturaltalent as a mechanic and should be trained in the repairof equipment and the improvisation of simple field appliances.(c) Bugler.-In proficiency with his instrument and infamiliarity with all calls. In addition, the bugler should betrained as a runner (messenger).

(d) Cook.-Practical cooking, particularly of the fieldrations using field equipment; in baking, meat cutting, andmess sanitation, including the handling and preservation offoods.(e) Clerk.1. General.-General clerks are specially trained in

the conduct of routine correspondence, in simplefiling, and in the preparation and maintenance ofunit and individual records and reports. In addi-tion to general clerical training, each individualso rated is trained in certain phases of clericalwork applicable particularly to the departmentto which he is assigned. For example, a clerkassigned to the surgical service is taught thespelling and meaning of vwords utilized in record-ing the more common surgical conditions andprocedures, the form and arrangement of surgicaldiagnoses and reports of operations, and otherpertinent clerical duties.2. Chief clerk.-In all the duties of a general clerkand in addition in filing and in the organizationof the administrative work of regimental head-quarters. He must have a good working knowl-edge of Army Regulat ions and of all othercurrent orders and regulations pertaining toadministration.

3. Admission clerk.-Trained in the recording of ad-missions, the initiating and checking of the424576-4-2 13


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emergency tags, and the general working of theadmission department and property exchange.

4. Comnpany clerk.-The company clerk must be famil-iar with the personnel administration of the com-pany and in addition must be able to operate themessage center. The latter function requirestraining in map reading, in signaling and othermeans of communication, and in the preparationand recording of messages.

5. Headquarters clerk.-Trained in the duties ofdetachment clerk.6. Record clerk.-Trained in the maintenance of stockrecord accounts (numbering and filing of vouchers,arrangement and posting of stock records cards,etc.) and other supply records applicable to fieldusage.

7. Supply clerk.-While a supply clerk should be quali-fied generally as a clerk, he must be specially quali-fied in the technique of supply and particularlyof medical supply. This includes familiarity withthe nomenclature of items, with classes of supplies,and with all supply forms.8. Stock clerk.-Trained in the arrangement, storage,care, and issue of medical supplies and the keepingof storeroom records. A high degree of familiaritywith items and classes of medical supplies must beattained to facilitate checking incoming shipmentsand rapid filling and checking of issues toconsuming units.

9. Stock (shipping) clerk.-Trainedin the accomplish-ment of shipping tickets, invoices, and similarforms.(f) Chauffeur.-Specially trained in the operation of thetypes of motor vehicles issued to the unit, both as individual

vehicles and in convoy; in cross-country driving; in drivingat night without lights; in the organizational equipment, ifany, transported on his respective vehicle and its proper load-ing; and in first echelon maintenance of his vehicle asprescribed in FM 25-10.

(g) Dental technician.-Specially rained in the use, main-tenance, and packing of dental equipment; in assisting dentalofficers in their operations; in sterilization; in first aid to

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MOBILE UNITS OF MEDICAL DEPARTMENT 8

diseases of and injuries to the mouth and jaws; in dentalhygiene; and in the preparation and maintenance of dentalrecords and reports.(h) Electrician, general.-Selected because of prior expe-rience as a wireman, lighting wireman, or an electrician, hemust possess the ability to install wiring systems, both forpower and lighting, and have knowledge of the generalmaintenance and repair of all types of electrical equipment.(i) Electric plant operator.-Trained in erecting and han-dling of small power or lighting plants; the operating andrepair of generators and motors; the charging, operation, andmaintenance of storage batteries; and the wiring necessaryto connect motors with other electrical equipment.(j) Litter bearer.-Litter bearers are given intensifiedtraining in orientation on the ground by day or night, de-termination of protected litter routes on various types ofterrain, proper handling of litter patients, and physicalexercise directed toward increasing strength and endurance.Strength and endurance are important qualifications of lit-ter bearers. Faulty posture should be sought out and cor-rected, weak feet strengthened by appropriate exercises, andthe most efficient methods of litter bearing taught them.

(k) Machinist,general.-Trained n the duties of a generalmechanic, including construction, assembly, bench, and ma-chine tool work. He is chosen, if possible, because of ex-perience prior to entry into the service in some phase ofmachinist work.(l) Mechanic, automobile.-The use of the tools of histrade, theory of the operation of internal combustion en-gines, diagnosis of malfunctioning, common adjustments, in-stallation of smaller spare parts and assemblies, improvisa-tion of emergency repair parts, lubrication, tire repair, andthe extrication of vehicles from obstacles.

(m) Medical recordssergeant-As the general clerk in thecompany.(u) Medical technician.-Specially trained in practicalnursing under the restricted conditions obtaining in the field;in taking and recording the temperature, pulse, and respira-tion in all different ways; in catheterization; in giving enemasand irrigations; in hypodermic medication; in the materielrequired for different medical procedures; in the properhandling and disposal of fomites and other infected mate-

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8 MEDICAL FIELD MANUALrials; in the disinfection of instruments and apparatus andin the general use of common disinfectants such as dilutealcohol, phenol, and bichloride of mercury; and in the re-cording of entries on field medical records.

(o) Motorcyclist.-In addition to the training outlined inf above, they should be specially trained as messengers whichincludes proficiency in the accurate transmission of oral mes-sages; map reading and orientation on the ground, both dayand night; and a thorough knowledge of the organization ofthe detachment, of the regiment of which it is a part, and ofthe medical service of the next higher echelon.

(p) Motor sergeant.-All the qualifications of an automo-bile mechanic and, in addition, to be qualified in the opera-tion of motor transport, in convoy control, in motor trans-port supply and salvage, and in the general system of motortransport maintenance.(q) Male nurse.-Trained in general ward administration;the care, handling, dosages, and usages of the more common

drugs and medicines; the bathing and general care of medi-cal and surgical cases; the technique of the enema, catheteri-zation, gastric lavage, and similar procedures; the takingand recording of pulse, temperature, and respiration; andthe special procedures indicated in the care and treatmentof orthopedic, preoperative, post-operative, and shock cases.Above all, they are trained to know their limitations and torecognize untoward symptoms indicating that a medicalofficer should be notified.(r) Mess sergeant.-Qualification s a cook (see (d) above),and In addition in mess management, accounts, preparationof menus, constitution of all types of rations, and messing ontrains and transports.

(s) Optical specialist.--Given any training necessary inaddition to that acquired prior to entry into the service bytemporary duty in civil laboratories or factories specializingin optical supplies.(t) Pack driver.-Specially trained in the general care ofanimals and the special care of pack animals; in the appli-cation, adjustment, loading, and care of the pack saddle; andin the proper disposition of the organizational equipmentamong the loads.(u) Plans and training sergeant.-Trained as a specialassistant to S-3. Must be specially qualified in map reading,

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MOBILE UNITS OF MEDICAL DEPARTMENT 8in the preparation of situation and operation maps, and inother forms of draftsmanship useful in the preparation oftraining material. Should also be trained as a clerk.(v) Personnel sergeantmajor.-Trainedto the point of ex-pertness in personnel administration; thorough familiaritywith all orders and regulations pertaining to this function.

(w) Photographer repairer)X-r

Fm 8-5 Mobile Units of the Medical Department (1942)

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