The Importance of Royal Naval Medical Officers in Operations

J Royal Naval Medical Service 2010, 96.2 108-116

History ‘Performing Miracles’: The Importance of Royal Naval Medical Ofﬁcers in Operations ‘Overlord’ and ‘Neptune’ During World War II

S A Preece

The D-Day landings of World War II on 6 June and military papers have become available to 1944 involving the landing of over 156,000 the public since the publication of the books troops along the French coast marked the start which provide further insight into the workings of both Operation ‘Overlord’, the Allied invasion of the Royal Naval medical officers during the of north-west Europe, and Operation campaign. Using this new information, I was ‘Neptune’, the assault phase of the able to analyse the role of the medical officers campaign.(1) Confronted by German forces of the Royal Navy throughout the operations, holding defensive positions, it was inevitable focusing on their work both at sea in small that there would be a large number of craft and ships, as well as ashore in both casualties and therefore a need for medical France and the United Kingdom. From the services, supplied primarily by the Royal Army research carried out, I can conclude that the Medical Corps (RAMC) and the Royal Naval naval medics were at least as important as Medical Service, to provide both emergency their Army colleagues, if not more so, and on-going treatment of the many wounded. particularly in the early phases of the assault. Much has been written about the Army’s The conclusions of this study therefore medical role in World War II including contrast with the opinion of Coulter in the ‘Medicine and Victory’ (2) by M. Harrison, but official history written over half a century ago. the majority of work regarding Royal Naval medicine focuses on World War I, such as the Landing Ships (Tank): Critical Care books ‘The War on the Hospital Ships 1914- The preparations for Operation Overlord were 1918’ (3) by Stephen McGreal and ‘Hospital extensive and some thought had been given as Ships and Ambulance Trains’ (4) by J.H. to the number of expected casualties. A Plumridge. For information about the Royal government estimate for D-Day itself numbered Navy in the Second World War, the work of 2600 casualties, with another 10,950 expected J.L.S. Coulter is the only detailed account of in the following week.(6) With little Allied the topic and therefore is the most medical assistance available ashore in the early authoritative. The role of medical officers in stages of the assault, it was decided that the D-Day landings is covered extensively in casualties should be evacuated to the United his official history, ‘The History of the Second Kingdom for further treatment in the same craft World War; The Royal Naval Medical the troops were landed in: 70 Landing Ships Service’ ,(5) published in 1953 and 1955. (Tank) or LSTs.(7) These were chosen over the Coulter covers all aspects of medical care by larger, better equipped hospital ships as the the Royal Navy throughout the operations in German forces had shown disregard for the great detail and his conclusion is that the role Geneva Convention on previous occasions both of Royal Naval medical officers was relatively during World War I and at Dunkirk in 1940 when minor compared to that of the Royal Army two clearly marked hospital carriers, SS Medical Corps. However, more government Worthing and SS Paris, were attacked in broad

108 ‘Performing Miracles’ 109

daylight and seriously damaged by bomber officers were key during the operations. aircraft.(8) This was despite a warning signal The casualties received by staff on board the being sent to the enemy asking that the Geneva LSTs were certainly numerous, with over 800 Convention be respected.(9) As a consequence casualties evacuated from Sword beach alone of this, the Allies expected similar attacks and on June 7.(22) The first wounded seen by any so were unwilling to take the same risks in an craft were of the 6th Airborne Division who had operation of a larger scale. Another reason for been dropped on the mainland the previous the use of small craft was that senior military night. They were treated by the medical staff of figures had predicted that in the early phases of LST 423.(23) On this occasion, it was the operation it would be impossible for larger necessary for the medical teams to administer vessels to dock as there would be no quays not only the basic ‘replacement of field available at which to moor and load dressings’, but also ‘some wonderful lifesaving casualties.(10) operations’,(24) showing the differences in The 70 small ships were divided between severity of injuries sustained in the earliest the main two medical services: 40 of the LSTs stages of the invasion. In the ensuing days, the were to be medically manned by the Royal number of casualties received by the officers on Navy.(11) The service was responsible for LSTs increased rapidly, as detailed by Surgeon supplying three medical officers including; a Lieutenant Airth who noted the casualties surgeon, an anaesthetist and a doctor trained in received in his diary. On June 12, after a four- resuscitation,(12) as well as sick berth day gap in the diary due to the influx of attendants, to tend to the many wounded on patients, he recorded, ‘Got sixty casualties in their journey across the English Channel.(13) the first rush and expected another four The other 30 were manned by members of the hundred.’(25) With only three medical officers Royal Army Medical Corps.(14) Before the craft on board the craft, the sheer volume of could be used, they had to be modified for the wounded soldiers is likely to have caused chaos purpose of casualty evacuation and so were as the officers were forced to decide which supplied with drugs and equipment, (15) such men to try to save. Yet, with clarity of mind and as resuscitation apparatus and blood products, an ability to work effectively under pressure, the including serum and full blood.(16) In addition, medical officers were able to work successfully. they were fitted with 144 adjustable stretcher Almost all cases seen by medical staff on racks (17) around the bulkheads,(18) allowing LSTs in the first period of the assualt were the craft to carry a total of up to 320 wounded trauma cases. Surgeon Lieutenant Airth wrote personnel(19) and an emergency operating about some of the cases he worked on in his theatre was constructed at the rear of each diary: craft to perform critical surgery during the There were some ghastly injuries; we got return to the United Kingdom.(20) Following the theatre going immediately, and removed disembarkation of the troops at the Normandy many pieces of shrapnel… The most massive beaches, code-named Gold, Juno and Sword, effort was for an amputation through the the medically-trained members of the crew thigh for gas gangrene. But the poor fellow were responsible for preparing the tank deck was too far gone; despite several pints of and setting up the medical equipment ready to blood, he did not rally.(26) receive the first wounded.(21) This was a task Despite this unfortunate case, the medical that had to be performed without hesitation as officers managed to successfully treat many casualties resulting from enemy fire could be others and save the lives of several soldiers, expected immediately upon landing. This was including one man who was suffering from a an important role as it was necessary to be ‘serious haemorrhage from a compound organised for the receipt of the large number of fracture of the femur.’(27) The patient was wounded men so that medical treatment could apparently: be carried out effectively, highlighting just one moribund on arrival, but he was of the ways in which Royal Naval medical completely revived after four pints of whole 110 J Royal Naval Medical Service 2010, Vol 96.2

blood, followed by ligation of the bleeding released from duty to return to England,(35) vessels and application of plaster.(28) leaving the Army and hospital ships to deal The medical officers drafted to the LSTs not with the wounded for the rest of the operation, only had the difficult job of treating casualties suggesting that the services provided by the without sufficient equipment and supplies, but LSTs became ‘redundant’(36) over time. they also faced significant dangers as the operations began to unfold. With no medical Hospital Ships: The Later Stages staff ashore at the beginning of the assault, the The other main type of vessel used was the officers from the LSTs had responsibility for hospital ship, although they did not have a medical care up to the water-line on the significant role at the beginning of the campaign beaches (29) meaning that they too came under as there was nowhere for them to come enemy fire as they tried to collect casualties alongside until the Mulberry harbours were fully from the water. This greatly affected the functioning. These had a limited capacity for officers, as illustrated by the first entry in the patients and casualties could not be embarked diary of Surgeon Lieutenant Airth on June 6: directly from the shore, so the wounded had to This has indeed been D-Day; Dawned-Day, first be loaded onto Landing Craft Personnel Death-Day, Destruction-Day, Disappointment (Small) which then carried the soldiers to the and Disillusion-Day. I have seen men die carrier when the tide was favourable.(37) suddenly, horribly. I have twice been near Landing Craft Personnel Air-Cushioned (LCPAs) death myself, so near that I desperately wish were also used as water ambulances, which to forget, but probably will never do so.(30) could carry six or seven stretcher cases at a The medical officers on board LSTs time to the carriers waiting off shore.(38) It was remained crucial as long as the Army had not planned that hospital ships, including the fully established adequate care ashore. It can converted passenger ferry, HS Duke of be seen at the beginning that treatment had Lancaster,(39) were rostered to visit each of the been chaotic and sometimes unsatisfactory. beaches. However, when D-Day arrived, only Airth suggested that ‘morphia had been two hospital ships were available. HS Isle of plentiful, but treatment non-existent’,(31) and Jersey was the main hospital ship attached to another medical officer claimed that they the invading fleet (40) and she began to load ‘found it necessary to apply a large number of casualties on 9 June.(41) plasters… plasters which had been hastily Hospital ships and carriers remained of applied elsewhere’.(32) This shows the importance throughout the duration of the inadequacy of care inland and therefore the campaign. The carrier Duke of Argyll was importance of treatment at sea by the Royal docked at Arromanches on August 12, over Naval medical officers in the early phases of two months into Operation Overlord, for a trial the operations. Over time, the Royal Army embarkation.(42) Commencing at 1200 hours, Medical Corps’ facilities on the Continent the casualties were loaded continuously onto improved as the Allied forces became more the ship for over three hours with over 70 established and so the cases seen by staff on stretcher cases being embarked in the first the LSTs became less traumatic and the hour alone.(43) In total, 394 injured men were procedures became more medical. These put onto the ship of which 209 were stretcher included treatments such as ‘taking off half a bound.(44) Although it is not clear what extent pint of fluid from one man’s chest’ and ‘doing a of treatment was received by the wounded lumbar puncture’.(33) Whilst this work was still soldiers on board, it is certain that the medical important, these procedures could be carried officers would have been busy attending to the out by staff on hospital carriers and hospital patients and ensuring their comfort throughout ships which could come alongside once the the journey. This shows another aspect of care floating, artificial Mulberry harbours had been undertaken by the Royal Naval medical officers towed across from England and set up.(34) and underlines their importance in various Therefore, medical teams were steadily locations during the assault. ‘Performing Miracles’ 111

It is clear that hospital carriers were crucial involved in the treatment of casualties included in the successful management of casualties as HMS Scylla, the flagship of the Eastern Task any wounded were treated onboard by hard- Force.(50) This ship was attached to the working and determined medical officers. Normandy landings for the purpose of providing However, on each of the occasions that hospital fire support at the beaches,(51) yet, according ships could be boarded by the injured, the to Surgeon Lieutenant Commander Channell, vessels could not stay long as they were short who was the designated medical officer of the of fuel and water.(45) For this reason, it is vessel, the ship also served as a reception possible that the ships were not full to capacity centre for casualties.(52) Records show that each time. With so few of these ships used survivors were commonly accommodated during the campaign and limited time available onboard following the loss of a ship, such as for the loading of casualties, this method of HMS Lawford which left 106 survivors, of casualty treatment and evacuation can be seen which only seven were wounded.(53) Although to be less important than the LSTs as the there were relatively few casualties on this majority of cases were treated elsewhere. occasion, there are many injuries that could be sustained from being in the sea, such as shock, Other Ships: Additional Support hypothermia and immersion foot, a syndrome The majority of Royal Naval medical assistance occurring in survivors from shipwreck whose took place on board the LSTs, hospital carriers extremities had been exposed to the effects of and hospital ships but other ships in the area at the cold sea water for long periods of time.(54) the time also carried medical officers who were As a result, the medical officer would always involved in providing care for the wounded. The expect incidence of these conditions and would main ship of the operations was HMS Largs, have been responsible for ensuring that any the flagship of Force ‘S’ which controlled the other survivors collected from the water were landings on Sword Beach. On this ship, active not suffering symptoms of these illnesses. For medical participation began at 0730 on Sword this reason, it is likely that the medical staff beach, when the crew required treatment for would have had to have dealt with several cold and exposure,(46) but it was not long cases in a short period of time. It appears the before the medical team was inundated with staff handled such situations well, as Channell’s wounded soldiers. As the flagship of the fleet, work throughout the operations was deemed the majority of small craft transported casualties so worthy of praise that he was mentioned in to the carrier, resulting in the entire staff of the dispatches for outstanding conduct during the ship being ‘engaged within or away from the conflict.(55) ship all day.’(47) This included Surgeon The cruiser H.M.S. Belfast was also Lieutenant Manow, who worked exceptionally involved in several medical incidents from 6 long hours, in one instance treating 47 wounded June to 8 June, although it sustained no men in a 36-hour period.(48) Long periods of casualties itself during the bombardment of the work throughout the fleet were certainly not Normandy coast.(56) The majority of casualties uncommon, with an example of continuous received by the medical officers were from operation carried out following the shelling of landing craft which had been attacked by SS Demetriton on 21 June. Unable to transfer enemy fire during the landings, including seven or land the 29 wounded soldiers, the Force wounded soldiers who were transferred to Medical Officer and the medical officer of HMS HMS Orion following treatment.(57) Other Largs were forced to undertake all treatment patients recorded include the crew of a craft procedures themselves, operating in a transporting landmines from the beaches and converted dining saloon from 1350 hours until 14 casualties from H.M.S. Swift which was 0020.(49) This was the longest unbroken spell damaged by mines and sunk.(58) All of the of pure operation carried out by the officers patients, once treated, were loaded onto the during the campaign. LSTs for the journey to the United Kingdom. Other ships with medical officers onboard Although responsible for their immediate care, 112 J Royal Naval Medical Service 2010, Vol 96.2

the medical officers on such ships played no and cities, making it difficult for medical troops part in the continuation of treatment for the to find suitable locations to establish sick bays soldiers attended to. It is for this reason that and casualty stations. The task of this role can be deemed relatively minor reconstruction was left to the Royal Navy in compared to that of the medical officers of the designated Port Parties, often including medical LSTs and hospital ships and carriers. officers to work in the makeshift hospitals and Not all casualties were sustained away from clinics. Not well documented in Admiralty ship therefore, on some of the larger ships records, the information about these Port involved in Operation Neptune, the medical Parties is based mainly on the reports from the officers were responsible for treating any Senior Medical Officer of Port Party No. wounded resulting from enemy attack. One 1500,(64) which was tasked to assist in the such ship was HMS Nith. Heavily attacked at reconstruction of Arromanches.(65) Each of the night by German aircraft, the ship was eventually two medical officers within the party had a kit hit on June 23 by a pilotless plane.(59) The bag containing supplies and medical equipment explosion caused temporary failure of the in the event of injury of the other(66) and, after lighting, such that first aid and resuscitation had landing, medical stores were carried ashore and to be carried out by torchlight.(60) The medical a sick bay established as soon as possible.(67) officer managed to deal with the 26 wounded Although the majority of the town had been personnel by 0300;(61) a remarkable feat with destroyed by heavy bombing, the medical poor visibility, ensuring that the sailors were able officers were able to find a house in a to resume their duties as soon as possible. reasonable condition to equip and use as another sick bay and, on the outskirts, an France: Assisting the R.A.M.C underground cellar was used as an emergency Royal Naval medical officers, although based first-aid post, managed by a junior medical primarily at sea, also carried out important officer.(68) The establishment of these sick work on land. Throughout the campaign, bays was a key duty as they could then be medical officers from the landing craft and used to deal with the numerous survivors who ships were able to disembark and use their were continually landed at Arromanches skills on the French mainland, aiding their Army following the sinking of ships by German colleagues. In the first few days of Operation underwater mining attacks.(69) The treatment Overlord, there appeared to be little need for of the wounded survivors though was not the the extra assistance, with reports from the responsibility of the Royal Navy medical medical officer with RNO Ouistreham of little officers, as their Army counterparts arranged all to do ashore on June 8.(62) However, the next ambulance transport and accommodation, as day, Surgeon Lieutenant Commander Gillespie well as management of the injured until they visited the temporary emergency camp and were in a stable condition to be returned to the stated that medical supervision was definitely United Kingdom.(70) Based on this, it can be required and, by June 10, the casualty clearing suggested that the naval medics were central posts were receiving such a large number of in the reconstruction of the port and setting up injured men that all walking wounded and of adequate medical facilities, but cannot be those with minor injuries were forwarded to credited with a significant impact on casualty non-medical LSTs(63) to allow the medics to treatment ashore in France. concentrate their efforts on more serious cases. Although the naval doctors certainly United Kingdom: Resuscitation and assisted, the R.A.M.C. carried out the majority Observation of the work without help. Across the English Channel, the work carried Treating casualties was particularly difficult out in the hospitals once the wounded had on the French mainland as heavy bombing by been evacuated from the Normandy coast was both Allied and German forces destroyed the done mostly by the medical officers of the majority of the infrastructure in coastal towns Royal Navy and was critical in saving as many ‘Performing Miracles’ 113

lives as possible. The arrangements for the with one officer designated on each station for reception of the injured were made by the the morning and evening shifts.(82) These Principal Medical Officer of the Royal Naval stations proved to be exceptionally valuable in Barracks, who detailed several medical officers the early stages of the operation when the to control the disembarkation at the various hospital was at its busiest,(83) as from 7 June ports.(71) Arrival of casualties into the United to 11 June 118 patients required Kingdom focused mainly on the ports of resuscitation.(84) A key part of resuscitation Southampton, Portsmouth and Gosport(72) and, was blood transfusion which can be attributed once a ship came alongside, a Boarding Medical to saving many lives, shown by the figures Officer checked the number of cases onboard. demonstrating the use of blood products at If the cases were not yet organised according to R.N.H. Haslar in the first fortnight of the the severity of their condition, they were campaign from June 7 to June 21: 576 bottles classified by the Boarding Medical Officer as of blood and 436 bottles of reconstituted dried Port Cases, requiring immediate hospital serum were used to treat 150 patients attention, or Transit Cases.(73) Following (approximately 25 per cent. of the casualties disembarkation controlled by senior medical admitted to the hospital).(85) The number of officers,(74) the wounded could then be deaths amongst men who were transfused transported to hospitals which were divided into during this only amounted to a total of ten.(86) the three categories of Port, where the majority Away from the casualty receiving stations, of Royal Naval medical officers were based; casualties were treated on the remaining 19 Transit, and Base hospitals.(75) Port hospitals wards (87) holding over 1000 beds.(88) Gas could hold 1200 patients, Transit hospitals had a gangrene cases and burn victims were total of 6550 beds and Base hospitals had the significantly fewer than expected, although most beds for the least injured soldiers.(76) there were a large number of ophthalmic cases Of the seven designated Port hospitals, as there was a specialist present within the including Portsmouth, Southampton and staff so all cases were directed to Haslar.(89) Alverstoke,(77) Royal Naval Hospital Haslar was Many traumatic injuries were seen including the most important in the treatment of severe head trauma and chest and thoraco- evacuated casualties as those that were too abdominal wounds.(90) Those with injuries to seriously injured to be able to stand further the abdomen often required emergency surgery removal by train were taken there to be retained as abdominal incursions were discouraged in and looked after until fit for transfer.(78) LSTs, although one or two successful Originally, it was planned that only naval cases operations were carried out when deemed be dealt with at R.N.H. Haslar as the Army were absolutely necessary.(91) In order to be able to able to use other coastal hospitals under the deal effectively with this number of surgical Emergency Medical Services (E.M.S.) scheme. incidents, the surgical team from the Royal However, as the seriously wounded arrived it Naval Auxiliary Hospital Barrow Gurney in Bristol became clear that the casualties needed to be was present from 6 June until 16 June.(92) treated as soon as possible and could not be These medical officers performed exceptional transported long distances.(79) Moribund cases operations with the result that out of the first were taken to R.N.H. Haslar and not moved 108 patients, of which most were moribund on from the hospital at all and certain cases which arrival, only 19 men died.(93) It is of great credit required careful observation, such as abdominal to the medical teams responsible for treating wounds, were held for up to five days following these casualties that the fatality rate was so admission.(80) In anticipation of serious low, reflecting their skill and importance in injuries, two casualty reception stations had saving many lives. Overall, R.N.H. Haslar been established which were capable of holding accepted 1,347 patients by the end of August up to 40 cases at a time,(81) although only one 1944,(94) all of whom were dealt with by could be fully manned at all times due to the medical officers who worked tirelessly to limited number of medical officers available, ensure that as many men as possible survived. 114 J Royal Naval Medical Service 2010, Vol 96.2

Relative Importance: A Minor Role? evacuation of troops from the assault front and It is evident that medicine played an important treatment during their journey and upon arrival part in Operation Overlord and more specifically on British shores, the officers were often under Operation Neptune. In the first stages of the pressure, forced to work for long hours with campaign, from 6 June to 20 June, British few resources, yet they were still able to save casualties totalled 13,572, yet only 1,842 of these hundreds of lives. From the research carried died.(95) This demonstrates the volume of out, one could argue that the medical officers casualties who were successfully treated by on board the LSTs had the most significant task military medical services. Such a high quality of compared to the other naval doctors. This is care gave faith to the troops who were reassured because they treated the majority of the that, were they to be injured in battle, there was evacuated casualties and many of the injuries a high chance of survival. Furthermore, this sustained by the troops were severe and indicates the importance of medicine to the traumatic thus requiring urgent treatment. morale of the fighting forces and therefore to the However, all of the officers involved were war effort as a whole.(96) However, the role of responsible for treating casualties and did so the Royal Naval medical officers within this effort effectively. In the end, this was crucial to the must be kept in context. Although the Royal morale of the soldiers and therefore the whole Navy were responsible for the majority of the war effort, overall, the Royal Naval medical care carried out on LSTs, it must not be forgotten officers were of great importance in Operations that the Army also worked on board the craft, ‘Overlord’ and ‘Neptune’ in 1944. dealing with similar cases in the same environment. The Royal Army Medical Corps Bibliography also worked alongside the naval medics in Port Primary Sources hospitals, as well as running most of the Transit Imperial War Museum, London; Department of hospitals, which treated more patients than the Documents Port hospitals although the cases were less Elliot RA. M.B.E. J.P.; 94/6/1. Radloff A. ; 89/19/1. severe. Another area in which the Army excelled Surgeon Lieutenant Airth GR, R.N.V.R.; 05/63/1. was the treatment of casualties on the French mainland as the assault advanced, establishing National Archives, Kew Casualty Clearing Stations and field hospitals.(97) War Planning and Operations: Operation Overlord; Therefore, it can be argued that the Army, having MT 40/99. treated more patients, contributed more to the Report on the medical aspects of Operation medical care of troops than the Royal Navy. This Neptune as regards Force ‘S’; ADM 1/16733. supports Coulter’s argument that ‘the part played Operation Neptune: Operation of Hospital Carriers, by the Navy was a relatively minor role in a vast ADM 179/480. medical operational organisation’.(98) However, Medical Report on Operation Overlord, July-Oct the Royal Naval medical officers have been 1944; ADM 179/413. shown to be crucial in the early stages of the Evacuation of casualties over Beaches and from operations when casualty numbers were at their Small Harbours; Notes from a Casualty Evacuation highest. As a result, I feel that Coulter Post, Normandy; WO 222/174. underestimated the significance of Royal Naval Operation Overlord; WO 199/3144. medics in the campaign.

Conclusion Secondary Sources In conclusion, the medical officers of the Royal Chandler D, Collins Jr. J. The D-Day Encyclopaedia. Navy were involved in key stages of casualty New York: Simon and Schuster; 1994. treatment at sea in LSTs, hospital carriers and Coulter JLS. History of the Second World War; The hospital ships, as well as on larger ships Royal Naval Medical Service Volume 1: attached to the invading fleet and in hospitals in Administration. London: Her Majesty’s Stationery the United Kingdom. Responsible for the safe Office; 1953. ‘Performing Miracles’ 115

Coulter JLS. History of the Second World War; The ‘Operation Dynamo’, 26 May – 4 June 1940, Royal Naval Medical Service Volume 2: Operations. (London, 2000), p. 104. London: Her Majesty’s Stationery Ofﬁce; 1955. 10. Coulter, Volume II: Operations, p. 511. Hunot FC. Administrative Experiences at the Royal 11. Coulter, Volume II: Operations, p. 510 Naval Hospital, Haslar, in connection with the 12. F.C. Hunot, ‘Royal Naval Hospital Haslar and Reception of Casualties (March 1942, to October, Operation OVERLORD’, Journal of the Royal 1944). J Roy Nav Med Serv Jan 1946; 32: pp. 19-32. Naval Medical Service , Vol. 80 (Summer 1994), p. Hunot FC. Royal Naval Hospital Haslar and Operation 57. OVERLORD. J Roy Nav Med Serv Summer 1994; 13. Imperial War Museum, London, Department of 80: pp. 55-61. Documents, Papers of R.A. Elliot. 94/6/1. 14. Coulter, Volume II: Operations, p. 510. Lieutenant Davey PJ. Royal Naval Association 15. Ibid. Carmarthen Branch. HMS Nith and D-Day. [Online]. 16. J.L.S. Coulter, The History of the Second World Available from: www.rna-carmarthen.org.uk/ War, The Royal Naval Medical Service, Volume I: nith_before_dday.htm [Accessed 19 April 2009}. Administration (London, 1953) p. 139. Petty Ofﬁcer Bailey B. From D-Day to VJ Day. 17. Coulter, Volume II: Operations, p. 510. Loblolly . June 1995; 17. 18. Papers of R.A. Elliot. Portsmouth City Council. Frequently Asked 19. F.C. Hunot, ‘Royal Naval Hospital Haslar and Questions for D-Day and the Battle for Normandy. Operation OVERLORD’. [Online]. Available from: 20. Papers of R.A. Elliot. www.ddaymuseum.co.uk/faq.htm#overlord 21. Ibid. [Accessed 12 April 2009]. 22. National Archives, Kew, Report on the Medical Vickers HR. Royal Naval Hospital Haslar 1940-1944. J Aspects of Operation 'Neptune' as regards Force Roy Nav Med Serv Summer 1984; 70: pp. 103-109. 'S', (1944). ADM 1/16733. Wartime Memories. The Wartime Memories Project 23. Papers of R.A. Elliot. – HMS Scylla. [Online]. Available from: 24. Ibid. www.wartimememories.co.uk/ships/scylla.html 25. Imperial War Museum, London, Department of [Accessed 20 April 2009]. Documents, Papers of Surgeon Lieutenant WW2 US Medical Research Centre. WW2 Hospital Graham Robertson Airth R.N.V.R. 05/63/1. Ships. [Online]. Available from: http://med- 26. Ibid. dept.com/hosp_ships.php [Accessed 19 April 2009]. 27. Coulter, Volume II: Operations, p. 518. 28. Ibid. References 29. Chandler (ed.), Collins Jr. (ed.). The D-Day 1. http://www.ddaymuseum.co.uk/faq.htm#overlord, Encyclopaedia, (New York, 1994), p. 356 accessed 12 April 2009. 30. Papers of Surgeon Lieutenant Graham Robertson 2. M. Harrison, Medicine and Victory (Oxford, 2004). Airth. 3. S. McGreal, The War on the Hospital Ships 1914- 31. Ibid. 1918 (Barnsley, 2008). 32. Coulter, Volume II: Operations. p. 516. 4. J.H. Plumridge, Hospital Ships and Ambulance 33. Papers of Surgeon Lieutenant Graham Robertson Trains (London, 1975). Airth. 5. J.L.S. Coulter, The History of the Second World 34. PO Bill Bailey, From D-Day to VJ Day, Loblolly , War, The Royal Naval Medical Service, Volume II: No. 17 (June 1995). Operations (London, 1955). 35. Papers of R.A. Elliot. 6. National Archives, Kew. War Planning and 36. PO Bill Bailey, From D-Day to VJ Day. Operations: Operation Overlord , (1943-1945). 37. Coulter, Volume II: Operations, p. 511. MT 40/99. 38. National Archives, Kew, Evacuation of Casualties 7. Coulter, Volume II: Operations, p. 510. over Beaches and from Small Harbours: Notes 8. W. Lord. Miracle of Dunkirk , (New York, 1982), from a Casualty Evacuation Post, Normandy , p. 242. (1944). WO 222/174. 9. W.J.R. Gardner. The Evacuation From Dunkirk: 39. National Archives, Kew, Operation Neptune: 116 J Royal Naval Medical Service 2010, Vol 96.2

Operation of Hospital Carriers , (1944). ADM 75. Ibid. 179/480. 76. Ibid. 40. J.L.S. Coulter, Volume I: Administration, p. 101. 77. F.C. Hunot, ‘Administrative Experiences at the 78. 41. Report on the Medical Aspects of Operation Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, in Connection with ‘Neptune’ as regards to Force ‘S’. the Reception of Casualties (March 1942, to 42. War Planning and Operations: Operation October, 1944)’, J Roy Nav Med Serv, Vol. 32 (Jan Overlord . 1946), p. 25. 43. Ibid. 78. National Archives, Kew, Medical Report on 44. Operation Neptune: Operation of Hospital Operation Overlord, July-Oct 1944 (1944). ADM Carriers. 179/413. 45. Report on the Medical Aspects of Operation 79. Ibid. ‘Neptune’ as regards to Force ‘S’ . 80. National Archives, Kew, Operation Overlord 46. Ibid. (March 1944). WO 199/3144. 47. Ibid. 81. F.C. Hunot, ‘Royal Naval Hospital Haslar and 48. Ibid. Operation OVERLORD’, p. 56. 49. Ibid. 82. Medical Report on Operation Overlord, July-Oct 50. Coulter, Volume II: Operations, p.512. 1944. 51. http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/ships/ 83. H.R. Vickers, ‘Royal Naval Hospital Haslar 1940- scylla.html, accessed 20 April 2009. 1944’, J Roy Nav Med Serv , Vol. 70 (Summer 52. Coulter, Volume II: Operations, p. 513. 1984) p.107. 53. Ibid. 84. Medical Report on Operation Overlord, July-Oct 54. R. L. Richards, W. Blackwood (ed.) ‘Immersion 1944. Foot’. In: Z. Cope (ed.) History of the Second 85. F. P. Ellis, ‘Blood Transfusion in the Treatment of World War, Surgery (London, 1953). p. 689. Shock in the Royal Navy’. In: Z. Cope (ed.) 55. Coulter, Volume II: Operations, p. 512. History of the Second World War, Surgery 56. http://www.wartimememories.co.uk/ (London, 1953). p.74. ships/scylla.html, accessed 20 April 2009. 86. Ibid. 57. Coulter, Volume II: Operations, p. 514. 87. Medical Report on Operation Overlord, July-Oct 58. Ibid. 1944. 59. http://www.rna-carmarthen.org.uk/nith_ 88. F.P. Ellis, ‘Blood Transfusion in the Treatment of before_dday.htm, accessed 19 April 2009. Shock in the Royal Navy’. 60. Coulter, Volume II: Operations, p. 515. 89. Medical Report on Operation Overlord, July-Oct 61. Ibid. 1944. 62. Report on the Medical Aspects of Operation 90. F.C. Hunot, ‘Administrative Experiences at the ‘Neptune’ as regards to Force ‘S’. Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, in connection with 63. Ibid. the Reception of Casualties (March 1942, to 64. Coulter, Volume II: Operations, p. 520. October 1944)’, p. 30. 65. Ibid., p. 521. 91. G. Gordon-Taylor, ‘Abdominal and Thoraco- 66. http://www.rna-carmarthen.org.uk/nith_ Abdominal Injuries ’. In: Z. Cope (ed.) ‘ History of before_dday.htm, accessed 19 April 2009. the Second World War, Surgery’ (London, 1953). 67. Coulter, Volume II: Operations, p. 522. p. 177. 68. Ibid., p. 515. 92. Medical Report on Operation Overlord, July-Oct 69. Ibid., p. 523. 1944. 70. Ibid. 93. Hunot, ‘Administrative Experiences’, p.31. 71. Ibid., p. 527. 94. Coulter, Volume I: Administration, p. 92. 72. Chandler (ed.), The D-Day Encyclopaedia, p. 358. 95. Chandler (ed.), Collins Jr. (ed.), The D-Day 73. Coulter, Volume II: Operations, p. 527. Encyclopaedia, p. 138. 74. Chandler (ed.), The D-Day Encyclopaedia, p. 358. 96. Ibid., p. 359.

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