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OFFICE OF THE AIR SURGEON 18th AIR DEPOT GROUP APO 520
AFAD No. 85, 10 November 1944.
MEDICAL HISTORY (30 June 1944 to 30 September 1944)
The original mission of the 16th Air Depot Group, as a unit, has consisted of many different squadron medical sections since the activation of this group at Patterson Field in January 1942.
The original T/O & E, 1-687, dated 1 July 1942, allowed thirty-two (32) EM and five (5) officers. Since that time the strength has varied according to the medical situation, adding and dropping squadron medical sections as the service command saw fit.
When the Unit arrived in Alaska on 3 September 1942, there were twenty-four (24) EM and four (4) officers giving medical support to headquarters and quarters at the post. On arrival, approximately five hundred (500) men from the 16th Air Depot Repair Squadrons, with eight (8) EM and one (1) officer was already overseas in Iran.
The 16th Air Depot Group was assigned to operation of sub-depot No. 21 at Adak, the airport just outside of Alaaska. The Supply squadron, with eight (8) medical EM and one (1) medical officer, was then assigned to a station in Algeria. This left only the headquarters squadron of the original 16th Air Depot Group, with sixteen (16) medical EM and five (5) medical officers. The sub-depot strength was approximately eight hundred-fifteen (815) men with nineteen (19) medical EM and four (4) medical officers to the group medical unit, and then there was adequate medical personnel.
Consolidated Weekly Statistical Health Reports were submitted from sub-depot No. 21 thru channels to the 11th Air Force. Duplicate copies of all statistical reports for Sub-Depot No. 21 were turned over by this officer to the Medical Section of the 1st Aircraft Assembly Squadron 1 February 1944 when that squadron assumed administration operation of the depot. Necessary statistical historical material for the AAF records were presumably sent.
Evacuation of casualties was no problem while the unit was located in Africa as there were many hospitals located in the surrounding area. Medical supplies were obtained from the 17th Medical Section at Tunis regularly with no difficulties. Adequacies of the supplies maintained at this station was very satisfactory.
Morale was very good during the period & that at Bizerte there were numerous recreation facilities, such as Red Cross Club, beautiful beach Officers Club, and other athletic facilities found in Africa common to North African. An active sports program, highlighting a very successful basketball league, (operated without the benefit of foot gear) helped to boost the morale.
On 4 February 1944 the 16th Air Depot Group moved to Italy and began operation of an A.F.H.Q. at Foggia Main Airport. A group dispensary and three (3) squadron dispensaries were established throughout the base.
These were operated by the 16th Headquarters Squadron, 31st Depot Supply Squadron, 316th Depot Repair Squadron and the 84th Depot Repair Squadron. An enormous job confronted the medical department of the Foggia Main Airfield. Terrific bombing by the Allied Air Forces prior to the 16th Air Depot Group's arrival had reduced the buildings on the field to a shambles. The roofs had been destroyed on all of the buildings, sewers and water mains were bombed out and there was great need for the surface drainage of the area. The chief concern of the Medical Department was the sanitary condition of the base. Several hundred Italian civilians were hired to do the rehabilitation project. One of their jobs was to clean out a solid layer of defecation from the air raid shelters. The Italian civilians working on projects around the base were not "house broke" and would scatter as much fecal as they cleaned out. Finally it became necessary to assign a sanitary crew of thirty (30) Italians with a Medical EM supervisor for every five (5) Italians. By the middle of April the base was in a presentable and satisfactory sanitary condition. The water supply was being chlorinated by the Medical Department and an Engineer Utility Detachment assigned to this base, began reconstruction of permanent sewerage system and surface drainage.
On 1 March 1944 the 67th Depot Repair Squadron arrived at this base and established a unit dispensary , this made five (5) separate dispensaries operating on this base and the reports were consolidated at the Group Surgeon's Office. Since these organizations were bivouaced within a radius of two and one-half (2½) miles, the idea of consolidating all unit dispensaries into one (1) base dispensary was suggested during the first week in April, however, no action was taken at this time.
During the months of April, May and June the Medical Sections with thirty-three (33) EM and seven (7) officers were busy with enteric disease control and malaria prophylaxis.
a. Date of activation, place of activation, authority for original T/O & E for operation and unit transfers.
(1) On the 1 July 1944 the Medical Department of the 16th Air Depot Group was comprised of the following medical sections:
Unit Date of Act. Place of Act. Orig T/O & E From T/O to Off. EM. New T/O & E Hq Sq, 16th 1-12-42 Patt. Fld. Ohio 1-87 1-682 3 19
316th DRS 4-21-43 Hill Field, 1 July 42 20 Jan. 44 3 19 Utah. 1-687 1-687
67th DRS 3-15-43 Kelly Field, 1 July 42 10 Dec. 43 1 3 Texas. 1-687 1-687
84th DRS 3-15-43 Kelly Field, 1 July 42 10 Dec. 43 1 3 Texas. 1-687 1-687
31st DSS 1-21-42 Hill Field, 1-688 1-688 1 3 Utah. 1 July 42 20 Nov. 43
(2) The change in the T/O & E from 1-687 dated 1 July 1942 to T/O & E 1-682 dated 20 January 1944 eliminated the Headquarters Squadron Surgeon, who was relieved from assignment thereto and was assigned to the 16th Medical Dispensary, 15 March 1944. The rank of Medical Administrative Officer was reduced from Captain to 1st Lieutenant in the new table of organization, and the following changes were made in the ranks of the enlisted personnel:
T/O & E T/O & E 1-687 1-682
Allotted - 1 S/Sgt. Allotted - 1 T/Sgt. 2 Sgt. 2 Sgt. 3 Cpl. 6 Cpl. 8 Pvt. 7 Pvt.
(3) There were several important changes in the T/E 1-682. Among here some of the more important changes was the addition of a twelve (12) cubic foot kerosene refrigerator, authorization for an autoclave and the addition of two (2) squadron aid station equipments to group aid station equipment authorized group headquarters. The new T/O & E for the repair squadron and supply squadron does not authorize a squadron aid station equipment or the squadron aid station equipments to be maintained under one roof, utilizing the group aid station equipment. The two (2) squadron aid station equipments authorized headquarters squadron are available for issue on Memorandum Receipt to any squadron of the group if necessary. There are some instances that a squadron becomes isolated from the group making it essential that they operate their own medical echelon. During the last week of August 1944 all unit dispensaries operating independently were closed and a consolidated base dispensary began operation. At that time the Medical Department was housing itself in four (4) large screened tents with adjoining passageways. Plans were being considered for remodeling the entire building which will be more thoroughly discussed in paragraph 3 of environmental history.
(b) The personnel matters for the medical section as recorded from 1 July 1944 to 30 September 1944 are submitted as follows:
Organization Source
Hq Sq, 16th AD Gp Patterson Field, Ohio. 316th Dep Rep Sq. Hill Field, Utah. 84th Dep Rep Sq. Kelly Field, Texas. 67th Dep Rep Sq. Kelly Field, Texas. 31st Dep Sup Sq. Hill Field, Utah.
Quarterly Roster of Personnel: 30 September 1944.
MAJORS: Fremont, Andrew R. 16th Hq Sq. ASN 0-338783 Group Surgeon
CAPTAINS: Brown, Homer H. 31st Sup Sq. ASN 0-1701745 Squadron Surgeon Druck, Harry (NMI) 16th Hq Sq. ASN 0-420104 Dep Dental Surgeon Bledsoe, Bryson H. 84th Rep Sq. ASN 0-896801 Squadron Surgeon Mannies, Nicholas D. 67th Rep Sq. ASN 0-1261303 Squadron Surgeon
1st LIEUTENANTS: Holser, Charles E. 16th Hqs Sq. ASN 0-1542772 Grp Med Adm Officer
TECHNICAL SERGEANTS: Kerby, James O. 16th Hqs Sq. SGT 33039992 Chief Clerk
STAFF SERGEANTS: Cunningham, James L. 316th Rep Sq. SGT 35010215 Med NCO in Charge DeBoe, Louis G. 67th Rep Sq. SGT 33268139 Med NCO in Charge Hickey, Fredric J. 31st Sup Sq. SGT 33162323 Med NCO in Charge Wisnoskie, Daniel J. 84th Rep Sq. SGT 35042816 Med NCO in Charge
SERGEANTS: Brooks, Lawrence J. 16th Hqs Sq. SGT 33430019 Clerk
CORPORALS: Adams, Thomas J. 16th Hqs Sq. SGT 33854142 Medical Supplies Donowell, Kenneth J. 16th Hqs Sq. SGT 33030982 Clerk Falcone, Lawrence (NMI) 16th Hqs Sq. SGT 33446421 Sanit. Technician Parnell, Stanley H. 84th Rep Sq. SGT 14739491 Medical Technician Harris, Samuel J. 16th Hqs Sq. SGT 33377458 Surgical Technician Gueterman, George W. 16th Hqs Sq. ASN 33303450 Dental Technician Kennedy, Willard J. 31st Sup Sq. SGT 37141424 Sanit. Technician Keene, Bryson (NMI) 16th Hqs Sq. SGT 33376454 Dental Technician Paris, Hugh G. 16th Hqs Sq. SGT 34130418 Medical Technician
PRIVATES FIRST CLASS: Bentley, Floyd C. 316th Rep Sq. SST 39555332 Chauffer Berg, Mathew H. 16th Hqs Sq. SGT 34731369 Chauffer Brennwald, James H. 16th Hqs Sq. SST 35950369 Pro-Station Baumgardner, David W. 16th Hqs Sq. SGT 34435838 Medical Technician Cherniak, John (NMI) 16th Hqs Sq. SGT 33378380 Construction Grimes, Leoir A. 31st Sup Sq. SGT 36185549 Chauffer Hill, Thomas L. 31st Sup Sq. SGT 36185484 Chauffer McNairy, Oscar H. 16th Hqs Sq. SGT 33376764 Medical Technician
PRIVATES: Gray, Jake A. 67th Rep Sq. SGT 33568346 Chauffer
Hardy, Edward (NMI) 84th Rep Sq. ASN 15151904 Chauffer
Thomas, Oscar 16th Hqs Sq. SGT 33305345 General Duty
REMARKS:
CPL. HARVEY D. COAN, 37342359, transferred to Hq. 85th Service Group per SO # 234, Hq. XV AFSC, dated 27 August 1944.
T/SGT. JAMES H. KERBY, 33039992, promoted to Technical Sergeant, per SO # 134, Hq. 16th AD Gp, dated 28 September 1944.
PVT. OSCAR W. HOLGATE, 33379740, promoted to Private First Class, per SO # 132, Hq. 16th AD Gp, dated 26 September 1944.
CPL. JAMES H. GRIMM, 14439948, transferred to Hq. 87th Service Group, per SO
PVT. LEL. DONALD (NMI) RUNN, 15151904, Med Sec 84th Depot Repair Squadron, 16th AD Gp, is reduced in grade to Private, per SO # 123, Hq. 16th AD Gp, dated 11 September 1944.
CAPT. MAX POTASHNICK, 0-521300, attached Hq & Hq Sq, 16th ADG, from 1st Ordnance Depot Regiment, per SO # 211, Hq. XV AFSC, dated 30 July 1944.
T/4 KALMAN KAPLAN, 33213418, per SO # 211, Hq. XV AFSC, dated 30 July 1944, attached Hq & Hq Sq, 16th AD Gp from 229th Medical Dispensary Aviation.
CPL. MILTON SHAPIRO, 12111326, attached Hq & Hq Sq, 16th ADG, from 102nd Medical Dispensary Aviation, per SO # 211, Hq. XV AFSC, dated 30 July 1944.
3. Two (2)civilian personnel orderlies have been employed for
the past six (6) months for the purpose of cleaning and policing the building and the area around the building. The man power conservation resulting thereby is insignificant.
4. There have been no special citations or awards for the Medical Department personnel during the period. There have been no promotion
problems.
g. Temporary and permanent stations.
(1) The 16th Air Depot Group has remained at A.F.H.Q. No. 53,
Foggia Main Airport, Foggia, Italy since February 1944,
and is still at this station at the date this report is
submitted.
(2) There were no campaign or battle awards made during the
period. All organizations have received the campaign star for the Peninsular Campaign awarded 27 May 1944.
(3) No important events have occured during the period.
f. Functional activities and conduct of Medical Department
affairs.
(1) Basic duties and responsibilities of the 16th Air Depot Group are to administer to the medical needs of the
command, supervise sanitation of the area, conduct an educational program in military preventive medicine. There have no major administrative problems. Memorandums, bulletins, circulars and circular letters as issued from higher headquarters are sufficient to administrate basic functions of the section.
(2) The following is a list of organizations without medical
personnel that have been attached to this organization
for medical treatment:
Unit Strength Duties
469th Ord Platoon 22 Issue of EM
67th Sig Co Dep Avn. 162 Maintain Communications.
1575th QM Co Dep Avn. 46 Transportation of Supplies.
1299th QM Trk Co Avn. 54 Transportation of Supplies.
2457th QM Trk Co Avn. 95 Transportation of Supplies.
14th Medical Supply Platoon. 25 Operate Med Supply Depot.
2303th Engr Util Det. 55 Installation & Maintenance
of Heavy Equipment.
g. All medical sections comprising the group section have received the required amount of basic and technical training necessary to
qualify for overseas service prior to departure from the Continental United States.
h. A six (6) week refresher course for all medical personnel is being planned for the month of November.
(2) Venereal disease control has become a problem during recent months, and the Venereal Disease Control Officer has conducted an extensive program to attempt to control the rapid rise in venereal cases among military personnel of this organization. Film strips on Venereal Disease Control and the United States Army treatment technicolor film on syphilis were shown to all personnel during the past two (2) months. The Medical Section operates on a twenty-four (24) hour basis a U.S. Army Prophylaxis station just inside the main gate of the base, under supervision of the Venereal Disease Control Officer, and in accordance with all existing regulations from higher headquarters on the operation of a prophylaxis station. Command has made condoms available to all in accordance with Circular Letter No. 23, MTOUSA, Office of the Surgeon, dated 7 June 1944.
(3) The Medical Section of the 16th Air Depot Group continues their service and evacuation of battle casualties of aircraft returning to this base. The Blood Bank specially equiped ambulances, as reported in Medical History of the last period on page seven (7), are detailed each day to meet the planes at estimated time of arrival given to the Medical Section by Group Operations. Two (2) blood teams composed of two (2) medical officers and one (1) medical technician and one (1) surgical technician are detailed to meet the planes on the line during the estimated time of arrival. Following is a summary of the cases evacuated during the period as reported in the Battle Casualty Evacuation Log as maintained by the Surgeon's Office of this organization:
Wounds:
Flak Wound Alive Dead
Arm (R) . . . . 8 . . . 0 Arm (L) . . . . 5 . . . 0
Leg (R) . . . . 9 . . . 3 Leg (L) . . . . 15 . . . 0
Head . . . . 10 . . . 3
Chest (R). . . . 4 . . . 4 Chest (L). . . . 3 . . . 1
Thigh (R). . . . 8 . . . 0 Thigh (L). . . . 3 . . . 0
Total Flak Wounds . . 75
Bullet Wounds Alive Dead
Arm (R) . . . . . 3 . . . 0 Arm (L) . . . . . 1 . . . 0
Leg (R) . . . . . 4 . . . 0 Leg (L) . . . . . 3 . . . 0
Chest (R). . . . . 2 . . . 0
Head . . . . . 3 . . . 0
Thigh . . . . . 1 . . . 0
Back . . . . . 1 . . 0
Total Bullet Wounds . . 18
Crash Injury Alive Dead
Leg (R). . . . . 2 . . 0 Leg (L). . . . . 3 . . 0
Arm (L). . . . . 1 . . 0 Arm (R). . . . . 1 . . 0
Abdomen . . . . 1 . . 0
Head . . . . . . 3 . . 0
Total Crash Injury . . 11
Exposure: Alive Dead
Forced down at sea . . 33 1
Frost bite rt foot . . 1 0
Total exposures.. ........ 34
Alive Dead Total
Grand Totals .... 127 12 139
d. Aviation Medicine. There is insufficient material available in addition to that already reported in the Care of Flier Reports and Reports of Aircraft Accident, to warrant discussion in the history of this period.
e. Dental Activities.
(1) During this period a dental laboratory has been established under the direction of a Captain and operated by four (4) enlisted men. This laboratory is turning out on the average of sixty (60) completed cases per month among the tactical and service organizations in the Foggia Area. Two (3) of the men working in the dental laboratory can be considered as production difficulties:
Overseas Recom. and to be promoted
------- -----------------------
Sgt. Kalman Kaplan 27 months T/Sgt. Cpl. Milton Shapiro 8 months Sgt. (in grade 15 months)
(2) A complete dental survey was made of troops in this Command during the period, with very satisfactory results. There has been no change in conditions reported in the previous period.
f. Veterinary Activities. There are no veterinary personnel assigned to this base.
GROUP I - (a)
[ multiple unreadable pages ]
(3) One of the hangars on the base is being winterized and remodeled into a modern gymnasium with a large basketball court, badminton court, boxing ring, and squash courts.
(4) The "Liberty Theater" (pictures submitted last report) continues to show first-run motion pictures and fea- tures and entertaining stage shows at least once a week.
(5) Unit recreational activity during the past three (3) months has been well planned and developed. Many organ- izations of an athletic nature have been formed. Barracks complete with bar and game room. Almost every week one of these clubs features a rousing party with special entertain- ment.
For the SURGEON:
[Signature appears to be present but not clearly legible] CHARLES J. RUZEK, 1st Lt., M.C. Group Med Adm Officer.
MEDICAL SUPPLY HISTORY
14TH MEDICAL SUPPLY PLATOON (AVN) 18TH AIR DEPOT GROUP APO 520 APP No 53. 15 November 1944.
Medical History of 14th Medical Supply Platoon (Avn) Supplemental Report No. 1 for 1 July 1944 - 30 September 1944.
Special Order # 170, Headquarters, II Air Service Command, dated 11 September 1943, assigned the organization to the 41st Air Depot Group.
The Unit staged at Sidi Ahmed Airport, just outside of Bizerte, until 15 October 1943, at which time one (1) Officer and seventeen (17) enlisted men were transported via air to Bari, Italy. Remaining enlisted men and Officer were to requisition and send, via air, heavy tons of medical supplies which were to become the nucleus of the medical supply depot to be set up. On 20 November 1943, a sizeable transfer of medical supplies, the remaining enlisted men and one officer departed by military aircraft to re-join the parent unit. Authority for these movements was, Letter, Headquarters, Twelfth Air Force, Subject: "Movement of Units" dated 1 November 1943.
After setting up a medical depot at Air Force General Depot #5 in Bari, and operating for approximately three weeks, the organization was moved to the permanent site at Foggia, Italy, in order to provide medical supply service for the great number of Air Force personnel stationed in that area.
II. Historical account for period 1 July 1944 to 30 September 1944, inclusive.
a. Administration. Complete cooperation with all higher headquarters in matters of administration and supply resulted for the operation of the medical supply depot was at all times during this period. Relations with higher headquarters has also been satisfactory. Frequent inspections by officers representing Fifteenth Air Force Service Command have improved depot procedure through various suggestions and corrections.
b. Problems in personnel. Similar units in the ground forces servicing no more troops than serviced by this unit have a much larger T/O, higher ratings, and more equipment. Medical Supply Platoons, when originally assigned to the Air Forces, were never intended to serve as general medical depot. Therefore, due to the excessive number of troops supplied, medical supply platoons should be provided with a T/O and equipment to similar ground force units.
Since the majority of the personnel in this unit have been overseas approximately fifteen (15) months, none are eligible for rotation.
Personnel furnished medical supply platoons should be fully trained and indoctrinated in the duties peculiar to medical supply work. Replacements sent to this unit for personnel transferred to activate new medical supply platoons were not trained in medical supply duties. Two men were reclassified at the port of debarkation to specification numbers which were then in demand. Unit could not operate at full efficiency until these men had been retrained and acquainted with a new function.
Morale and efficiency of personnel has been greatly improved during recent months since three day leaves or passes to visit Rome rest camp area were made available.
c. Fiscal and Supply activities.
Requisitions by this unit on the main medical depot have been filled consistent with available stocks. Requisitions have been filled approximately 85% on an average. Recent large shipments of supplies from the states relieved many previous critical shortages.
Heavy supply traffic in all classes necessitated the construction of additional shelving; extensions were made to existing shelving of uncured pine lumber on hand. Great difficulty was experienced in obtaining lumber for suitable shelving, all new lumber had been frozen for crating GFE equipment, and it was necessary to employ rough used lumber. Present shelving will permit the carrying of a fifteen day stock level of the majority of all medical supply items on the shelves.
This depot has recent difficulties in maintaining a stock of Sulfadiazine Ointment, Ethyl Salicylate, Neosynephrine Hydrochloride Solution (1%), and Hexamine Chloride Ointment, due to the limited amounts available at the Adriatic Base Depot Group. During the winter months, it has been difficult to maintain a stock of Tartar Emetic, and PL IX Glycyrrhiza; these basic medicinals are necessary for the preparation of cough syrups.
Many comments have been received concerning the pain and irritation resulting from the use of the BAL kit on the prophylactic kits. It is anticipated that future receipts of the new type chemical prophylactic kit will correct these complaints.
Instrument sterilizers provided as standard equipment in medical chests have been declared unsatisfactory by many units due to the fact that they were too small. Also, many complaints were made that this sterilizer was unserviceable because the material would corrode or rust each time it is used.
It is recommended that some type of prefabricated steel locker be provided as part of the equipment of a medical supply platoon for the storage of narcotics. It is not always possible for such units to be located in buildings where suitable vaults or lockers may be constructed.
d. Transportation.
This unit has adequate transportation facilities available.
III. Administrative History.
a. Personnel roster as of 1 July 1944:
Rank Name Service ASN Duty 1st Lt HAMMELE, KARL T. AUS 0-1534277 Commanding Officer 2nd Lt HUFFMAN, WILLIAM E. AUS 0-1564448 Supply Officer
Rank Name Service ASN Duty S/Sgt Gurgaki, Frank J. SGT 36199226 502 S/Sgt Stone, William A. SGT 33294093 502 Tec 4 Koski, Carl E. SGT 37055874 657 Tec 4 Baldensperger, Frank J. SGT 35903443 557 Tec 4 Brandt, Henry J. SGT 32676680 835 Cpl Borzelli, Arthur V. SGT 32763605 657 Tec 5 Landars, Billy W. SGT 38420076 657 Tec 5 Maynard, Joe H. SGT 34550127 657 Tec 5 Shipley, Tom E. SGT 14156129 657 PFC Carr, Henry F. SGT 36553039 345 PFC Charles, Ralph L. SGT 2176883 859 PFC Peck, William (NMI) SGT 33303577 590 PFC Trakowski, Chester P. SGT 31257907 657 PFC Mahins, Gerald A. SGT 35467157 835 PFC Tucker, Walter F. SGT 35749900 657 PFC Yee, Kuey (NMI) SGT 38517704 345 Pvt Christie, Charles W. SGT 39615137 345 Pvt Hebert, Armand J. Jr. SGT 38375953 590 Pvt Hersey, George B. SGT 34088095 590 Pvt Reilly, Thomas F. SGT 32556015 055
b. Personnel roster as of 30 September 1944:
1st Lt HAMMELE, KARL T. AUS 0-1534277 Commanding Officer 2nd Lt HUFFMAN, WILLIAM E. AUS 0-1564448 Supply Officer
S/Sgt Gurgaki, Frank J. SGT 36199226 701 S/Sgt Stone, William A. SGT 33294093 502 S/Sgt Koski, Carl E. SGT 37055874 405 Tec 4 Baldensperger, Frank J. SGT 35903443 835 Tec 4 Brandt, Henry J. SGT 32676680 835 Cpl Borzelli, Arthur V. SGT 32763605 055 Tec 5 Landars, Billy W. SGT 38420076 060 Tec 5 Maynard, Joe H. SGT 34550127 590 Tec 5 Shipley, Tom E. SGT 14156129 835 PFC Carr, Henry F. SGT 36553039 345 PFC Charles, Ralph L. SGT 2176883 859 PFC Peck, William (NMI) SGT 33303577 835 PFC Trakowski, Chester P. SGT 31257907 835 PFC Mahins, Gerald A. SGT 35467157 835 PFC Tucker, Walter F. SGT 35749900 055 PFC Yee, Kuey (NMI) SGT 38517704 060 Pvt Christie, Charles W. SGT 39615137 345 Pvt Hebert, Armand J. Jr. SGT 38375953 590 Pvt Hersey, George B. SGT 34088095 590 Pvt Reilly, Thomas F. SGT 32556015 835
c. Special Order # 199, Headquarters, XV Air Force Service Command, dated 18 July 1944 relieved the unit from assignment to the 41st Air Depot Group, and reassigned it to the 18th Air Depot Group.
IV. Environmental History.
a. Special Services. From a special services standpoint, this unit has been well supplied with recreational and entertainment facilities. The unit has a day room, with magazines, books, card games, and other equipment available through Special Services. The unit has access to two theatres operated by the American Red Cross. Morale would be greatly improved if the unit were able to obtain a radio.
V. Operational History.
Under the provisions of Memorandum No. 65-64, Headquarters, XV Air Force Service Command, dated 10 September 1944, this depot was designated as the receiving, classifying, central storage and issue depot for the items of medical supply peculiar to the Air Forces. These items include: Kit, First-Aid, Aeronautic; Kit, First-Aid, Jungle; Kit, First-Aid, Arctic; Kit, First-Aid, For Automatic Life Raft; Kit, First-Aid, Parachute, Type B-4; Pocket, First-Aid, Parachute; Chest, Ambulance, Aeroplanes. This designation required the procurement of additional warehouse space for the proper storage of these items.
VI. Statistical Data of Historical Interest. (Medical Supply).
Average number of Medical requisitions filled per Mo. 517 Average number of items per requisition 41 Average number of units supplied medical items & sent 296 Approximate number of troops supplied medical supplies 65,000 [Approximate area supplied medical supplies is within a radius of 35 miles of Foggia.] Average total different items issued each month 1,431 Average tonnage of medical supplies and equipment
issued each month 55 Average number of prescriptions filled each month 674 Average number of spectacles repaired by or procured from the optical depot each month 8 Critical shortages of medical supplies for month: Calcium Mandelate,0.5 GM, 24 pr tab Ephedrine Sulfate, UNP, 3.024 GM, 3/8 gr tab Ferrous Sulfate, USP, 5 gr tab. Neosynephrin Hydrochloride Solution, UNP,1%
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