Medical History | October | December

885th BOMB. SQN. (H) (SP) Office of the Surgeon APO 520

15 January 1945

SUBJECT: Medical History, 885th BOMBARDMENT SQDN. (H) (SP), APO 520, US Army. (Supplemental Report No. 2 for 1 October 1944 - 31 December 1944)

TO : Office of the Surgeon, AAF50/MTC, APO 520, US Army.

Medical History of this unit covering period from 1 October 1944 to 31 December 1944 inclusive.
Narrative Historical Account for Period Covered. On 1 October 1944 the squadron departed for Brindisi, Italy from Maison Blanche, Algeria using C-47 type aircraft. The air echelon was supplemented by C-47 type aircraft. The ground echelon left by train and motor transport for Oran, Algeria where they remained until 17 October 1944 when they boarded the Empire Pride arriving in Naples, Italy, 20 October 1944. On 20 October 1944 they departed from Naples, Italy and arrived in Brindisi, Italy by motor transport 21 October 1944. During the move the section was separated allowing three Enlisted Men to with the ground echelon carrying first aid equipment and other heavy equipment while the Flight Surgeon and two Enlisted Men arrived by air carrying enough equipment to take care of the squadron until the ground echelon arrived with the bulk of the supplies and records. The first few days at the new location were spent in temporary quarters awaiting the departure of the 60th Troop Carrier Group and small facilities became available for use. The period from 20 October to 31 October the group moved over the next ten days period and we gradually moved into their former mess and quarters. This was a very difficult time because we were carrying on operations, trying to set up in a new area without adequate transportation, without adequate personnel and practically no equipment inasmuch as only the Air Bombardment crew equipment and the cooking, mess equipment and the housekeeping personnel on very little could be accomplished toward setting up and providing sanitary facilities. The squadron dispensary was established in a permanent stone building and the men of the section installed running water from disposable aircraft belly tanks, lights were installed, a sink put in, a stove built and installed and a pro station set up at once. Sanitation was a difficult problem throughout this three month period mainly because of the poor condition in which the area was left by the preceding organization, the season of the year, and also the location of the camp on ground near the sea and nearly at sea level. This is responsible for a drainage problem which is not yet solved satisfactorily. The 877th Engineers arrived on the base in mid December to operate camp and also help with drainage. Lt. Colonel Fraser of the Fifteenth Air Force Headquarters made an administrative inspection of the squadron on 4 November 1944 making notations on aspects of the medical section. A very thorough inspection of all aspects of the squadron was made between 4 and 7 December 1944 by a team directed by Colonel Garis H. Johnson of Headquarters, Fifteenth Air Force. The medical member of the team was Major Manchester, Surgeon's Office, Headquarters, Fifteenth Air Force. There was no base sanitary order at the time of inspection. Changes had been made in the records dealing with combat whiskey and narcotics. A base sanitary order was written, the combat whiskey was turned over to the Commanding Officer and redesignated to another to another officer other than the surgeon. and the errors in the narcotic records were rectified in later practice. The medical inspector expressed the belief in his report that the medical section of the squadron was understaffed and recommended that the T/O be brought up to strength in order that facilities for adjustment and equipment be provided for quarters change over of patients in the unit. During this three month period two of the Enlisted Men of the section were not available for duty part of the time. One Sergeant after having been given a primary court martial and his sentence involving his working with another Enlisted Man from another combat crew, departed in mid December for the Zone of the Interior(ZI) for a thirty day furlough which may mean up to four months absence from the organization. Papers were pending on a Section VIII for Pvt. Robert E. Swinney T/5 the night shift because of a mental condition. One of the three months has had two Enlisted Men on ambulance duty three hours every second night, having a charge of quarters room in the dispensary, each night for first aid and giving prophylactics, an ambulance driver on duty during the day, a clerk on duty during the day as well as an orderly for the dispensary during the day. The men all rotate for these duties. Three of the four Enlisted Men had reached eligibility for a thirty day furlough to the Zone of the Interior (ZI) as it was felt desirable to give one Enlisted Man a thirty day furlough despite being short-handed.

On 19 November the squadron was joined by the 859th BOMB. SQDN. (H) (SP). Anticipating the two squadrons being designated as a provisional group, arrangements were made with the Surgeon's Office Fifteenth Service Command to list equipment needed to set up modified group dispensary so that once the group is formed work can be started without delay. As of 31 December 1944 no order had come as yet.

Administrative History.

Authorization has been changed to T/O 1-117, dated 21 July 1944 less columns 13,13,14; MTOUSA, letter dated 7 October 1944. The T/O calls for four personnel.

[TABLE SHOWING T/O PERSONNEL BREAKDOWN WITH COLUMNS FOR NUMBER, ASSIGNMENT, CLASSIFICATION] 'T/C' : Number : Assignment : Classification Capt. : 1 : General Duty : 3100 S/Sgt. : 1 : Med Adm Spec. : 673 Cpl. : 1 : Med Corps Man : 657 Pvt. : 1 : Med Corps Man : 657

There are one officer, Captain, and five enlisted men in the section. The Enlisted Men are a S/Sgt., two Sgts., one Cpl., and a Pvt. Sgt. William A. Fischer ASN 36352538 was placed on DS to a Personnel Center while on thirty day furlough to the ZI(USO) and is not expected to return. Pvt. Robert E. Swinney, ASN 31056409 while on permanent detail is temporarily awaiting the decision of a Section VIII Board.

No special citations were received by this section but the unit as a whole received the Distinguished Unit Citation for period 15 November 1943 to 1 December 1944 for a mission from England to Bordeaux, France. The unit also received the Battle Star for Southern France Campaign, 15 August 1944 to 14 September 1944, officially posted 15 October 1944.

Environmental History.

Drainage has been the principal environmental sanitation problem and it has in turn engendered several other problems. It has made the construction and maintenance of latrines difficult in this wet winter season, made liquid waste water disposal very hard to accomplish, caused urine seepage pits to fill up and overflow quickly and has made police a big chore with the constant sticky mud all over. The use of Italians civilian labor in the messes and as laborers has created numerous problems due to these people's poverty, uncleanliness, unsanitary condition of their clothing and general disregard for the latrines provided for them. It has also required constant supervision to keep Italian civilians from wandering, begging, stealing and pondering over the area. Venereal disease among the civilian population nearby is very widespread and prostitutes as well as clandestines operate in large numbers near and around the base in spite of all efforts to eliminate this source of human suffering as well as gonorrhea has been too prevalent in the command. The venereal rate for December in the squadron was 175 per 1000 per annum. The command has steps to provide essential for prophylactic facilities by constructing a good indoor theater, a day room with a bar, sponsors dances in the Free Forces Institute and provides transportation to the nearby Red Cross and British Red Cross Club. The medical section has been doing its part since the first day in this location by maintaining a prophylactic station in the dispensary with material obtainable to the troops twenty-four hours a day, giving two weekly VD talks, posting up posters, obtaining motion pictures dealing with the problem and seeing that they were shown on two occasions.

Operational History.

By verbal agreement with the Commanding Officer and Detachment Commanders the following named units were cared for during the period:

885th BOMBARDMENT SQDN. (H) (SP). Detachment 62nd Service Group. 2572nd Engineers Aviation Utilities Detachment. Co B, Station 13, 2677th GS (PROV).

This section also conducted sick call for the 859th Bomb. Sqdn. (P) until their medical officer and Enlisted Men arrived and while they were awaiting their initial issue of supplies from this Theater of Operations. As this unit is an assembly of four squadrons there is no such title of Group or 1st Air Assembly Squadron for its services. As this station dispensary is centrally located it has more of base dispensary functions. The section makes regular hospital runs, pulls ambulance duty, dental runs, sick calls for unit and units without medical personnel, maintain prophylaxis station, sanitary inspection, physical examination, issue blankets, toilet articles, and soap to cooks and K.P.'s, civilians employed by squadron. The night sick calls are from an afternoon sick call is held for combat personnel. Lectures have been given on venereal diseases, personal hygiene and each new combat crew receives a lecture on first aid in aircraft. Lectures to combat personnel also include night vision and oxygen peroxide. All combat crews to familiarize themselves with the use of oxygen equipment, anoxia and regulations relating to the use of oxygen. Squadron operations have been continuing as described in initial report except that recently altitude has been flown.

Venereal disease has been a problem here and efforts made to control it have been mentioned in the environmental history account.

Two cases of frostbite incurred in other organizations and the two Enlisted Men were on Detached Service to this unit were referred to the Medical Station of the Fifteenth Air Force which in turn sent them to the Zone of the Interior (ZI). Since change of station, Fifteenth Air Force policy has been changed so that this squadron now is known only as a Transport Unit. Classified by the Medical Disposition Board as unfit for duty and personnel affected. During the past three months we have had three mild cases of frostbite and one was appointed during this period but medical equipment officer who has ment. Four men with bronchitis of various types was appointed during this period as medical supplies allocation for personal equip reported to this unit and treated with penicillin under the direction of Major Howell. It is too early to evaluate penicillin. The suggestion has been made that war food be carried on long range missions but this was not favorably received and no regular provisions for it are made.

Statistical Data of Historical Interest. The venereal disease rate for October 1944 was 41 per 1000 per annum, for November 1944, 0 per 1000 per annum and for December 1944, 175 per 1000 per annum.
Special Items of Historical Value. None with this report.
Duration of Major Developments in this Unit in 1944. This unit was activated 10 April 1944 in Blida, Algeria. Its initial historical report was submitted in August 1944. During April, May and June a large proportion of the flying personnel attached to or in TDY status to a free city of Fifteenth Air Force Medical Disposition Board because of physical disabilities which contraindicated high altitude flying. Night vision tests were conducted during this period on all flying personnel and no conclusions were drawn in relation to any factors affecting the night vision. Flying conditions and opportunities for recreation were excellent during this period. Venereal disease rates were not excessive and morale was generally good. No personnel were wounded or injured during this period. The only loss was one aircraft which struck a mountain side while searching for a lost British aircraft. During the next three month period the squadron moved from Blida, Algeria to Maison Blanche, Algeria on 25 August 1944. A change was made during this period in the type of combat personnel in that the air crews from the Medical Disposition Board were no longer assigned but combat crews, placed on restricted flying orders. Various Bombardment Groups in the Fifteenth Air Force were Patients requiring quarters were taken care of by personnel of the Air Transport Command which maintained a quarters dispensary. In unit medical hospitalization and the hospital. No American Hospitals were left in the area and all patients requiring hospitalization were sent to the British Army Hospitals in the vicinity. The British Hospitals were very cooperative and gave our patients excellent care. Just prior to the end of that three month interval word was received that we were to move, so practically daily and night combat crews departed for this new location. Before the remainder of the organization departed from Africa it was necessary to immunize all personnel of the organization for a presumed outbreak of several cases of bubonic plague in the Algeria area. Final immunization was given to the ground echelon at Oran, Algeria and to the flight echelon at Brindisi, Italy.

During the remainder of 1944 no personnel were wounded in action. A few aircraft have failed to return from missions and their fate has generally been undetermined. Venereal disease in the month of December was excessive and hepatitis, scabies, infections was quite a big factor in time lost during the last period of 1944, accounting for more time lost than any other condition.

WILLIAM F. WEEKS WILLIAM F. WEEKS Captain, M.C. Flight Surgeon

Medical History October-December 1944

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