Battlefield Medical Facilities
Echelon 1
Aid Stations
Aid stations were located about 300 to 500 yards behind the front lines. If soldiers were injured they would be transported to the aid stations by walking, litter bearers, or ambulances. Most of the time soldiers were transported by littler bearers. Litter bearers were men who ran to the battle field to retrieve wounded soldiers and bring them back to safety in the aid station. Litter bearers were often called the “backbone" of the aid station because of the countless times that they risked their lives by going into
enemy fire.
Aid Stations
Aid stations were located about 300 to 500 yards behind the front lines. If soldiers were injured they would be transported to the aid stations by walking, litter bearers, or ambulances. Most of the time soldiers were transported by littler bearers. Litter bearers were men who ran to the battle field to retrieve wounded soldiers and bring them back to safety in the aid station. Litter bearers were often called the “backbone" of the aid station because of the countless times that they risked their lives by going into
enemy fire.
Echelon 2
Clearing Stations
Clearing stations mostly examined field dressings, and administered I.V. Morphine and plasma transfusions. This station always had a major supply of whole blood. Medical personnel at the clearing station sent less-serious cases to evacuation hospitals and more serious cases to field hospitals. The officers at this station were part of a medical battalion commanded by a lieutenant colonel who was usually a surgeon. Medical battalions provided the main medical
treatment to wounded soldiers in the clearing stations.
Clearing Stations
Clearing stations mostly examined field dressings, and administered I.V. Morphine and plasma transfusions. This station always had a major supply of whole blood. Medical personnel at the clearing station sent less-serious cases to evacuation hospitals and more serious cases to field hospitals. The officers at this station were part of a medical battalion commanded by a lieutenant colonel who was usually a surgeon. Medical battalions provided the main medical
treatment to wounded soldiers in the clearing stations.
Echelon 3
Mobile Hospitals
Mobile Hospitals were where soldiers went for
further medical treatment. This hospital focused on large chest wounds,
abdominal wounds, amputations, and severe fractures. In the Mobile Hospital
there was a surgical team made up of two surgeons, a surgical nurse, an
anesthetist, and two technicians. One type of Mobile Hospital was an Evacuation
Hospital. These hospitals were located on the water lines about 3 to 15 miles
behind the field hospital. Another Mobile Hospital was a Portable Surgical
Hospital. This type of hospital provided surgical care to wounded soldiers. The
surgical teams were not only picked for their qualifications but for their
physical abilities. The surgeons had to work quickly while holding heavy
equipment to save wounded soldiers near the front.
Mobile Hospitals
Mobile Hospitals were where soldiers went for
further medical treatment. This hospital focused on large chest wounds,
abdominal wounds, amputations, and severe fractures. In the Mobile Hospital
there was a surgical team made up of two surgeons, a surgical nurse, an
anesthetist, and two technicians. One type of Mobile Hospital was an Evacuation
Hospital. These hospitals were located on the water lines about 3 to 15 miles
behind the field hospital. Another Mobile Hospital was a Portable Surgical
Hospital. This type of hospital provided surgical care to wounded soldiers. The
surgical teams were not only picked for their qualifications but for their
physical abilities. The surgeons had to work quickly while holding heavy
equipment to save wounded soldiers near the front.
Echelon 4
General Hospital
General Hospitals provided complete medical care. They were
located in allied rear areas under the control of the communications zone
(COMMZ). In these hospitals patients were not held for more than 90 days.
General Hospital
General Hospitals provided complete medical care. They were
located in allied rear areas under the control of the communications zone
(COMMZ). In these hospitals patients were not held for more than 90 days.