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Aviation History
1949
1949 - 0165.PDF
JANUARY 27TH, 1949 FLIGHT log AIR AMBULANCE DEMONSTRATION Fully proved as a safe and practicable cpsration, the glider "snatch " nevertheless remained the most spectacular item on the Brize Norton programme. A Dakota and Hadrian are seen at the moment of contact. Service Medical Off icej^Wimess Methodsuf«Casualty Evacuation Illustrated by "Flight" phdographs. AT Brize Norton R.A.F. Station, onVthursday, |ani, f~\ 20th, the most distinguished figures in Service medi- ^- -*• cine, accompanied by many of their principal subordinate medical officers, forgathered to study under first-hand conditions the operational aspect of aerial casualty evacuation. Proof of the humanitarian value of this service for the wounded is afforded by the R.A.F.'s outstanding work during the war, and, although the number of lives thus saved can never be definitely assessed, some indication is given by the casualty-carrying statistics of the war years. In 1944 alone no fewer than 300,000 wounded Servicemen were transported by the R.A.F. in all theatres. Nearly all the casualties suffered in forward areas in the Far East were taken out by air, and sixty per cent .of estern Europe between D-day and VE-day. Evacuation from forward airfields presents no great problem, and to-day's capacious military transports can normally be converted for ambulance duties without diffi- culty in a short space of time. Conditions of modern war- fare certainly demand, however, that, supplementary to the freighter/ambulance, must be some type of "feeder- line " aircraft, capable of evacuating from almost inaccess- ible areas those casualties to whom prolonged delay and discomfort would prove fatal. The selection of aircraft, and the evolution of suitable technique, for the latter duty will obviously be the subject of a great deal of careful con- sideration by both operational and medical authorities, and it is in this connection that the experience gained by the medical experts at Brize Norton will prove most valu- able. Present at the demonstration were the Medical Directors-General of all three Ser- vices—Air Marshal P. C. Livingston, C.B., C.B.E., A.F.C., F.R.C.S., K.H.S., Surgeon Vice-Admiral C. E. Greeson, C.B., M.D., Ch.B., K.H.P., and Lt.-General N. Cantlie, C.B., M.C., F.R.C.S., K.H.P. They were accompanied by A. Cdre. G. E. Nicholetts, C.B.E., A.F.C., th» Director of Organization at the Air Ministry, and met by A.V-M. A. C. H. Sharp, D.S.O., A.F.C., the Air Officer Commanding No. 38 Group. The morning was devoted to an inspection of the static exhibition—a line-up of nine air- craft with their stretcher accommodation dis- played. Dummy casualties were swiftly and smoothly passed through the high double doors of the Hastings with the aid of the Stacatruc, and installed in stretchers positioned four-deep inside the aircraft. Ambulance duties are The Sikorsky Hoverfly 2, carrying one external .litter, wes demonstrated with a "patient." o 1:
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