Description
During World War II, German and Italian aircraft bombed and sank thirteen Allied hospital ships (7 British, 5 Greek, 1 Norwegian) in the European Theatre. A fourteenth hospital ship (British) was sunk by a German sea mine during the Normandy invasion. As a result of these illegal, purposeful attacks on clearly marked hospital ships, wounded servicemen could not be assured of sanctuary on board presumed safe havens; neither could the ships’ crews nor the doctors, nurses and other medical staff on board to provide patient care.
The chain of medical care began with servicemen brought to field hospitals near the front lines, then, if necessary, transferred to more distant evacuation hospitals. Critically wounded patients were further transported to station and general hospitals via hospital ships, hospital trains, or aircraft, attended by nurses and other medical personnel.
Typically, though scarcely recognized by authorities paying tribute to WWII veterans’ groups, Allied nurses were on the front lines as well as on board hospital ships in combat zones and at more rearward hospitals. During the invasion of North Africa marking America’s entry into the war in Europe, U.S. Army nurses waded ashore from landing craft with assault troops; it being too dangerous for hospital ships to enter port. Over the course of the war, women of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps suffered death and wounds as they treated soldiers, sailors, and airmen.
U.S. Army nurses (in all theatres of war) were decorated for meritorious service and bravery under fire. Decorations included the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Soldier’s Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Air Medal, and Army Commendation Medal.
British, Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand Nursing Sisters serving aboard Commonwealth hospital ships shared these same dangers and hardships of war. But those in charge were also mindful of appearances. A Matron directed her junior Nursing Sisters, “here borrow my comb, and try not to look like survivors!” following several hours in Mediterranean water, clinging to wreckage after their British Army hospital ship was sunk, and having been brought ashore in Oran where their bedraggled uniforms were exchanged for men’s clothing.
