The Second World War

THE 200TH FIELD AMBULANCE LIVING HISTORY SECTION

In World War Two, the RAMC had greater access to mechanised land and air transport allowing specialists and operating teams to get right to the front-line in an increasingly mobile war. Some of the major medical developments pioneered by the RAMC, such as the use of penicillin for the first time in the North African campaign and also the development of blood transfusion, which was so crucial in wartime. Many medical personnel were taken prisoner during the war, as they often remained with the wounded. In the Far East many British and Australian medical personnel were amongst those taken prisoner at the Fall of Singapore in 1941.

As the 200th Field Ambulance I portray a field dressing station or an advanced dressing station 3rd in line on the route of evacuation and before a main dressing station. I would deal with the following: reanimation, transfusions, x-rays, bandaging and collection of weapons and ammo from wounded, minor surgical operations should life be threatened by injury or complications.

Amongst the obvious duties in caring for the wounded the RAMC would also be involved in surveys with the engineers when planning camps and medical facilities, we would also check local water supplies and grade accordingly, as well as the day to day health of the personnel from all branches of the division (like a civilian G.P) other duties would be to insure the average Tommy has a high standard of personal hygiene and regular lectures on first aid and emergency situations the fighting soldier may encounter. Also, they could provide temporary medical and welfare assistance to the local civilian population until they can set up their own facilities.

Care of prisoners of war was also of high importance.

My display will consist of a medical/surgical tent and a ward tent (2007) displaying many items of original kit and hopefully can carry out minor role-playing displays such as sick parades, medicals etc as well as dealing with the wounded (if I can recruit sufficient numbers).

The 200th field ambulance was attached to the 50th {Northumbrian} infantry division, which was created September 1939 as a first line territorial army division and fought in the following battles: 1940 26-28th may Ypres, Comines, 1942 Gazala, Marsa Matruh, El Alemein, 1943 Mareth, Akarit, Enfidaville, Sicily

1944 6th june normandy landings 17-27th september: nederrijn

Retired from operations 12th december 1944.

The 200th was one of a group of five royal army medical corps units within the division the others consisting of the 149th field ambulance,186th field ambulance, 47th field dressing station and the 48th field dressing station.

As the 200th typical vehicles in a unit such as this would consist of Austin k2/y (Katy) ambulances, Bedford M1 heavy ambulances, medical evacuation unarmed
Half-tracks, modified jeeps, and various other lorries for equipment and staff transfers.

Since its inception in 1898 up until the end of the second world war the RAMC had treated 14 million casualties!

If anyone is interested in joining as medical orderlies or nursing staff please get in touch.

Kit Required for Participation with Blood & Bullets WW2 Display