Title: Medical Units of 2 NZEF in Middle East and Italy

Author: McKinney, J. B.

Publication details: Historical Publications Branch, 1952, Wellington

Part of: The Official History of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939–1945

This text is the subject of: ‘Something of Them Is Here Recorded’: Official History in New Zealand

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The CCS at Medenine

During the battle of Mareth the CCS was sited at Medenine along with 3 and 14 British CCS and 2 Indian CCS, and dealt with the casualties from the 51 Highland and 50 Northumbrian Divisions following the assault on the main Mareth defences. The casualties from the British divisions in the frontal attack on 20 March were page 269 heavy and the CCS worked at high tension, the operating theatres being continuously in action for over three days.

Extra tentage had been erected in preparation for heavy casualties and the staff of the various departments arranged so that the maximum effort could be made. At the cookhouse a 24-hour service was maintained. Meals were kept in hot-boxes for night-duty staff and patients admitted overnight. Evacuations to Ben Gardane were necessary twice daily. A limited number of special cases went by air to Tripoli from the Senem aerodrome, three and a half miles away. Casualties also came back to the unit by air from New Zealand Corps and in a hospital plane service run by an Australian air ambulance unit. New Zealand patients evacuated by air brought back the first news of the outflanking movement.