Title: New Zealand Medical Services in Middle East and Italy

Author: Stout, T. Duncan M.

Publication details: Historical Publications Branch, 1956, 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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General Health of Troops during the Campaign

The sickness rate for the Division was very low, there being no incidence of infectious disease, except a short sharp outbreak of sandfly fever amongst a few isolated units late in April. During the whole campaign admissions to medical units averaged only 1 per 1000 per day. After the severe fighting around Takrouna there were some fifty cases of physical exhaustion. A few days' rest with provision of showers for all troops rapidly overcame the trouble. Experienced officers stated that for several days the shelling to which the infantry was subjected was the most severe the Division had ever encountered.