New Zealand Medical Services in Middle East and Italy
Forward Evacuation
Forward Evacuation
With the onset of winter, experience of forward evacuation in the low-lying areas proved that stretcher-carrying jeeps, even when fitted with chains, were liable to become bogged in the mud. The answer to this problem was found in Bren stretcher-carriers, which had previously been used by the armoured regiments and whose mobility and usefulness was welcomed by RMOs. A number of battalions immediately arranged for extra Bren carriers to be fitted to carry stretchers. Stretcher-carrying jeeps, however, still continued to be most useful and arrangements were made to provide them with all-weather hoods.