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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The Type of Wounds

Wounds were caused by different missiles, varying greatly at times. Throughout the campaign there was always a considerable number of mine wounds irrespective of any actual fighting. These wounds were caused either by the metallic mine exploding on the ground or by the new wooden Schu mine, which exploded about four feet above the ground and discharged numbers of shrapnel balls, causing severe multiple injuries. The damage to the feet by the ordinary metallic mines continued to be frequent and severe. In active fighting shell and mortar wounds became more common, and in certain phases bullet wounds produced the majority of the casualties. At one field surgical unit behind Mareth the casualties due to gunshot wounds were 23 per cent; to shell wounds 46 per cent; to mines 27 per cent; and to bombs 2 per cent.