Photo By Sgt. Jeffrey Wadford | Meuse Argonne, France – Soldiers conduct analysis on best locations for hospital...... read more read more
Verdun and Meuse Argonne, France – The 30th Medical Brigade commemorated the 100th-year anniversary of the United States entry into World War I by traveling to western France, April 18-19, and studying the 1916 Battle of Verdun and U.S. operations during the 1918 Meuse-Argonne Offensive.
The 39 Soldiers from the headquarters staff of the ‘Victory Medic’ Brigade studied both campaigns and focused on understanding the medical and evacuation challenges that were presented and the solutions the French, German, and American Expeditionary Force military health systems provided. Additionally, the Soldiers spent time discussing how the 30th Medical Brigade would apply current health system support and force health protection doctrine to solve those same challenges.
The staff ride began with a Combat Leadership Workshop in Sembach, Germany presented by Andrew Morris of CSM solutions. Morris provided a World War I overview, the battle of Verdun between Germany and France, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive between the AEF and Germany. The next morning, Soldiers loaded the bus and set off to Verdun, France, visiting the Memorial of Verdun, Fleury Memorial Ossuary, Fort Douaumont and Mort Homme. The Soldiers explored the terrain and proposed solutions to the military evacuation problems faced by the French, specifically; improvement of roads and rail, synchronized ambulance exchanged points along the main supply route, surgical teams and holding capability as far forward as possible. The day ended with a seminar at the hotel to focus on processes or standards used or implemented during WWI that are still used or applicable in the Army medical system, specifically; vaccination of Soldiers prior to deployment, utilization of Army Medical Reserve personnel and equipment and implementation of a synchronized medical evacuation system.
The next day started at the AEF headquarters building and focused on medical mission command. The groups began to understand the constraints of the AEF medical system specifically; resupply of medical equipment, hospital capability and deployment, and communication between the Services of Supply and Corps and Army Chief Surgeons. The next stop was Cote 304 or the Line of Departure for the AEF offensive on Sept. 21, 1918 to understand the American Medical System at the front line of troops. Some of the problems faced by the AEF were impassable roads for medical evacuation and resupply. The team understood the major traffic jams that took place along the supply route and learn that the AEF medical evacuation system relied on horse drawn ambulances to continue the mission.
The team also discussed preposition of medical supplies in anticipation of issues with the system prior to the start of the offensive. Next, the Chatel-Chahery and the commitment of 1st Infantry and 82nd Airborne divisions and the breaking of the Hindenburg line Oct. 24, 1918. This gave the team the opportunity to discuss the treatment of gassed mass casualties then and how we prepare for and treat gas casualties today. The team concluded that preparation and training would make the difference in successful treatment and evacuation of gas casualties.
Lastly, the team moved to the Meuse-Argonne American cemetery to honor the fallen; specifically Pfc. Philp Windsor, an Ambulance Solider who paid the ultimate sacrifice on the day the AEF broke the Hindenburg line. Col. William Stubbs, 30th Medical Brigade commander, explained the mission of this Soldier and the importance of honoring our fallen. The team then paused for a moment of silence in honor of Windsor and all that made the ultimate sacrifice. Stubbs and Command Sgt. Maj. David L. Hunt then laid a red, white and blue wreath with a ribbon that read “Rest in Peace, from the 30th Medical Brigade”.
The team concluded the staff ride with a better understanding of military medical systems of World War I and application of the lessons learned into mission analysis.
| Date Taken: | 04.18.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 05.11.2017 11:57 |
| Story ID: | 232236 |
| Location: | FR |
| Web Views: | 49 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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