Within reach, beyond care: an examination of medical care during the Papuan (Kokoda) campaign 1942-43 through the lens of the Australian field ambulance

Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)Among the many military histories written about campaigns fought, won and lost, the voice of Field Ambulance personnel has seldom been heard. This thesis aims to address this omission. In 1942, a full strength Australian Field Ambulance comprised approximately 240 men. The unarmed unit was divided into three companies, all of which were staffed by medical officers and other ranks. The Headquarters Company was responsible for the Main Dressing Station, while the two stretcher bearer companies (A and B) were generally assigned to man the Advanced Dressing Stations. The whole unit was supported by a Service or Transport Company. Their task was to provide medical care for an infantry brigade and attached troops. In World War Two, an infantry brigade in the Australian Army had a strength of between 2 500 and 5 000 soldiers, and was made up of three battalions. At no time during the 1942 Papuan Campaign were the Australian troops accompanied by a full strength, fully equipped, fully supported Field Ambulance unit. As a result, the medical companies and small detachments who were there struggled to provide adequate medical care to sick and wounded soldiers. Although close to mainland Australia, the Field Ambulance units were effectively isolated in Papua. Yet the difficulties they encountered there did not occur in isolation. This thesis examines the role of the Australian Field Ambulance during the Papuan Campaign by considering relevant themes, issues and events which impacted on these units before, during and immediately after 1942. The thesis assesses the level of care given to the soldiers, and the circumstances which contributed to the problems that plagued these medical units. The ability of the Field Ambulance to render optimum treatment was compromised by many factors including organisation, logistics, strategy, priorities, leadership, and the nature of the campaign itself. All of these issues impacted not only on the medical personnel, but also on the Australian soldiers entrusted to their care