Analyses of Battle Casualties by Weapon Type Aboard U.S. Navy Warships

Abstract

The number of casualties was determined for 513 incidents involving U.S. Navy warships sunk or damaged during World War II. Ship type and weapon were significant factors in determining the numbers of wounded and killed. Multiple weapon attacks and kamikazes yielded more WIA than other weapon types. Multiple weapons and torpedos resulted in a higher incidence of KIA than other weapons. Penetrating wounds and burns were the most prominent injury types. Kamikaze attacks yielded significantly more burns than incidents involving bombs, gunfire, torpedos, mines, and multiple weapons. Mine explosions were responsible for more strains, sprains, and dislocations than the other weapon types. Torpedo attacks were more likely to sink the vessel than other weapon attacks. Shipboard battle injuries, casualties, ship types wounded-in-action, killed-in-action, weapon effects.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 19, 1991
Accession Number
ADA252892

Entities

People

  • Christopher G. Blood

Organizations

  • Naval Health Research Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircraft Carriers
  • Battles
  • Casualties
  • Combat Casualty Care
  • Destroyer Escorts
  • Dislocations
  • Escort Carrier
  • Health Care
  • Health Services
  • Medical Personnel
  • Naval Operations
  • Naval Warfare
  • Navy
  • Penetrating Wounds
  • Second World War
  • Shipboard
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Naval Mine Countermeasure Systems Development.
  • Trauma or Military Medicine