Portable Surgical Hospitals in the North Burma Campaign: Lessons for Providing Forward Surgical Support to Nonlinear Operations in Airland Operations
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to critically examine the 30-bed MASH developed by the United States Army Medical Department and to examine its ability during nonlinear operations to provide forward surgical support to AirLand Operations. The methodology chosen is a historical comparison of the 30- bed MASH to the World War II portable surgical hospital deployed during the North Burma Campaign in the China-Burma-India Theater. This study will show that forces employed during the North Burma Campaign in the China-Burma-India Theater engaged in nonlinear operations similar to that proposed by AirLand Operations doctrine. To lay the groundwork for this historical comparison between the 30- bed MASH and the portable surgical hospital, this study examines the history and evolution of mobile surgical units in the United States Army Medical Department since World War I. Additionally, this study carefully explores the combat experiences of the portable surgical hospital during the North Burma Campaign in the China-Burma-India Theater. This analysis provides important information for a careful examination of the capabilities of mobile surgical units developed since World War II that lead directly to the development of the 30-bed MASH. This study shows through historical appraisal and recent operational testing that the 30-bed MASH is unsuitable to provide forward surgical support to nonlinear operations in Airland Operations. Medical, Surgical, Army, Hospital, Mobile, China, Burma, India, AirLand operations
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 04, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA272689
Entities
People
- David A. Pattillo
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College