Flight Surgeon: Diary of Medical Detachment, 1943-1944

 Author's Summary

The text consists of a World War II war narrative from the perspective of the flight surgeon. The setting is in the European Theatre of Operations on a Fortress base in East Anglia. This deals primarily with an ancillary ground command and with only testimonial reference to any aerial combat. It deals with more in the way of the pertinent day-to-day logistics and emotional anxieties and ordeals of the supportive, ground-based non-combatants when dealing with returning crews. This is a whole other story and rarely, if ever, addressed. 
 
The text comprises a foreword, additional readers' notes, the body of the text, numerous photos and images, secret reports and endnotes, and a contemporary, explanatory glossary of period terms and acronyms.

MWSA Review

This book consists of a Combat Medical Diary written by Lt. Col. Ernest Gaillard, Jr. while he was with the 242nd Medical Dispensary of the 381st Bomb Group at Ridgewell, Essex, England during World War II.  The diaries were compiled and edited by his son, William N. Gaillard.

At first glance this would appear to be a primary source document only, useful for historians interested in specifics as to the names, planes, casualties, etc. of this particular bomb group.  Since this is a medical diary, the book contains specific information as to flights, personnel, and casualties, all related to the bombing runs by the American B-17s bombing Nazi Germany during the time period of 1943-44.

However, the diligent reader will be rewarded by reading Dr. Gaillard's accounts.  He writes well, has a good sense of humor and one senses he is a good man.  The diaries are full of detail about what it was like to fly and risk all, and as such is a great testament to the "Greatest Generation."  One is first struck by the sacrifices these crewmen made to win the war in Europe.  There is a great deal of detail in the book about the casualties the crews suffered; the Army Air force suffered over 100,000 casualties in the European Theater of Operation (ETO), and the 381st Bomb Group had almost 14,000 casualties, including 411 KIA, 3,536 WIA and 9,921 MIA.

As a medical diary, there are interesting stories of an accidental fatal shooting, bicycle accidents, diarrhea from unsanitary conditions, descriptions of death by anoxia resulting from acute oxygen deprivation at high altitude, and frostbite suffered in the -40 degree temperatures at high altitudes.  There are also interesting personal asides from Dr. Gaillard as he talks about their recreation and his taking an English war bride while stationed there.  Also, though officially prohibited from doing so, Dr. Gaillard sometimes flew with the crews.  Finally, the subject of combat stress (what we now call PTSD), is extensively covered.  Failure to go on missions was then labeled "Lack of Moral Fiber."  

This book would be rewarding for anyone interested in the history of American B-17s and their missions during World War II. 

Reviewed by: Weymouth Symmes (2010)