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GERMAN ARMY VETERINARY CORPS WW1

German Army Veterinary Surgeons at a Veterinary Hospital during WW1

Source: HISTORIES OF TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY DIVISIONS OF THE GERMAN ARMY WHICH PARTICIPATED IN WAR 1914 TO 1918

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Histories of Two Hundred and Fifty-one Divisions of the German Army Which Participated in War 1914 to 1918.

A GERMAN ARMY VETERINARY HOSPITAL DURING WW1

In spite of the growing importance of motorcars and the prominent part incumbent on railways, ours is by no means a horseless age. In fact, the present war, while evidencing the wonderful mechanical progress of our era, throws the horse into unexpected prominence. When it is considered that each army corps, on a war footing comprises tens of thousands of horse, it will be readily understood that the total number of those used by all belligerents should amount to some millions. The veterinary service for these quadruped armies therefore raises a number of problems and assumes an unprecedented importance, second only to sanitation in wartime.

How are the horses wounded on the battlefield or affected with illness restored to health and made fit to resume their post? Little has so far been heard of the way this important task is organized, and it is thought that the following account will be all the more welcome:

In order, first, to sum up the main tasks performed by the veterinary surgeon, behind the battlefront, it may be said that by staying the breeding of recent wounds, he is able to save the life of a great many horses. Again, in the case of epidemics, he will have to diagnose the complaint and to take such measures as are required in order to remove the infected animals. The discovery of glanders may even be called a vital question of the army this terrible disease being transferable to man, even though the epidermis be intact. Any horses responding to the Malleine test are, therefore killed and dissected immediately, thus controlling the disease and insuring the maintenance of sufficient numbers of these animals.

The treatment of wounded and sick horses, then takes place at special veterinary hospitals, which have, for the first time, been installed during the present war. The writer is indebted to Veterinary Surgeons Ohms and Major Von Papen, the medical and military directors respectively of the Insterburg Veterinary Hospital, for the pictures accompanying this article and for much of the information it is based upon.

This hospital, at the end of November last, was created, as it were, out of nothing, and has to fulfill a most difficult task, about 140 diseased horses, many of whom were affected with glanders, being transferred to it at the beginning. The barracks occupied by the hospital, after being vacated by their regiment, had been taken up, in succession, by fugitives from Eastern Prussia, mounted Russian troops (during the invasion lasting but a few days, but leaving its traces of reckless devastation) and, finally, again by fugitives. On being taken over by the cavalry division, the barracks were found in an almost incredible state of neglect, and had to be cleared and disinfected most thoroughly with the assistance of Russian prisoners, before the hospital could commence operations. Rooms for accommodating patients of widely different kinds were made ready, and the hospital now comprises the following departments:

1. The reception stable, accommodating 60 horses, where all the horses coming from the front are kept until received in the proper ward. Here they are submitted to the Malleine test, as well as the blood tests, the result of which is waited before any horse is allowed to leave this stable.

2. A stable for patients suffering from infectious lung diseases, which affords room for 80 horses. This at the present moment, is used for surgical patients, there being no cases of lung disease.

3. A shed comprising several sections, respectively, for horses suffering from glanders, suspected of infection glanders, and afflicted with mange.

4. Three stables for surgical patients, accommodating 140 patients, 140 patients, and 80 horses, respectively.

5. A stable for officers' horses, mares in foal, and mares and foals, as well as for cured horses, ready to be released.

There are also available three racecourses, one of which is resorted to whenever the reception stable does not suffice to cope with actual requirements, while the two others are used to give healthy horses an airing, and, finally there is a farriers's shop, the chief veterinary's office, a chemist's shop and a laboratory. The men and non-commissioned officers are housed in barracks of their own, where there is also the commander's office.

The staff at present comprises the chief veterinary surgeon, three veterinaries and two assistants veterinaries each of whom is assisted by two men trained for the veterinary sanitation service, and a farrier. Each veterinary has under his charge at least 100 patients.

reeve33959 - Horse wounded by shrapnel, a scene at a German Veterinary Hospital in the field trying to bring the horse down to the ground so they can operate.

The general treatment and surgical operations are superintended by the chief veterinary. Horses affected with glanders are killed and dissected immediately: those suspected of this terrible malady are isolated and subjected to a renewed Malleine test. Horse suffering from incurable external disease, if free from fever, are handed over to the horse slaughter: those with fever are killed and handed over to the flayer. A board installed near each horse's manager indicates its date of reception and sort of complaint. Much care is bestowed on keeping the horses skin, hoofs and legs in proper condition, as well as on cleanliness, ventilation and disinfection of the stables. Each horse has a watering bucket of its own.

Service at the veterinary hospital lasts from 8 to 11:30 A.M. and from 2 to 5:30 P.M. The chief surgeon each day visits the patients of some stable with a view of ascertaining any infectious diseases, examining the condition of hoofs, etc. so that all the horses in the hospital are examined once a week. Those horses which are received at the delivery stable are treated with special care, fed on a special plan, given an airing every day and brought into such condition as to be immediately fit for heavy service with detachment. Patients likely to remain at hospital for some length of time are deprived of their horseshoes and, if required, are given a daily airing. Pregnant mares, mares with foals, and jaded horses are allowed a long rest every day on the grounds close to the hospital. Flaked oats are used extensively in feeding emaciated

In order to protect patients against glanders and to localize any outbreak of disease, each horse, as above mentioned is on reception, submitted to the Malleine test. Moreover, a blood sample of each new arrival is sent to the laboratory, and all the horses are subjected to the Malleine test every three weeks and to a blood test, once a month.

It has thus been possible to keep glanders out of the hospital, though 103 patients suffering from the disease had to be killed.

The following figures will give an idea of the useful work done at the hospital. A total of 1,995 horses were received at the hospital from its date of opening until the end of May, the last date for which statistical data were available. Out of this total, 973 were discharged as cured to their respective detachments, 103 affected with glanders were killed, 128 were sold to the horse slaughter as suffering from incurable external disease, 92 died or were killed because suffering from feverish external disease, 49 were handed over other depots or detachments, 12 mares in foal were handed over to the Chamber of Agriculture, and 84 were sold to farmers because unfit for military service of being unworthy the fodder. The total left at the hospital thus 554 horses. Extensive operations had to be made on a number of patients.

Whenever unable to be operated on standing, patients are suspended from an attachment such as is used in equine obstetrics, no special operating table being as yet available. Most operations are performed in a choral hydrate narcosis or local anesthesia (produced by injection of a cocaine-adrenaline solution)

Those horses which after operation are found to be unsuitable for war duty are sold at an acceptable price to farmers of Eastern Prussia who have returned to their devastated farms, thus in a measure remedying the prevailing scarceness

One hundred and forty eight men of the German Landsturm, mostly with a long practice in the handling of horses, have been appointed to tend and care for the inmates of the hospital, Non-commissioned officers act as superintendents.

By employing all the available resources, a veterinary hospital such as this is able to cure a considerable number of invalid horses and by surgical operations to make a great many wounded ones fit again for war use, which otherwise would unavoidably be doomed to death at the slaughter's hand or by a welcome bullet. Those cured are by a proper treatment made suitable again for heavy service, thus filling any gaps and restoring to each detachment their own horses, a practice bound to make for increased fighting fitness. Considerable values are in this way saved for the state and veterinary surgeons are enabled to increase their stock of professional experience.

THE END

GERMAN DIVISIONS AND VETERINARY HOSPITALS THAT PARTICIPATED IN WW1

Alpine Corps
Veterinary Hospital

Bavarian Corps
33 Bavarian Veterinary Hospital

Jaeger Division
143 Veterinary Hospital

1st Guard Division
1 Guard. Veterinary Hospital

1st Guard Reserve Division
401 Veterinary Hospital

Guard Ersatz Division
209 Veterinary Hospital

Guard Cavalry Division
286 Veterinary Hospital

1st Division
1st Veterinary Hospital
137 Veterinary Hospital

1st Landwehr Division
201 Veterinary Hospital

1st Bavarian Division
Veterinary Hospital

1st Bavarian Reserve Division
Veterinary Hospital

1st Bavarian Landwehr Division
Veterinary Hospital

1st Cavalry Division
65 Veterinary Hospital
142 Veterinary Hospital

1st Naval Division
Veterinary Hospital (Ostend)

2d Guard Division
2 Guard Veterinary Hospital

2d Guard Reserve Division
204 Veterinary Hospital

2nd Division
195 Veterinary Hospital

2nd Landwehr Division
502 Veterinary Hospital

2nd Bavarian Division
Veterinary Hospital

2nd Bavarian Landwehr Division
32 Veterinary Hospital

2d Cavalry Division
65 Veterinary Hospital

2nd Naval Division
Veterinary Hospital

3d Guard Division
3 Guard Veterinary Hospital

3d Division
189 Veterinary Hospital

3d Landwehr Division
503 Veterinary Hospital

3d Bavarian Division
Veterinary Hospital

3d Reserve Division
163 Veterinary Hospital

3d Naval Division
569 Veterinary Hospital

4th Guard Division
4 Guard Veterinary Hospital

4th Division
131 Veterinary Hospital

4th Ersatz Division
136 Veterinary Hospital

4th Landwehr Division
504 Veterinary Hospital

4th Bavarian Division
Veterinary Hospital

5th Guard Division
5 Guard Veterinary Hospital

5th Division
5 Veterinary Hospital

5th Reserve Division
135 Reserve Veterinary Hospital

5th Ersatz Division
505 Veterinary Hospital

5th Landwehr Division
Veterinary Hospital

5th Bavarian Division
Veterinary Hospital

5th Bavarian Reserve Division
Veterinary Hospital

6th Division
233 Veterinary Hospital

6th Reserve Division
144 Reserve Veterinary Hospital

6th Bavarian Division
6th Bavarian Veterinary Hospital

6th Bavarian Reserve Division
Veterinary Hospital

6th Bavarian Landwehr Division
36 Veterinary Hospital

6th Cavalry Division (Dismounted)
261 Veterinary Hospital

7th Division
7 Veterinary Hospital

7th Reserve Division
407 Veterinary Hospital

7th Landwehr Division
47 Veterinary Hospital

7th Cavalry Division (Dismounted)

8th Division
8 Veterinary Hospital

8th Landwehr Division
563 Veterinary Hospital

8th Bavarian Reserve Division
Veterinary Hospital

8th Cavalry Division

9th Division
9 Veterinary Hospital

9th Reserve Division
409 Veterinary Hospital

9th Landwehr Division
509 Veterinary Hospital

9th Bavarian Reserve Division
29th Bavarian Veterinary Hospital

9th Cavalry Division

10th Division
10 Veterinary Hospital

10th Reserve Division
410 Veterinary Hospital

10th Ersatz Division
212 Veterinary Hospital

10th Landwehr Division
210 Veterinary Hospital

10th Bavarian Division
10th Bavarian Veterinary Hospital

11th Division
11 Veterinary Hospital

11th Reserve Division
411 Veterinary Hospital

11th Landwehr Division
211 Veterinary Hospital

11th Bavarian Division
11th Bavarian Veterinary Hospital

12th Division
12 Veterinary Hospital

12th Reserve Division
412 Veterinary Hospital

12th Bavarian Division
16th Bavarian Veterinary Hospital

13th Division
13 Veterinary Hospital

13th Reserve Division
413 Veterinary Hospital

13th Landwehr Division
513 Veterinary Hospital

14th Division
14 Veterinary Hospital

14th Reserve Division
414 Veterinary Hospital

14th Landwehr Division
170 Veterinary Hospital

14th Bavarian Division
Veterinary Hospital

15th Division
15 Veterinary Hospital

15th Reserve Division
415 Veterinary Hospital

15th Landwehr Division
515 Veterinary Hospital

15th Bavarian Division
15th Bavarian Veterinary Hospital

16th Division
16 Veterinary Hospital

16th Reserve Division
416 Veterinary Hospital

16th Landwehr Division
216 Veterinary Hospital

16th Bavarian Division
Veterinary Hospital

17th Division
17 Veterinary Hospital

17th Reserve Division
417 Veterinary Hospital

17th Landwehr Division
Veterinary Hospital

18th Division
18 Veterinary Hospital

18th Reserve Division
418 Veterinary Hospital

19th Division
19 Veterinary Hospital

19th Landwehr Division
519 Veterinary Hospital

20th Division
20 Veterinary Hospital

20th Landwehr Division
520 Veterinary Hospital

21th Division
21 Veterinary Hospital

21th Reserve Division
421 Veterinary Hospital

22d Division
148 Veterinary Hospital

22d Reserve Division
422 Veterinary Hospital

22d Landwehr Division
139 Veterinary Hospital

23d Division
23 Veterinary Hospital

23d Reserve Division
423 Veterinary Hospital

23d Landwehr Division
523 Veterinary Hospital

24th Division
24 Veterinary Hospital

24th Reserve Division
424 Veterinary Hospital

24th Landwehr Division

25th Division
25 Veterinary Hospital

25th Reserve Division
Veterinary Hospital

25th Landwehr Division
525 Veterinary Hospital

26th Division
26 Veterinary Hospital

26th Reserve Division
245 Veterinary Hospital

26th Landwehr Division
Veterinary Hospital

27th Division
27 Veterinary Hospital

28th Division
28 Veterinary Hospital

28th Reserve Division
428 Veterinary Hospital

29th Division
29 Veterinary Hospital

29th Landwehr Division
140 Veterinary Hospital

30th Division
30 Veterinary Hospital

31th Division
31 Veterinary Hospital

32d Division
32 Veterinary Hospital

33d Division
33 Veterinary Hospital

33d Reserve Division
Veterinary Hospital

34d Division
34 Veterinary Hospital

35th Division
35 Veterinary Hospital

35th Reserve Division
435 Veterinary Hospital

36th Division
36 Veterinary Hospital

36th Reserve Division
138 Veterinary Hospital

37th Reserve Division
194 Veterinary Hospital

38th Division
38 Veterinary Hospital

38th Landwehr Division
538 Veterinary Hospital

39th Division
39 Veterinary Hospital

39th Bavarian Reserve Division
227 Veterinary Hospital

40th Division
40 Veterinary Hospital
Veterinary Hospital

41th Division
145 Veterinary Hospital

42d Division
162 Veterinary Hospital

43d Division
Veterinary Hospital

43d Reserve Division
237 Veterinary Hospital

44th Division
Veterinary Hospital

44th Division
238 Veterinary Hospital

44th Landwehr Division
Veterinary Hospital

45th Division
Veterinary Hospital

45th Reserve Division
445 Veterinary Hospital

45th Landwehr Division
45 Veterinary Hospital

45th Division
Veterinary Hospital

45th Reserve Division
Veterinary Hospital

46th Division
Veterinary Hospital

46th Landwehr Division
46 Veterinary Hospital

47th Division
Veterinary Hospital

47th Reserve Division
199 Veterinary Hospital

47th Landwehr Division
547 Veterinary Hospital

48th Division
Veterinary Hospital

48th Reserve Division
448 Veterinary Hospital

48th Landwehr Division
570 Veterinary Hospital

49th Division
Veterinary Hospital

49th Reserve Division
155 Veterinary Hospital

50th Division
132 Veterinary Hospital

50th Reserve Division
450 Veterinary Hospital

51th Division
Veterinary Hospital

51th Reserve Division
263Veterinary Hospital

52d Division
205 Veterinary Hospital

52d Reserve Division
264 Veterinary Hospital

53d Division
Veterinary Hospital

53d Reserve Division
453 Veterinary Hospital

54th Division
54 Veterinary Hospital

54th Reserve Division
246 Veterinary Hospital

55th Division
Veterinary Hospital

56th Division
56 Veterinary Hospital

57th Division
Veterinary Hospital

58th Division
58 Veterinary Hospital

75th Division
Veterinary Hospital

75th Reserve Division
169 Veterinary Hospital

76th Division
Veterinary Hospital

76th Reserve Division
146 Veterinary Hospital

77th Division
Veterinary Hospital

77th Reserve Division
Veterinary Hospital

78th Division
Veterinary Hospital

78th Reserve Division
Veterinary Hospital

79th Division
Veterinary Hospital

79th Reserve Division
164 Veterinary Hospital

80th Division
165 Veterinary Hospital

81th Division
Veterinary Hospital

81st Reserve Division
220 Veterinary Hospital

82d Division
Veterinary Hospital

82d Reserve Division
221 Veterinary Hospital

83d Division
83 Veterinary Hospital

84th Division
156 Veterinary Hospital

85th Landwehr Division
181 Veterinary Hospital

86th Division
182 Veterinary Hospital

87th Division
191 Veterinary Hospital

88th Division
193 Veterinary Hospital

89th Division
183 Veterinary Hospital

90th Division
Veterinary Hospital

91th Division
241 Veterinary Hospital

92d Division
242 Veterinary Hospital

93d Division
243 Veterinary Hospital

94th Division
519 Veterinary Hospital

95th Division
567 Veterinary Hospital

96th Division
568 Veterinary Hospital

101st Division
Veterinary Hospital

102d Division
Veterinary Hospital

103d Division
202 Veterinary Hospital

105th Division
105 Veterinary Hospital

107th Division
166 Veterinary Hospital

108th Division
197 Veterinary Hospital

109th Division
109 Veterinary Hospital

111th Division
111 Veterinary Hospital

113th Division
113 Veterinary Hospital

115th Division
167 Veterinary Hospital

117th Division
117 Veterinary Hospital

119th Division
168 Veterinary Hospital

121st Division
206 Veterinary Hospital

123d Division
236 Veterinary Hospital

183d Division
228 Veterinary Hospital

185th Division
385 Veterinary Hospital

187th Division
255 Veterinary Hospital

192d Division
292 Veterinary Hospital

195th Division
231 Veterinary Hospital

197th Division
Veterinary Hospital

199th Division
244 Veterinary Hospital

200th Division
300 Veterinary Hospital

201st Division
Veterinary Hospital

202d Division
302 Veterinary Hospital

203d Division
303 Veterinary Hospital

204th Division
249 Veterinary Hospital

205th Division
305 Veterinary Hospital

206th Division
306 Veterinary Hospital

207th Division
307 Veterinary Hospital

208th Division
308 Veterinary Hospital

211th Division
Veterinary Hospital

212th Division
312 Veterinary Hospital

213th Division
313 Veterinary Hospital

214th Division
314 Veterinary Hospital

215th Division
315 Veterinary Hospital

216th Division
257 Veterinary Hospital

217th Division
317 Veterinary Hospital

218th Division
318 Veterinary Hospital

219th Division
226 Veterinary Hospital

220th Division
276 Veterinary Hospital

221th Division
321 Veterinary Hospital

223d Division
Veterinary Hospital

224th Division
324 Veterinary Hospital

225th Division
265 Veterinary Hospital

226th Division
262 Veterinary Hospital

227th Division
208 Veterinary Hospital

228th Division
55 Veterinary Hospital

231st Division
227 Veterinary Hospital

232d Division
267 Veterinary Hospital

233d Division
268 Veterinary Hospital

234th Division
269 Veterinary Hospital

235th Division
Veterinary Hospital

236th Division
271 Veterinary Hospital

237th Division
272 and 198 Veterinary Hospital

238th Division
273 Veterinary Hospital

239th Division
239 Veterinary Hospital

240th Division
240 Veterinary Hospital

241st Division
274 Veterinary Hospital

242d Division
275 Veterinary Hospital

243d Division
277 Veterinary Hospital

255th Division
366 Veterinary Hospital

301st Division
Veterinary Hospital

302d Division
Veterinary Hospital

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THE ARMY VETERINARY SERVICE DURING THE GREAT WAR, WW1
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Veterinary Corps in WW1

NEVERS FRANCE AND U.S. ARMY HOSPITALS IN THE AREA DURING WW1
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Nevers France and U.S Army Hospitals in the area during WW1

LEONARD PATRICK MURPHY U.S. ARMY VETERINARY CORPS, A.E.F., WW1
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POLK COUNTY WISCONSIN IN WORLD WAR 1
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Polk County Wisconsin in World War 1

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FORT ORD STATION VETERINARY HOSPITAL U.S. ARMY HORSE c1941
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11TH CAVALRY PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, 1919 TO 1940
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11th Cavalry Presidio of Monterey, 1919 to 1940

76TH FIELD ARTILLERY REGIMENT PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, 1922 TO 1940
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76th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Battalion

EAST GARRISON/CAMP ORD 1940's ARMY BUILDING DOCUMENTATION
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East Garrison/Camp Ord 1940's Army Building Documentation 2013

FORT ORD U.S. ARMY POST STOCKADE IN IMAGES
Fort Ord U.S. Army Post Stockade in Images

BRIEF HISTORY GENERAL ROBERT C. RICHARDSON, COMMANDER: VII ARMY CORPS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DEFENSE SECTOR AND CONNECTION WITH FORT ORD WW2
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General Richardson Fort Ord Defense of West Coast

7TH DIVISION HEADQUARTERS BUILDING, FORT ORD, 1941 WW2, GENERAL STILWELL
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7th Division Headquarters Buildings, Fort Ord, 1941, General Stilwell

FORT ORD BUILDINGS, COMPLETION REPORT IMAGES 1941-1942
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Fort Ord Buildings, Completion Report Images 1941-1942

250TH COAST ARTILLERY CAMP MCQUAIDE CALIFORNIA 1941
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250th Coast Artillery Camp McQuaide California 1941

U.S. ARMY VETERINARY CORPS HISTORICAL PRESERVATION GROUP

Motto: "Illic est Vires in Numerus" There is Strength in Numbers

"Working Hard to Preserve Our Country's History wherever it is being lost".

U.S. Army Veterinary Corps Historical Preservation Group is a group of individuals that are concerned about the preservation of the History of the Veterinary Corps, Remount Service and Cavalry or wherever our country's history is being lost in conjunction with our beloved "Horse and Mule". There is no cost to join and membership is for life. We believe by uniting together in numbers we will be a more powerful force to be heard. Our membership list is private and only used to contact our members. Email us and become a member.

Greg Krenzelok
[email protected]

FACEBOOK: U.S. Army Veterinary Corps Historical Preservation Group

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