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WWII 32nd Station Hospital | WWII Africa to Caserta Italy
| Willard O. Havemeier WWII
HOSPITAL LAYOUT
HOSPITAL
LAYOUT
The layout of our hospital complex at Caserta, Italy.
We had about 12 buildings for patients with a total capacity
of about 500 patients. In addition to what you see here,
we had some huts and tents set up to accommodate female patients,
especially Womens Army Corps members, WACs, many of whom were
employed as secretaries and clerks at 5th Army headquarters
in the Palace. Our staff was trained to handle male patients,
so when females arrived some major changes had to be made.
Many Italian females were hired to help out.
Above: The author and my wife Catherine
at the entrance gate of the 32nd Station Hospital, when
we visited this hospital area in 1998. When we operated
here it was necessary to have round the clock guards at
both entrance and exit gates to keep out intruders.
The walls around the perimeter were topped off with barbed
wire. In spite of these precautions we had outsiders
gain access to some of our equipment and supplies.
At one time we lost a whole truck load of bed sheets to
thieves. We had to post our own men as guards at the entrance
and exit gates to keep out unauthorized persons.
Later, we had Military Police take over this job which released
our own men to handle hospital duties.
Here I am in 1998 visiting
the old hospital complex. The entire area is fenced in and
controlled by the Italian Army. We could not find anyone
who would help us see the inside, which I really would have
liked to have seen If we go again, I'll try to arrange
a visit.
Enlargement of sign
on the outside of one of the hospital buildings at the 32nd
Station Hospital. Barbed wire is strung on top of
the wall.
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