7 General Hospital Bombed

On Sunday, 18 May, at 6.5 p.m., 7 General Hospital area was attacked from the air at low altitude, some bombs (four at least, possibly twelve) being dropped on the hospital area and towards the beach. Three British medical officers and two orderlies were killed, while another three orderlies were wounded. Among those killed was the surgical specialist; a New Zealand surgeon, Major Christie, was appointed in his place.

Arrangements were made on 19 May for 5 MDS to evacuate casualties to 7 General Hospital at 9.30 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily. This schedule could not be adhered to in later days, as convoys of ambulance cars and trucks were invariably halted on the road over very long periods while enemy aircraft strafed everything that moved. That very afternoon, as a prelude to bigger happenings next day, enemy planes flew to and fro over all areas occupied by troops, machine-gunning and bombing without restraint.