EQUIPMENT CARRIED AS FIRST PRIORITY BY 7 NZ FIELD AMBULANCE AT LANDING ON TREASURY ISLANDS
Headquarters Company

Description	Weight lb.	Cubic Ft.	Contents
Case	100	3	Table, operating FA, 1.
Case	85	4½	Steriliser, HP portable, 1.
			Steriliser drums, 3.
			Procaine soln, cartons, 4.
			Pentothal sodium amps., 20.
Case	60	4½	Towels, hand, 72.
			Gowns, operating, 15.
			Gowns, nursing orderlies, 12.
			Masks, anaesthetic, 4.
			Masks, theatre, 1.
Case	60	4½	FA Box No. 6, 1.
Case	100	3	FA Box No. 7, 1.
Case	55	4½	Tulle gras, tins, 4; dressings, sterile, tins, 3; vaseline gauze, tins, 19; bandages M/tailed, 6; elastoplast 3-in., tins, 22; sulphanilamide, tins, 12; stretchers ambulance, cushions, 2.
Case	60	4	FA Box No. 5, 1.
Pannier	60	4	FAP No. 1, 1.
Pannier	60	4	FAP No. 2, 1.
Pannier	55	4	Transfusion pannier, 1.
Case	50	4	Head mirror, 1.
			Blood plasma, sets, 17.
			Sodi cit, amps., 15.
Pannier	50	4	RMP, 1.
Pannier	80	4	RFMP, 1.
Pannier	50	4	Fracture pannier, 1.
Case	25	2	FA Box Nos. 1 and 3, 1.
Case	50	4	FA Box No. 4, 1.
Case	60	4	FA Box No. 8, Dettol, 1; bleaching powder, tins, 4; companions, medical, 1; instruments, operating, case, 1; clippers, hair, 1.
Case	25	1½	Reserve dressing box, 1.
Case	50	4½	Dressings, shell, 7.
			Dressings, sterile, tins, 22.
Crate	80	5	Splints, Thomas, 14.
Crate	60	4	Bars, suspension, 14.
			Stirrups and clips, 14.
			Pillows, stretcher, 12.
Cases (10)	48	4½	Blankets, 10 in each case.
Case	80	4½	Pyjamas, prs., 40.
Case	80	4½	Pyjamas, prs., 36.
			Bottles, HW, 16.
			Bottles, HW covers, 14.
Case	100	4½	Sheets, ground, 34.
Case	100	4½	Sheets, ground, 33.
Case	100	4½	Sheets, ground, 34.
Case	35	4½	Basins, IE, 13; scissors, stretcher bearers, 24; brushes, shaving, 4; brushes, tooth, 6; sponges, bath, 2; funnel IE, 4-in., 1; brushes, feeder, 11; towels, bath, 24.
Case	35	4½	Nets, mosquito, 15.
Case	35	4½	Nets, mosquito, 15.
Case	30	4½	Nets, mosquito, 20.page 65
Case	30	4½	Bedpans, IE, 6; feeders, 12; measures, IE, 4; bottles, water, FP, 8; buckets, canvas, 4.
Pannier	40	4	Medical comforts pannier, 1.
Case	35	4½	Lamps, hurricane, 12; funnel IE, 4-in, 1; torches, electric, 10.
Case	30	4½	Lamps, hurricane, 9.
Case	35	4½	Spare globes, 2; mantles, spare, 7; lamps, paraffin, pressure, 6; torches, button, 6; burner washers, 53; meth. filler can, 1.
Case	120	4½	Plates, ST, 50; bowls, soup, 50; pannikins, 50; knives CS, 50; forks NS, 50; spoons, dessert, 50; forks, meat, 2; knife, bread, 1.
Case	60	4½	Stoves, oil wickless No. 5, 7.
Case	50	4½	Brush, scrub, 3; brush, nail, 2; jugs, 2; kettles, camp, oval, 5; ladles, cooks, 2; openers, tin, mechanical, 1; buckets, canvas, 2.
Case	50	4½	Stationery bundles, 1; Case WT, sterilising, 1; sprays, hand, pump, 6; slings, stretcher, 48; twine, rolls, 1; stools, camp, 2.
Crates (15)	110	3	Containers, water 2-gal., 5 each.
	(ea.)	(ea.)
Case	100	4½	Axes, 3; hooks, bill, 2; hooks, reaping, 3; knives, cane, 8; shovels, GS, 4; spades, 2; twine, balls, 1; taps, 2; pulleys, 1; ttrel, 1; adze, 3; pick, 2; slashers, 6.
Bundles (5)	180	13	Tents IP 180, 1 each.
	(ea.)	(ea.)
Bundles (4)	300	11	Tarpaulins, WP, 6.
	(total)	(total)
Case	30	3	Ether, tins 1 lb., 28.
Case	100	5	Plasma sets, 30.
Bundles (12)	24	4	Stretchers, ambulance, 2 each.
	(ea.)	(ea.)
Package	28	3	Hydro-burner, 1.
Crate	24	3	Stands and plates, 4 each.
Case	100	3	Batteries, 6-volt, 3.
Case	100	4½	Surgical sponges; abdominal swabs; face masks; vaseline gauze, sterile, tins, 12; water, sterile, amps., 4; sulphanilamide powder, 5-gr. sterile packets, 48; sheet, WP, 1; tube, drainage; tube, suction; tetanus, toxoid, 300; procaine, spinal; quinine, intrav., amps., 24; atebrin, intrav., amps., 10; procaine 2 per cent, bottles, 5; sod. sulphathiazole, intrav., bottles, 6; sod. cit., amps., 12; soln. copper sulph., 2 per cent oz., 4; cannister dressing, 1; battery, lamp, 1; brushes, nail, 2; suture, dermal boxes, 3; washer, autoclave, spare, 1; applicators, wood, boxes, 1; tabs pot. permang., 200; procaine and adrenalin, amps., 25; tincture benzoin co., oz., 4; liq. iodi. mit., oz., 4; soln. acriflavine, oz., 4; phenol liq., oz., 4; collodion flex, oz., 2; blades, razor, pkts., 3; safety pins, tin, 1; note book and pencil, 1; tab azochloramide, 100; soluble M. and B. amps., 5; matches, pkt., 1.

A Company

Description	Weight Ib.	Cubic Ft.	Contents
Case	60	3	Laboratory equipment.
Case	40	4½	Orderly room equipment.page 66
Case	40	4½	Pentothal, sodium; ether; chloroform ethyl chloride; syringes and needles; face masks; adhesive plaster.
Case	50	4½	Ether; dressings.
Case	60	4½	Sterile dressings; gauze swabs, tulle gras; guards; gowns, operating; plaster.
Case	60	4½	Thermette; steriliser; instrument trays; bowls IE; dixie.
Case	70	4½	Primus; Coleman double burner; instrument table; steriliser; SVM.
Case	120	6	Pharmaceutical supplies.
Pannier	80	5	FAP No. 1.
Pannier	60	5	FAP No. 2.
Case	100	5	Plasma sets, 30.
Pannier	50	5	Fracture pannier, 1.
Pannier	80	5	Medical comforts pannier, 1.
Crate	80	3	Tables, folding, 3.
Crate	28	3	Hydro-burner, 1.
Bundle	20	2	Thomas splints, 5; Kramer wire, pieces, 16.
Bundles (12)	20	3	Stretchers, 2; cushions, 2; slings, 4 each.
	(ea.)	(ea.)
Crates (12)	85	2½	Water cans, full, 2-gal, 4 each.
	(ea.)	(ea.)
Crates (2)	85	2½	Petrol tins, 2-gal., full, 5 each; kerosene tins,
	(ea.)	(ea.)	2-gal., full, 3.
Bundles (2)	180	13	Tents, IP 180, 1 each.
	(ea.)	(ea.)
Case	60	4½	Cooking equipment.
Pannier	70	4½	RMP, 1.
Pannier	70	4½	Medical comforts pannier, 1.
Cases (2)	100	4½	Tools: Rake, 1; slashers, 8; shovels GS, 6; shovels LH, 5; picks, 4; axes, 5; handsaw, 1; spades, 2.
	(ea.)
Crate	40	3	Cooking stands, 4.
Bundles (3)	180	11	Tarpaulins, including Red Cross, total, 4.
	(total)	(total)
Bundles (3)	30	3	Tent poles, operating theatre.
Pannier	70	4½	RMP, 1.

Comment on Medical Equipment by OC 7 Field Ambulance

Syrettes are greatly preferable to morphia in solution. All medical officers are in agreement with this, one reason being that morphia in solution seems to deteriorate, and that syrettes are much easier to give under adverse conditions. In our opinion they should replace morphia tablets and solution in all panniers and packings.

Plasma was of course of great value. We felt the need at times of whole blood, and in two cases whole blood was given. The difficulty is to procure donors who can reasonably spare the blood under active-service conditions.

I have discussed the question of a blood bank at some length with the medical officers concerned in the evacuation of our initial casualties and they feel also that something should be done in regard to blood in the forward zone. In an initial assault landing the blood should be available in large quantities. To obtain it, it was suggested that a blood bank be established at Guadalcanal from whence it could be carried by LSTs. In later trips maintenance levels only to be carried. It would entail priority 1 for the Fd. Amb. refrigerator but this should not be an impossible task and at least 10–12 pints of blood could be stored in the refrigerator within 4 to 6 hours of landing. It would be taken off the LST just prior to the latter's departure.

page 67

Field Ambulance Panniers: There are still a number of articles in them which appear to be of little use in the early stages of the operation, e.g. Tannafax, Spts. Amon. Aromat., Lysol tablets (which are neither on US nor NZ supply lines). Even early large amounts of Amytal, Sulphaguanidine and Phenobarbitone are in demand.

Plaster of Paris is required in large amounts and early.

Comment on Ordnance Equipment

Vehicles: Under Brigade instructions a minimum of vehicles was allowed, in our case the first echelon brought one 30 cwt. and 4 Jeeps. These vehicles were really sufficient though we would have welcomed an additional 30-cwt. and a water cart earlier in the picture, especially so in view of the fact that the 30-cwt. was called on frequently for a Brigade Transport pool. The water cart must be an early priority vehicle. It is of value as soon as roads of any sort exist.

Water Cans: These are required in large numbers, either 2 gallons or US 5 gallon pattern. Water may have to be carried by hand some distance through the jungle. Ours were crated in 5 tins (2 gal.) crates with rope handle. This was a mistake, they would have been better carried singly.

Medical comfort panniers are invaluable. Large quantities of sugar and tea should be carried. There is a big demand for these and they are not available from ASC sources for some days.

Hot water bottles were taken in early priority. They are unnecessary in tropical warfare except possibly one or two.

Primus stoves are of great value, but hydra burners are still of more value. The extra weight is more than compensated for by the amount of heating that can be done with them.

Tentage cannot be reduced below present NZEFIP establishment, viz.: 7 IPPs and 45 IP 180 1b. These may not all be required in early stages but tents suffer in transport more than most articles and are more likely to be burned or damaged. Tarpaulins are of more value than tents for small dressing stations.

Tools: Cane knives are useless – they are far too light. Machetes are the tools required. Similarly G.S. shovels are no good in this soil – spades and hand picks are of much more value. Crowbars would be useful. All tools must be available immediately on landing as they are the first requirement.

Sheets were never used. We had hoped to put the more seriously ill cases in sheets in view of the climate, but this proved to be quite impossible because of the washing difficulty and water shortage. Sheets can never be used in an early stage until water is in free supply and washing facilities organised. The washing machine is worth its weight in gold and should be priority 1 even if it is a bulky article.

The refrigerator was a later arrival and was badly damaged in transit. It would have been very useful, and would be so now if it were functioning but it is not imperative. If a blood bank is to be instituted, the refrigerator must be priority 1.

Fuel (white spirit, kerosene), toilet paper and soap must be taken in large quantities early. Though the ASC carried supplies, there is little possibility of ever getting an issue from ASC sources for some days. They must be carried on the LCIs.

Tin mugs are very poor articles. They taint every drink, get extremely hot immediately hot drinks are put in them, while their sole virtue is that they are unbreakable.

page 68

Jungle clothes: The NZ variety of jungle clothing is most unsuitable. It is heavier and hotter than its US counterpart and the camouflage paint stops what little aeration there might be in the fabric. It may be good camouflage; as physiological clothing it is very poor.

Mosquito nets: We carry large stocks of these, and would have been unable to manage without these reserves. In action patients never come in with their nets.

Clothing: As we anticipated, the salvage problem with regard to clothing, web, rifles, etc., was most unsatisfactory. No salvage unit was operating for at least ten days in spite of requests put in by us before the Brigade Group left Guadalcanal. The Medical Corps cannot be held responsible for this type of equipment. They have neither the personnel, space nor time to give to oiling rifles, sorting out soiled and damaged clothing, etc. A salvage group must be functioning right from the commencement of operations.

EQUIPMENT OF 2 FIELD SURGICAL UNIT

Description	Weight lb.	Cubic Ft.	Contents
Case	100	11	Theatre lights, electric.
Crate	100	2	2 6-volt batteries.
Case	80	11	Poison cupboard, containing large amount drugs, dressing trays, sterile water jars, sterile dressing drums.
Case	100	9	Rubber aprons; caps; masks; towels; eye shields; French chalk; sterile drums; oil; PQP face cloths.
Case	80	9	Assorted sutures, 20 doz.; antiseptics, 20 bottles; BP blades; sulphanilamide pulv. in tins, 4 lb.; phenol; sticking plaster.
Case	80	9	Drums unsterile gowns; towels; sheets; basins IE 12 in.; soap; towels; gowns, operating, unsterile.
Case	150	11	Cotton wool; bandages 3 in.; flannelette, 4 in.; gauze, POP, assorted; French chalk; vaseline; crinoline; rubber drainage; elastoplast.
Case	80	11	Hurricane lamps, 10; Coleman lamps, 3.
Case	60	6	Tools; picks; shovels; spades.
Case	30	3	Medical comforts; tea; cocoa; etc.
Bundle	30	3	Tent poles, IPP.
Case	100	9	Ward equipment; sterile swabs; shaving gear; dressings; swabs; guards; antiseptics; hair clippers.
Case	65	4	Sterile drums; ctg. guards; swabs; 1 6-volt battery.
Drum	60	3	5-gal. drum SVM.
Crate	80	4	4 2-gal. water tins filled in crate.
Crate	80	4	4 2-gal. water tins filled in crate.
Crate	80	4	4 2-gal. water tins filled in crate.
Crate	80	4	4 2-gal. water tins filled in crate.
Crate	80	4	4 2-gal. water tins filled in crate.
Crate	60	4	2 folding tables, small.
Case	120	10	Saline, 6 bottles; glucose, 12 bottles; shell dressings, 26.
Drum	60	2	5-gals. kerosene.
Drum	60	2	5-gals. kerosene.
Drum	60	2	5-gals. kerosene.
Pannier	80	6	Complete set surgical instruments.
Pannier	80		Transfusion apparatus, comp.page 69
Case	70	10	Kramer wire; Thomas splints; light switches on stand; brooms base.
Case	5O	6	Tools, assorted.
Case	60	6	Rubber tubing, all sizes; gloves, surgeons, 8 doz.; rectal tubes; rubber bandages; ether; chloroform; ethyl chloride; pentothal.
Case	120		Autoclave; sterilisers, Shimilbush; vaseline gauze; nail brushes; POP.
Case	100	8	Operating table and case; pillow; sheet; blanket.
Package	60	4	Two folding tables, Mk IV.
Case	60	4	1 6–volt battery.
Package	70	8	Tarpaulin QOD.
Package	100	12	½ of 1 IPP.
Package	180	12	1 tent 180 Ib.
Package	180	12	1 tent 180 Ib.
Package	100	12	½ of 1 IPP.
Package	60	7	Bag ctg. 2 IPP sides.
Package	60	7	Bag ctg. 2 IPP sides.
Package	70	10	Peg bag and mallets.
Package	80	10	44–gal. drum w/tap, buckets inside, and 1 bath IG.
Package	60	3	Transfusion standards 3.

Comment by OC 2 Field Surgical Unit

(1)	The weight allowed for first priority equipment was 2 tons.
(2)	The allowance adequately covered theatre equipment. There was a minimum of nursing equipment, sufficient to prepare patients for operation, reliance being placed on 7 Fd. Amb. for the balance, an arrangement which worked out well.
(3)	Of particular value were the IPP tent for theatre, electric lights and batteries, drums of kerosene, dieselene spirit and water. In spite of their bulk and weight these were just portable and proved indispensable.
(4)	A shortage developed in prepared plaster-of-paris bandages and iodine. More should be brought another time in first priority.

EQUIPMENT OF LOGAN FORCE

Description	Weight Ib.	Cubic Ft.	Contents
Case	30	4½	Ether; WSP; Carlisle dressings; jungle kits; liq. iodine; towels; torch batteries; POP bandages; cotton wool; pentothal and sterile water; ung. salicyl; torch; masks.
Case	50	4½	Mugs; vaseline gauze; pulv, sulphaguanidine; towels; shell dressings; hurricane lamp; mess gear; basin, IG; hammer; calamine; tabs quin. bisulph; Horrocks box; jungle kits; surg. haversack; primus; ground sheets; pup tents.
Case	30	4½	Blankets; biscuits; stirrups; tea; medical companion; Millbank clips; pup tent.
Crates 2	80	3	Water tins, full, each 4.
	(ea.)	(ea.)
Case	30	4½	Medical comforts, splints and tools.
Tin	20		Kerosene, 2-gal. tin, full.
Bundles 2	20	3	Stretchers, 2 each,
	(ea.)	(ea.)
Case	30	4½	Plasma sets.
Bundle	180	13	Tent, IP 180.
Pannier	50	4	RMP.