Flight Surgeon: Diary of Medical Detachment, 1943-1944

The inspiration and compilation of the updated text for Flight Surgeon grew out of the whole litany of World War II war stories William N. Gaillard had heard as a child from both his parents and their nearby American and English blood relatives; all of whom were either military combat veterans or former civilian ancillary staff members who had directly supported the war effortboth here and in the European Theatre of Operations overseas. Over the ensuing years, he had learned that his doctor-father had kept a day-to-day war diary of his 242nd Medical Detachment at the USAAF 381st Bomb Group Station #167 in Ridgewell, Essex, England. He had always heard about it, but had never actually seen itlet alone, read it. Shortly after his mother passed away in July 2001, Mr. Gaillard finally discovered Dr. Gaillards actual detailed war diary originals (two volumes, no less) after their having been effectively sequestered for some sixty-odd years. These dossiers also contained the former flight surgeons classified secret commentaries to higher command, commendations, certificates, missing air crew reports, letters, psychiatric analyses, footnotes, strikethroughs, corrections, sidebars, annotations, additions, and never-before-seen photos that are now dovetailed into the present manuscript. Ostensibly, if you are a physician/MD, Nurse, or EMT, or other health care professional, you will find this account to be of particular, instructive benefit relative to todays medicine; and, if youre not, youll enjoy it anyway simply for the marvelous adventure that it tells. It is to be savoured by all.