Sunday 20 September 2015

Looking After the Animals


Monday 20th September 1915: It seems that offensive operations are indeed soon to take place around the town of Loos on the flat plain, interspersed by slag heaps, in northern France. The following memo has been leaked from 7th Division Headquarters

“The following are the Veterinary arrangements for the forthcoming operations: -

The Officer Commanding No.12 Mobile Veterinary Section has posted an advanced Collecting Station at le Marais, opposite the 37th Field Artillery Brigade Ammunition Column lines. All seriously wounded animals should be sent to this station and handed over to the veterinary personnel; conducting parties to return at once to their units”.

In case of an advance necessitating the forward movement of any considerable number of animals, another Collecting Station will be opened at Noyelles and posts placed on the roads West of Vermelles to intercept and direct men bringing in wounded animals”.

“In case of a general advance, the Mobile Veterinary Section will move forward in the rear of the Divisional Train”.

“Wounded horses will not be evacuated until after dark unless large numbers are received and congestion is feared”.

Source: X550/3/wd

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