Lessons from the enemy : how Germany cares for her war disabled / by John R. McDill.

  • McDill, John R. (John Rich), 1860-1934
Date:
1918
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Lessons from the enemy : how Germany cares for her war disabled / by John R. McDill. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    It may be news to some that among the amazing things the German army has accomplished, several are, it is claimed, based on American ingenuity. In 1895 Buffalo Bill and his Congress of Rough Riders created a great sensation in all the countries of Europe, including Germany; but when they came to Germany, experts from the general staff of the army were detailed to study and report on the feasi¬ bility of adapting some of the new ideas to the business of war and the result was the adoption of the swift methods of making and breaking camp; the use of subcaliber ammuni¬ tion in target practice to save costs by slipping the smaller- sized barrel into the big one, which they also adapted to field pieces; aiming cannon by sighting over a rifle; making the company appear four times as numerous by as many rapid changes of costume; using caissons in front of guns as shields; and the use of blinds or natural cover in stealing upon an enemy. The possibility that an account of some observation of the German medico-military and volunteer combined systems of care of the sick and wounded in this war might furnish something of use to our service is the excuse for this publication. The Germans claim that through their system they have been enabled to return 95 per cent, of their wounded to either military duty or to a self-support¬ ing civic or industrial usefulness. The latter is a consum¬ mation greatly to be wished by all if, after this war, we care to avoid the total liability and no assets results in this respect for which our nation has been paying billions since 1861. All through this narrative stands out the fact that preparation for war has been going on in Germany for many years, not only by the army but by numerous civic organizations preparing to lend essential assistance when a state of war occurred. Characteristic of this nation-wide and decades-long preparedness was a bit of grim, unconscious German newspaper humor a few months ago
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