Who We Are...

Field hospitals were a new inovation in combat medicine. The idea was to have a hospital near the front line (around 3-5 miles behind it), that could move when the line moved (around every 7-10 days). This was so that casualties could be treated as quickly as possible, in order to save more lives. They are the precursor to the MASH units.

Field hospitals were just one step in the chain of medical evacuation developed in World War II. However, their personnel had, among doctors and enlisted men, female nurses. Field Hospital nurses were the closest that American women got to the front line in World War II. All nurses were given the rank of 2nd Lt. upon entering the army, because there was worry about their fraternizing with patients and other hospital personnel. Also, if given the rank of an officer, it was reasoned that the would get more regard from the men in the field.

The 45th Field Hospital was created in anticipation of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy. The nurses of the 45th Field Hospital were among the first American military women to land on the beaches after the invasion. They proceeded to follow the Allied push through the ETO.

The re-enacted 45th Field Hospital was established in 2001, to ensure that the work of these great women would not be forgotten.

We are part of the California Historical Group, a World War II living history association, based in southern California.

If you are interested in joining us you may find more information here. Please note this is a PDF file which requires Adobe Reader.