Wounded & Death

The widespread use of high explosive shells, machine guns, poisonous gas and other military weaponry inflicted unprecedented levels of carnage on all participants during the First World War. New Zealand’s forces suffered large numbers of casualties at various stages of the War, especially during periods of attack on enemy positions. Added to the lengthening casualty lists were the large numbers of soldiers brought down by disease and illness by serving in appalling and often horrific conditions.

Troops wounded in action were usually only able to receive the most basic of medical treatment. However the utmost efforts were made to remove casualties from the frontline to dressing stations and then on to casualty clearing stations where better medical attention could be offered. More serious cases were moved to hospitals behind the front. New Zealand had two stationary hospitals at Hazebrouck and Wisques on the Western Front. The staff of the New Zealand Army Medical Services and the Army Nursing Service in particular, worked tirelessly in the treatment of both Allied and enemy wounded throughout the War.

A grim companion to the legions of sick and wounded were the increasing numbers of soldiers permanently disfigured, disabled or ‘otherwise incapacitated’ as a result of military service. New Zealand’s efforts at physical rehabilitation were rudimentary at first. Later on improvements were made in the provision of artificial limbs, specialist treatment and convalescence. Establishments were created to assist disabled soldiers both in the United Kingdom and in New Zealand. The physical damage, and for some, the psychological strain, suffered by servicemen often lasted years (and in many cases decades) after the War.
 

Video and Sound Clips

Audio clip: Clearing casualties during an "armistice" in the Gallipoli campaign

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