Medical Evacuation Chain - World War 1 - Field Ambulance

A field ambulance is a military unit, not a vehicle. Field ambulances were attached to each of the AIF brigades. Thus, each infantry division had three field ambulance units, each with 10 officers and 182 other ranks. Field ambulances controlled the medical evacuation chain behind the RAP and moved the wounded from the regimental aid post to an advanced dressing station. The field ambulances played a vital role in triage and immediate care to wounded soldiers. The field ambulance managed the advanced dressing stations, the main dressing stations and the walking wounded dressing stations. The trip from the RAP to the advanced dressing station was about 1.5 to 5km) and could take up to 6 hours to complete. Stretcher-bearers worked in relays. At least 36 stretcher-bearers handled each patient along the way.