The History of the South African Forces in France

by John Buchan

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Pages: 298

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About this book

The preface says the Union Government requested an official history of the South African Forces in Europe in the autumn of 1916. The preface says work could not begin until after the signing of the Armistice. The account of the Field Ambulance describes posts under constant shell-fire and help from trains run by South African railwaymen in bringing back the walking wounded.

A hospital account records instructions to increase normal capacity from 520 to 1,120 beds, with provision for a crisis expansion to 1,500 beds. The hospital sometimes accommodated as many as 1,600 to 1,700 patients at once during the latter part of 1917 and, not infrequently, during 1916.

About the author

John Buchan

John Buchan (1875-1940) was a Scottish novelist, historian, and statesman who served as Governor General of Canada. His fast-paced Richard Hannay thrillers helped define the espionage adventure genre.