Marking the Vimy Centennial: A centenary review of medical arrangements at Vimy Ridge by Dr. Vivian McAlister
In recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, Dr. Vivian McAlister, professor, Department of Surgery, wrote about the contributions of the Canadian Army Medical Corps during this nationally defining moment. Dr. McAlister's paper was published in the April 2017 issue of the Canadian Journal of Surgery.
Summary
In April 1917, medical units of the four divisions of the Canadian Corps combined for the first time in support of a single action, the assault upon Vimy Ridge. Detailed planning, infrastructure development, information dissemination and rehearsal were features of preparations by the combat arms and medical elements of the Canadian Forces. Extraordinary coordination resulted in the rapid rescue and evacuation by Canadian medical services of 8,000 casualties over four days. Characteristics of today’s military medical services are evident in the work of the Canadian Army Medical Corps 100 years ago.
Read the complete paper online. The paper is part of a series the Journal published on the First World War.
