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Here is a short thread on another often seen, but often misrepresented item of #WW2 German medical kit.
The Verbandkasten (First-aid box). Used within soft-skin & armoured vehicles.
Pics are an example from my collection & period use (door of Sdkfz 250. /1
The Verbandkasten (First-aid box). Used within soft-skin & armoured vehicles.
Pics are an example from my collection & period use (door of Sdkfz 250. /1
This is an early-mid War example (1942 dated) with a well-made, 2 latch, 1 handle case, wooden lined interior and contents label.
Pic 1 shows a standard packing order (subtle changes may be forced by wire splint) & pic 3 the contents removed, exposing the wooden interior. /2
Pic 1 shows a standard packing order (subtle changes may be forced by wire splint) & pic 3 the contents removed, exposing the wooden interior. /2
The kit was designed, unsurprisingly, w/ vehicle crews in mind & is reflected in some differing contents to a Sani pouch/bag.
From L-R some more detail.
Flexible wire & stiffened card splints. The wire could be cut and moulded to suit the injury.
/3
From L-R some more detail.
Flexible wire & stiffened card splints. The wire could be cut and moulded to suit the injury.
/3
Next, 6 canvas bags containing from top L, tourniquet, sling, x2 wound wadding, x2 pressure bandages.
The wadding & pressure bandages are also found in the Sani kit & have expiry date labels that change colour when expired.
Then we have x10 small dressings. /4
The wadding & pressure bandages are also found in the Sani kit & have expiry date labels that change colour when expired.
Then we have x10 small dressings. /4
Moving right, we have Elastoplast tape, iodine (or ersatz iodine), leather pouch with 20 safety pins & below, another Verbandkasten specific item, x4 burn* bandages.
*There are differing types of burn bandage containers. Unsurprisingly, I have these in another case.
/5
*There are differing types of burn bandage containers. Unsurprisingly, I have these in another case.
/5
Finally, we have a canvas pouch containing Verbandkasten specific clothes shears & standard straight scissors and tweezers as per Sani.
The design, unsurprisingly became less sophisticated as the War progressed, w/ cheaper construction/less material. The last were wooden /6
The design, unsurprisingly became less sophisticated as the War progressed, w/ cheaper construction/less material. The last were wooden /6
Often contents labels had inspection stamps and/or pencil annotations where items were used/replaced.
Verbandkasten are ten a penny for an average e.g. Good quality with intact labels, tricky to find. An example like this is rarely available. It can take years to complete. /7
Verbandkasten are ten a penny for an average e.g. Good quality with intact labels, tricky to find. An example like this is rarely available. It can take years to complete. /7
I shall post a thread with a wooden, late War example some other time.
Hope this was of interest, seeing another side of WW2 German medical kit.
/Ende
Hope this was of interest, seeing another side of WW2 German medical kit.
/Ende
