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Medical Kits & Contents
Vehicle First-Aid Kits
In order to offer the best possible first response treatment in the event of a crash or injury involving the vehicle or its passengers, the United States Army Medical Department introduced a series of Motor Vehicle First-Aid Kits. These kits were specifically designed for certain vehicles, and this reflected in their contents. Each kit was divided into units, each of which was individually packaged within the metal container, and these included basic gauze dressings, tourniquets, scissors, along with drugs and medication such as Ammonia and Iodine.
This article looks at the various types of Motor Vehicle First-Aid Kits, along with their contents.
Please use the drop down menu below to automatically jump to specific kits:
Note: Morphine Tartrate Syrettes (½ grain) may be added to this kit upon the direction of the commanding officer when the military circumstances indicate its need.
The transportable metal container (Item # 9777400) was usually stashed away in a holding bracket, centrally located under the vehicle's dashboard (1/4-Ton Truck, aka Jeep). This rectangular shaped container was provided with a single carrying handle and closed with 2 sets of two clips. Its cover held a paper contents list, glued underneath the lid, illustrating where each unit should be placed in the container, as well as some directions and recommendations related to First-Aid treatment. The complete Kit's Item No. changed from 97773 (between mid-1943 and early 1944)) to 9777300 (after 1 March 1944). It once again changed in 1947, following the standardization of both Army and Navy Stock Numbers, to Item # 9-221-200. Item 9-221-200 was gradually phased out during the 1950s, and replaced by First Aid Kit, General Purpose, 12 Unit (FSN 6545-922-1200).
The 12-Unit Kit's contents did not undergo many changes during WW2. In spring of 1943, it still contained 6 sterile Individual Double Wrapped Envelopes of Sulfanilamide (5 grams) with Shaker Top, which disappeared early 1944. At the same time, the older 2 Burn Injury Sets were replaced by an improved version containing a more effective Ointment. Course of 1945, all former White bandage material was equally replaced by a less conspicuous Field Brown version.
Note: Morphine Tartrate Syrettes (½ grain) may be added to this kit upon the direction of the commanding officer when the military circumstances indicate its need.
The complete Kit was transported in a large metal container, closing with either 2 sets of two clips, or 1 set of two clips and a single narrow hinge. It had only one carrying handle. Once again, a brief instruction sheet and a list of contents were included underneath the container's cover. Evolution of the Kit during WW2 brought about a change in Item Numbers, from its early war 97771, to its new 1 March 1944 number 9777100. After the July 1947 reorganization, the Kit became Item # 9-221-100.
An earlier version (1942-1943) did include 12 Sulfanilamide Shaker Top Envelopes (as the 12-Unit did), but these were deleted at the beginning of 1944. Also the 4 previous types of Burn Injury Sets were replaced (see 12-Unit Kit), while in 1945, the White bandages disappeared in favour of the Field Brown versions.
The Gas Casualty First-Aid Kit was issued in the Theater of Operations on the basis of one to each 25 individuals. It would usually be carried in motor vehicles, and was contained in a rectangular metal chest provided with a single carrying handle, almost identical to the 12-Unit Motor Vehicle Kit, except for its colours. The first or early pattern was painted yellow with red markings, but a second pattern was introduced in the course of 1943, now painted olive-drab with black markings. The Kit was again provided with an instruction sheet, indicating nomenclature, directions for use, and list of contents. Being of similar dimensions as the 12-Unit Kit, it could also be clipped into the bracket located under a jeep's dashboard. Unlike the other Motor Vehicle Kits covered in this section, the Gas Casualty First Aid Kit underwent a great deal of modifications as the war progressed. For example up to 1943 , the Medical Department approved Item # 9102800 (BAL (British Anti-Lewisite) Ointment) for effective treatment of this contamination.
As the war in Europe battled on, it soon became apparent that cotton pads impregnated with Copper Sulfate Solution (Item # 9107500) would be effective for the treatment of WP (White Phosphorous) burns on the skin, and in 1945 this was standardized in the form of an envelope containing 3 x dual-ply flannel pads impregnated with Copper Sulfate Solution, which was issued to every soldier. The only items which were deleted around mid 1944 were Dichloramine-T in Triacetin, the Hydrogen Peroxide Solution, and the Phosphorus Burn Set, reducing overall contents to 9 items, instead of 10.
The Aeronautic First-Aid Kit was, according to FM 21-11, issued to almost every aircraft, one to each aircraft station, while TM 71-220 states, that a minimum of five Kits was required per aircraft. However photographic evidence exists which shows that these kits were certainly carried in greater numbers in troop carrying aircraft. Indeed as per AAF Manual 55-0-1, the Kit is installed in an airplane on the basis of 1 Kit for every two men, or 1 per crew member at an isolated Station, within easy access of crew members (and passengers). Bombers would normally have 4 Kits per plane, while Fighters would have 1 Kit per plane. Availability of such Kits have on numerous occasions saved lives by enabling prompt emergency treatment of injuries.
The Aeronautic First Aid Kit was installed in ALL combat, cargo, transport, training planes, and gliders at the Factory! As required by T.O. (Technical Orders), the Kit must be placed on board the aircraft (check before mission); it must always be sealed (wire sufficiently small to be broken in case of emergency); it must be stowed in its designated location (easily accessible); and if missing, it should be replaced prior to flight. Morphine Syrettes, Sulfanilamide, and Halazone Tablets have to be removed from training aircraft, but should NOT be removed from combat planes.
The canvas rectangular case closed with a zipper (when completely opened, it allowed to unfold the container) and seal bearing the proper MD identification and consisted of two separate large compartments, with a smaller separate compartment closing with a press stud, while the outside envelope also contained some medical items. The rear was foreseen with a large canvas loop (in fact a sort of handle), and stitched onto a rectangular flap with four Lift-the-Dot fasteners, two at the top, and two at the bottom, which clicked into four male fasteners located at some specific spots for securing the Kit to the aircraft's bulkhead. There was an early version, in khaki-coloured canvas, followed by an olive-drab version, and a late war/postwar waterproofed version, with only minor modifications. The difference in contents between 1943-44 and 1945 (June 1945) was as follows: 1 Halazone Bottle holding Water Purification Tablets was now added, the 2 Large First-Aid Dressings and the 1 Small First-Aid Dressing were now replaced by 3 identical Small versions; the previous Eye Dressing Set was replaced by the M-2 version; the earlier 5 1/2-Inch Straight Scissors, were gone and exchanged for a 4-Inch version, deemed sufficient. Sulfadiazine Tablets in Boxes were now packed in two Tubes, to save storage space; and any White Bandage material was replaced by a Field Brown version.| Home | Contact Us | Site Map |
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