German military medical personnel of the Second World War
In the Wehrmacht, direct medical assistance to wounded soldiers on the battlefield was provided by paramedics who were part of platoons, companies and battalions. They could be distinguished from regular infantrymen by their special medical bags, extra water flasks, patches and armbands. They could also evacuate the wounded to first aid stations or assembly points. Infantry companies also included non-commissioned officers of the medical service, and at the battalion level a military doctor (Assistenz or Oberarzt) was responsible for centralized medical care. However, it was not possible to carry out serious medical operations in the battalion, the divisional medical service was responsible for this, which could also include sanitary columns engaged in the centralized transportation of the wounded.
