Irish Doctors in the Second World War

Description

This highly anticipated sequel charts the contributions of Irish doctors in the Second World War, a conflict that demonstrated to the world that the pace of military warfare had changed forever.

Advancements in medical care during the inter-war years made field medicine almost unrecognisable compared to 1918, but this was tempered by the vast innovations in the machines of war. From the Maginot Line to the Far East, Irish doctors risked their lives in a terrifying new landscape.

Read accounts from Aidan MacCarthy, a Japanese POW present when the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, and heartrending reports from Irish doctors arriving in liberated concentration camps, exemplifying the unique position they were in as citizens of a neutral country:

‘They [Irish people] don’t understand the horror of this war because it has not been brought home to them. They have spun their own little cocoon and have been indifferent, to a great extent to the
sufferings of humanity.’

With a meticulously compiled Roll of Honour commemorating Irish doctors who served, this book is a powerful tribute to their humanity and indomitable spirit.

Contents
Introduction
PART ONE: THE IRISH DOCTORS
1. Timeline for the Second World War
2. Medals and Awards
3. Irish Doctors in Europe and North Africa 1939 – 1945
4. Irish Doctors in the Far East
5. Irish Doctors as Prisoners of War
6. Profiles in Gallantry and Professionalism by Irish Doctors
Abbreviations

PART TWO: ROLL OF HONOUR OF IRISH DOCTORS WHO SERVED IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR

About the Authors
Patrick J. Casey is a founding member of the Medal Society of Ireland. He is a life-long military medal collector with a keen interest in the profiles of those awarded military honours. Pat has written numerous articles on the history of Irish Regiments, their insignia, uniforms and awards.

Kevin T. Cullen is a retired geologist and past President of the Institute of Geologists of Ireland. He compiled and self-published the World War One Roll of Honour for County Monaghan, his native county, in 2010.

Joe P. Duignan is a retired surgeon and former Council Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. He has lectured on the nature and treatment of wounds and diseases of past military campaigns from the Crimea to World War Two, and on the medical advances during this period.