Organization and activity of medical stations of the Ukrainian Red Cross in the military district of UPA «Zagrava» (the second half of 1943)

Abstract

The publication examines the organization and activities of the health-care units of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army – the medical stations of the military district «Zagrava» in the second half of 1943. The publication is archaeographical and includes eight original documents that come from the Branch State Archive of the Security Service of Ukraine in Rivne. On the basis of these documents, namely, the directional instructions of the commanders of the UPA units, the chiefs of the medical service of these units, the commanders of the Ukrainian Red Cross (orders, appeals, regulations, recommendations) and the reports of heads and leaders of medical stations, an analysis of the circumstances of the formation and features of the functioning of medical stations was made. In particular, it was found that medical stations were created in accordance with the orders of the commander of the UPA «Zagrava»; their operational management was carried out by the Chancellery of the head of the military headquarters of the group, and directly managed by the head and senior doctor of the medical station. The staff of the medical stations was formed from mobilized for UPA doctors and medical assistants, and nurses and nursing assistants trained on short-term courses. Medicines for medical stations were supplied by the Ukrainian Red Cross service. Medical stations consisted of hospitals for the wounded and sick, outpatient clinics, first aid stations. Each medical station was guided in its activity by regulamin (schedule) issued by the commander of the Ukrainian Red Cross, was obliged, in addition to providing assistance to the wounded and sick, to report weekly their work, to carry out the procurement of medicinal plants, to adhere to sanitary and epidemiological safety, and so on. Thus, the medical stations played a significant role in preserving the UPA's combat capability, returning to the ranks of wounded and sick soldiers, providing first aid to the civilian population. The experience of their activities may be useful for establishing a health care service in the field for the modern Ukrainian army.

Keywords: Ukrainian insurgent army, military district «Zagrava», Ukrainian Red Cross, medical station, Branch State Archive of the Security Service.