What Does a Nurse Take to War?

[iSaur]

This recommended packing list for WW2 American Army nurses just appeared on Slate.com.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_vaul...e_for_wwii_army_nurses_headed_for_europe.html

Note near the bottom of the page the suggestion of "Scout knife" (with the comment "mighty handy"). I wonder how many 1930's-vintage Girl Scout knives went to war with their owners?

 

[kamagong]

The list clarifies the scout knife as having a can and bottle opener. It seems that most Girl Scout knives I've seen are nothing more than a variety of pen knife, so they probably meant the Boy Scout/utility/camp knife. Something like this US Army Engineer's pocketknife from WWII.

Then again they might have wanted something with a bit more style. Here's a knife that a certain ambulance driver would have loved. Not a nurse, but he obviously worked right alongside them.

- Christian

 

[CJZ]

What I wouldn't give to go back in time with a wallet full of cash. Back then quality knives costed a lot, but are nothing compared to today's standards. I'd go around buying as many "scout" knives as I could...

 

[puukkoman]

Christian, what is that 2nd knife you posted? Got any more info?

 

[kamagong]

Alex,

That's the so-called Hemingway knife by Jacques Mongin. Don't know very much about it.

- Christian

 

[Woodrow F Call]

Alex,

That's the so-called Hemingway knife by Jacques Mongin. Don't know very much about it.

- Christian

I like it.

 

[jackknife]

Very good post. We all know about the soldiers and Marines that slogged through France and many little island hell holes in the Pacific. But we don't give a lot of thought to the WAC's and WAVE's who served in hospitals in places like the jungles of the south seas. And then there were the forward MASH units that saved so many lives with medical aid minutes from a battlefield. I guess a nurse in a hospital needs a scout knife sometimes as much as a GI in the field.

Carl.

 

[screened porch]

The list clarifies the scout knife as having a can and bottle opener. It seems that most Girl Scout knives I've seen are nothing more than a variety of pen knife, so they probably meant the Boy Scout/utility/camp knife.

My big sister has a Camillus Girl Scout knife that has the regular 4 blades.
As an aside, all the Cub Scout knives I see these days have 3 blades, one liner-locked. I think mine had the regular 4 blades, but I traded it away so long ago I can't be sure.

 

[screened porch]

I'm surprised how much of their own they were expected to bring. All I know about the armed forces is what I see in the movies, but I had the impression they fitted you out with pretty much all you need, and almost all you're allowed.

 

[puukkoman]

I'm surprised how much of their own they were expected to bring. All I know about the armed forces is what I see in the movies, but I had the impression they fitted you out with pretty much all you need, and almost all you're allowed.

I was also surprised to learn just how much gear soldiers were (and sometimes still are) expected to provide themselves. Even today... For example, at the beginning of the Iraq war, lots of soldiers were not supplied with body armor and many had to buy their own - some who couldn't afford it had to go without, while others had it purchased for & given to them by families and organizations.

 

[comoha]

My first pocketknife ever was my mom's 1950's era Girl Scout (Brownies) scout pattern knife. I was maybe 10 years old. It had baby blue covers which she had decorated with nailpolish spots. I had her erase such fluffery with nailpolish remover before pocketing it. I wonder what ever became of that knife....

 

[waynorth]

This knife at a bit under 3 1/2" has all the right stuff, but I'd prefer a bigger one when the crunch comes!

 

[waynorth]

I have read that a knife like this Empire was often carried by medical personnel. I imagine it would go a long way to helping emergency surgery (gulp!).