German Military Hospitals

[Richard T Eger]

From 12 O'Clock High!:

David Griffith
German Military Hospital - Yugoslavia
Mon Feb 11 13:35:06 2002
195.93.49.162

I am researching my Uncle's crew who were shot down just south of Budapest (Hungary) on 3/4/44.

For some unknown reason the pilot who was injured when he bailed out of the aircraft was taken to a 'German Military Hospital' somewhere in Zemun (Belgrade) and I am now trying to find out the name (And precise location) of this Hospital.

I believe the Yugoslavian Air Force built their headquarters in Zemun during 1938 and I am wondering if it is possible that the Luftwaffe established a hospital at this location. I'd be interested to hear any info and opinions.
David Griffith

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Larry deZeng
Re: German Military Hospital - Yugoslavia
Tue Feb 12 14:16:02 2002
64.12.107.22

David -

That's a real tough question. Few records survived the war that give details on the Luftwaffe's support and servicing units so it is extremely difficult to identify the hospital in question.

Here are some Luftwaffe hospitals and medical units that were in Serbia and Greece in spring 1944, but I cannot identify their specific location:
Lw.Sanitäts-Abteilung 1/IV
Lw.Lazarett 8/XVII
Lw.Sanitäts-Bereitschaft 14/VI
Lw.Sanitäts-Bereitschaft 4/VII
Lw.Sanitäts-Bereitschaft 6/XI
Lw.Sanitäts-Bereitschaft 7/XII
Lw.Sanitäts-Bereitschaft 3/XVII

Of these, the most likely candidate is Luftwaffen-Lazarett 8/XVII, since this is only one that was a real hospital. The others were more on the order of a MASH-type unit with limited facilities and equipment that rarely held patients for more than a week or so before they were moved on (if necessary) to a rear hospital.

Your best bet may be to try and find the original German "downed aircraft" investigative file on the plane and crew in U.S. National Archives Record Group 242/T-1033. These files contain details on the disposition of air crew prisoners, including injuries, where treated, how treated, etc. There's a bit more information on T-1033 on website www.lwag.org (http://www.lwag.org) . Click on "Archives in the USA" and then on "NARA Luftwaffe Downed Enemy (Allied) Aircraft Reports" dated 28 May 2001. Read the third entry down.
(Larry)

[Richard T Eger]

From TOCH!:

Ciglic
Zemun hospital
Wed Feb 13 17:39:02 2002
212.124.160.1

hello David,
Hospital you are asking about is located in Zemun, which is today suburb of Belgrade. It is located in street opposite to building of Yugoslav AF HQ. Before the WWII it was civil hospital, as well as after that. Cant help you with its german designation, but it is still where it used to be 60 years ago.

Boris

P.S. I'm very sentimental with it, since I was born there.