Description
Railroads played an integral role in the Second World War. Trains brought food, munitions, and essential supplies. They transported troops. They were a means of escape for those fleeing persecution. At the same, they were used to transport innocent people to their deaths. Yet there was one kind of train that improved the chances of survival every time they rolled through the battle-worn towns and cities of the European theatre of war.
Hospital trains were not a new concept in the Second World War, but their use was instrumental in this most deadly conflict of the twentieth century. Regular passenger trains were converted into mobile emergency wards tending to the critically wounded. It was an elegant solution, as train cars could be refitted with tier beds, and supplies could be easily transported along with medical staff.
A Different Track introduces readers to the world of hospital trains of the Second World War. From the nurses who ran them to the factories that manufactured them, this book looks at how these trains quietly altered the fortunes of the world. From Canada's contributions to the role of women who both healed the sick and built the trains, this is a fascinating look at one of the hidden nuggets of history.
Author: Alexandra Kitty
Publisher: Heritage House
Published: 10/03/2023
Pages: 224
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.50lbs
Size: 6.90h x 5.00w x 0.70d
ISBN13: 9781772034578
ISBN10: 1772034576
BISAC Categories:
- History | Wars & Conflicts | World War II | European Theater
- Transportation | Railroads | History
- Medical | History