American Ambulance Great Britain

Two members of the AAGB stand by their Austin K2/Y ambulance, waiting for casualties as rescue work takes place after a V-1 flying bomb strike in Upper Norwood in South London (1944)

American Ambulance, Great Britain was a humanitarian organization founded in 1940 by a group of Americans living in London for the purpose of providing ambulances and ambulance crews to the United Kingdom during World War 2. Funding came from private donations, both from Americans ex-patriots living in the United Kingdom and from the United States. The ambulance staff were British women and numbered around 400 ,[1] some of whom were seconded from the Mechanised Transport Corps.[2] They were issued with a Battle Dress uniform.[3]

American Ambulance, Great Britain eventually operated a fleet of around 300 vehicles.[1]

During the course of the war, three members of the organization were killed on active service. Two in London during the The Blitz of 1940-1941 and one in Exeter.[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 D. Collett Wadge (1946). Women in Uniform. Imperial War Museum. p. 386. ISBN 978-1-901623-61-1.
  2. ↑ Martin Brayley (20 July 2012). The British Home Front 1939-45. Osprey Publishing. p. 54. ISBN 978-1-78200-123-2.
  3. ↑ Brian Jewell (26 March 1992). British Battledress, 1937-61. Osprey Publishing. p. 21. ISBN 978-0-85045-387-4.
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