Women in the War Zone: Hospital Service in the First World War

By Anne Powell

In our collective memory, the First World War is dominated by men. The sailors, soldiers, airmen and politicians about whom histories are written were male, and the first half of the twentieth century was still a time when a woman's place was thought to be in the home. It was not until the Second World War that women would start to play a major role both in the armed forces and in the factories and the fields. Yet there were some women who were able to contribute to the war effort between 1914 and 1918, mostly as doctors and nurses. In Women in the War Zone, Anne Powell has selected extracts from first-hand accounts of the experiences of those female medical personnel who served abroad during the First World War. Covering both the Western and the Eastern Fronts, from Petrograd to Basra and from Antwerp to the Dardanelles, they include nursing casualties from the Battle of Ypres, a young doctor put in charge of a remote hospital in Serbia and a nurse who survived a torpedo attack, albeit with serious injuries. Filled with stories of bravery and kindliness, it is a book that honours the often unsung contribution made by the female doctors and nurses who helped to alleviate some of the suffering of the First World War.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The History Press
• Release date: Aug 26, 2001
• ISBN: 9780752469515

Reviews for Women in the War Zone

[juliette07_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This large tome comprises the writing, letters and diary entries that have been gleaned and bought together to provide a women's view of the suffering the First World War inflicted upon so many men. Naturally enough their very presence meant that many women suffered whilst holding the wide variety of roles of which this book bears witness.For me this was compelling reading and was an insight into the world and the role of women at the time. I had read fiction of the period, most notably Not So Quiet by Helen Z Smith and All Quiet on The western Front and this book complemented and enriched those reads. The women in question drove ambulances and suffered pretty badly with lack of sleep, poor diet and many of the deprivations of the men for whom they cared.What an immense tribute to all those women who committed and dedicated themselves to caring for the agonies induced by man's inhumanity to man during The Great War. The work bought together, after an almost indecent period of time the writings of many women, ranging widely and geographically - from Albania to France. The writings provide excellent pen portraits of women and I was quite dumbfounded when I read of how many had actually lived into my life time but had never 'told their story' or had it recognised so as to speak. I am left in aweful reverence for these largely unsung heroes. From a distance I can smile at the outrageous prejudice and pettiness many encountered. Overall an excellent book and highly recommended.

[rainpebble_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Women in the War Zone: Hospital Service in the First World War by Anne Powell; (4*)How enlightening this book was. I found it very interesting to read these women's accounts of their care giving of the wounded in WW I told in their own words and for the most part without sentiment. It was eye opening to read how they established the hospitals and how difficult it was to 'be allowed' to give medical care & assistance simply because they were women. Often the French Red Cross was the only accepting group for these women.I found such admiration for those who would carry hot chocolate & biscuits at night in the dark to the men in the trenches. And they carried on their duties with shelling going on over their very heads and through the rooms they were working in. Simply the feeding of the wounded seemed to me to be against nearly insurmountable odds but they managed.What heroes/heroines! A very good read and highly recommended if this is subject matter in which you are interested.