HISTORY: Each Division in the German Army of WWII had Divisional Support units which included a medical unit that normally consisted of two companies, a mobile field hospital and two ambulance platoons. Within these medical units EM’s and Junior NCO’s with basic medical training acted as medical orderlies or stretcher bearers under the command of Doctors with Officers ranks. The German army also maintained static hospitals in the rear areas for those with more severe wounds and those with the most serious injuries that would require long rehabilitation times would be sent to a hospital in their home military recruiting district within Germany. Generally the German field units preferred to care for their own wounded as much as possible as a convalescents transferred to a rear area static military or home military district hospital could potentially be dispatched to a new unit on their recovery. As a result most of the Divisional medical support units maintained a generous supply of medical equipment and accessories to provide the most favorable "in-house" care as possible. Among the medical equipment and accessories were specific medical pouches for EM/NCO’s Kragenträger, (stretcher bearers), and Sanitäts, (Medical personnel), and additional pouches for medical Officers.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Molded, mid-brown leather construction officer’s medical pouch with steel fittings is roughly, 20cm x 16cm x 5cm. The pouch features a fold back top flap with dual, stitched on, vertical closure straps with a stud eyelet to each. The closure straps affix to two steel studs positioned on the front body of the pouch for a secure closure. The reverse panel of the pouch has a leather reinforced steel "D" ring to each top corner for a shoulder carrying strap. The shoulder carrying strap is absent. The pouch has a relatively unique opening in which the top flap is attached to the reverse panel with internal folding triangular flaps to each side. Internal compartment complete. Issue markings to the rear and the internal of the top lid as shown in images.