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Health issue among Western Desert (Axis 'n Allies)

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Riter, Mar 12, 2024.

  1. Riter

    Riter Well-Known Member

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    I read Alf Blackburn's Wartime Memoirs and he mentions the water rationing of 1 pint a day. It wasn't any better for the DAK and the Italians.

    Does anyone know if the men who served there in any army had kidney stones later in life? I'd imagine it would be much higher for them since they couldn't hydrate as frequently.
     
    Riter, Mar 12, 2024
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  2. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    As far as my kidney stone excruciatingly experience, read "childbirth for a guy", I felt the pain within a few days/weeks of dehydration. Working in a factory across the aisle from heat-treat and high humidity plus the 106 degree temps does a number on ya. Once I escaped to another section haven't had a problem.
     
    Biak, Mar 12, 2024
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  3. GRW

    GRW Pillboxologist WW2|ORG Editor

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    [QUOTE="Riter, post: 895091, member: 46452"]I read Alf Blackburn's Wartime Memoirs and he mentions the water rationing of 1 pint a day. It wasn't any better for the DAK and the Italians.
    Does anyone know if the men who served there in any army had kidney stones later in life? I'd imagine it would be much higher for them since they couldn't hydrate as frequently.[/QUOTE]

    According to this, the daily ration was almost eight pints (one gallon) per man, though half of it went on other things. It's not much better.
    The struggle for North Africa, 1940-43 | National Army Museum (nam.ac.uk)
    I would imagine the sheer glare had an effect on their eyesight later in life. My old man was North Africa and Italy and had Glaucoma later in life, so did at least one of his two brothers who were also in the Med. They were all smokers as well though. Can't find any info on the subject, and I remember hearing at least one doctor saying there was no connection to dad being in the Tropics.
     
    GRW, Mar 12, 2024
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  4. CAC

    CAC Ace of Spades

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    [​IMG]
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    CAC, Mar 12, 2024
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  5. Riter

    Riter Well-Known Member

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    From page 16-17 of Alf Blackburn's Wartime Memoirs:

    Sounds like Alf and his mates has grounds to complain.

    I don't think the Afirka Korps was any better off. Today we place great empahsis on hydration and my admiration for the soldiers on both sides grows.
     
    Riter, Mar 14, 2024
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  6. OpanaPointer

    OpanaPointer I Point at Opana Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    "Arrakis is where you scrub your ass with sand. That's what they say, m'lord." Gurney Halleck.

    Had a bunch of WW2 (Brits) stay with us at Sigonella one year. They were veterans of HUSKY and we gave them a central location for their trips down "TAKE COVER" Lane. :cool:
     
    OpanaPointer, Mar 15, 2024
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