Sanitation at the airfields

[margaret smith]

I know that sanitation conditions in the trenches was simply awful to say the least but was it any better at the airfields? Has anyone read anything about this subject?

[stephen]

I've read that several of them had genuine outhouses... a real improvement over the trenches.

[Purser]

Certainly the British Army had established standards (based on many years experience!) of sanitation in the field, and especially at semi-permanent locations. Hygiene was regarded as important, and ranged from facilities such as "thunder boxes" through to care of feet.

The number of latrines to be proved was based on a rate per number of officers and men (separate of course), their location, and also contruction (down to dimensions of the trenches).

Or, as L/Cpl Jones so memorably says in one episode of the British comedy series "Dad's Army" (see - www.dadsarmy.co.uk) " Now I know what the shovels were for! ".

About the best source if you want details would be one of the British Army Manuals for the period. Perhaps the National Army Museum could help - email is - info@national-army-museum.ac.uk

[Cigogne]

Col. (ret) Stephen Ruffin, wrote two articles about health related issues in Over The Front a couple of years back or so. There was some info in there about sanitation, etc.

[TomVrille]

As it happens, I just recently found a rather detailed description of 24 Squadron's sanitary facilities at Conteville. This from Combat Report by Bill Lambert:

"The facility used for answering our calls of nature was a trench about three feet wide by the same depth and ten feet long. This ditch was enclosed by a screen of canvas on poles. A seat made of a plank, possibly two inches by six inches (and very rough), was mounted eighteen inches above the pit. For privacy, dividing pieces of canvas made it an 'eight-holer'. If one did not maintain proper longitudinal balance in that cockpit one could be in trouble."

A vivid description of what sort of trouble one might experience followed:

"...I was seated in one of those private booths when a strange pilot walked in and took a seat right next to me. He introduced himself and we sat there talking. He had just ferried in a new S.E.5 from the Depot.
About 1000 feet above and in front of us someone was turning an S.E. inside-out. At first we could sit in a normal position and watch him but he drifted farther and farther overhead until he was behind us. I stopped watching him at this point as there was no back support. Not so my companion. Suddenly there was a splashing crash followed by a lot of profanity and a shout: 'Help! Get me out of here'. I looked around the canvas partition. There, at the bottom of that pit, lay the 'ferry pilot' on his back, his feet in the air! .... He sure was a mess."

So there you have it. Diorama modelers take notice if you want to add a bit of unique realism to your next effort!

Stepping up to WW II temporarily: WE had these five-man pyrimidals while in Wales. At night the tent flaps were tied together to keep out the damp and chilly Welsh climate. One night one of our crew suddenly got nature's call. We could hear him groping around trying to find the ties. finally we heard metallic noises and a groan. The next morning, Suhprahze! Suhprahze!! he had given up and unloaded in his sleeping neighbor's helmet!

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Margaret Smith:
A variety of latrines were used from a fancy 8 holer to slit trenches where were a trench about a foot wide and 5 to 6 feet deep and about 10 ft. long. when an unit would would move into a new bivouac area, those soldiers who had fouled up, were given the excretion detail, they dug the lit trenches.The dirt from the hole was piled up on one side with a shovel or an entrenching tool (small shovel carried by every soldier.) On the opposite side was a few rolls of toilette paper secured in place with a tent peg. When you had finished, you covered the mess with dirt. When the trench was refilled, those on the excretion detail, dug a new trench. i was in an Infantry company one time and was new to the company, and I was put on the excretion detail. You realise it was not called the excretion detail.
In WWII for some reason only Officers got toilette paper and the enlisted men used newspaper, comic books, never slick high quality magazines. If the soldier was enterprising he would secure a roll of toilette paper and keep it with him for his personal use. Best to do this after taking a shower. I never met a soldier who had his rank tatooed on his shouders or upper arms. If questioned, you tell him you just got in unit and was in the process of settling in. It is best if you go to a different unit, not yours.
To use this facility, you straddled the trench, and squatted down, did you duty and with great care you cleaned up. The worst situation was to those who did not have a good sense of balance. It is difficult to climb out of a hole 5 to 6 feet deep with a soft base. These were the most common type of latrines and were used by all nations.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

[margaret smith]

Gee Dan, this description makes you really appreciate civilian life. I probably would have been one of the first ones to fall in!

[Vin]

One of episodes of the BBC series Wings, the subject of another thread currently running, shows a field latrine as background. What you see is the shoulder high canvas-hessian surround and walkway.

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Vin:
Those curtains were called "modesty curtains. You would find them surrounding the Officer's Latrine. Enlisted men were not deemed modest, so they did not get the curtains. The real danger was walking around at night and not being familiar with the aera.
Blue skies,
Dan-San.
Blue skies,