Paul Gartner served in the CBI Theater of World War II with the 44th Portable Surgical Hospital (PSH). He recorded many of the things he saw in a diary he kept almostv daily. The diary tells his story and that of the 44th PSH, forerunner of the MASH units. He saw action in all three countries as the 44th was one active assignment. Paul's son Don shared the photos here and also the 44th PSH story linked to at the end of this page. Scroll down or click any photo to advance to next

82nd General Hospital, Camp White, Oregon, Summer 1943.

82nd General Hospital Barracks 6, Camp White, Oregon, Summer 1943.

82nd General Hospital at Camp White, Oregon

82nd General Hospital, Camp White, Oregon, Summer 1943.

Paul photographed in uniform alone and with backpack

Paul (in center) with Army friends, Camp White, Oregon. Summer 1943.

Picnic near Camp White, Oregon. Summer 1943.

Kancharapara, India, The fellows in the picture are the survivors of the sinking of HMT Rohna. There were originally thirty-three members. February 1944.

Paul on Guard Duty. Burma, 1944.

Paul on right. Burma 1944.

Paul on right. Burma 1944.

Paul on right back row. Burma 1944.

Myitkyina, North Burma Paul on right. August 1944.

With Chinese troops and captured flag, August 1944.

Myitkyina, Burma, part of the 44th PSH outfit and area. Paul second row, first from right, August 1944.

"Part of us in foxhole during air raid. Two men pointing towards planes." September 1944. L. to R., F. Kempter, Paul, L. Dubravac, S. Druth, L. Dijsomper, R. Olney in back.

A Burmese family poses in their bombed out home. Summer 1944.

Myitkyina, Burma. One of the few buildings that was left standing is used as a post office. August 1944.

44th PSH, Tonkwa, Burma, Paul 3rd row, 2nd from left. December 1944.

44th PSH Underground Surgery, Tonkwa, Burma, December 1944

Burmese Temple which wasn't hit by the war. January 10, 1945.

"Hosa Valley Nawhkam, Burma. This scene I will never forget. Plenty of Americans lost their lives and were wounded on the hill on the right. You can see how bare it is from the constant shelling from the Japs. Beyond the hill is the Burma road." February 1945.

Members of the 44th Portable Surgical Hospital, Paul front row third from right. February 1945.

"Namtu, Burma - Two Kachin’s who led the ceremony after the Kachin were awarded by the Americans. Very seldom do white people see these ceremonies." Paul 2nd from right. April 1945.

Front row: Left to right, John Danforth, Anthony Mildner, Carl St. Germain, Back row: left to right, Harold Bartlett, Paul Gartner, Harvey Hintz, Stanley Tarka. Burma, April 1945.

Burma Road, "This part of the road has twenty-four turns. At the top you look over a beautiful valley." The soldier in the picture is unknown, but is believed to be a member of Paul’s Unit. May 1945.

Burma Road, May 1945.

Chihkiang, China. May 1945.

Taken in Sinwha, China. "These are Chinese coolies pulling supplies up stream. This was the only means of transportation in this section. There were no roads". June 1945.

Sinwha, China. Chinese coolies pulling up supplies. The task of pulling their boats up stream is very difficult. June 1945.

"That is our hospital in the background. May King is second from left in back row. The fellow in back of me is Marvin Ball who used to live in Reading. Very good friend of mine." Sinwha, China, August 1945

A closer look at the previous photo with May King and Marvin Ball. Sinwha, China, August 1945

Colonel Rich, Commanding Officer, 44th PSH.

Hengyang: The outskirts of the city. Chinese soldiers on right.

Further into the city

"A Jap pill box in the street"

"Part of the main street"

"Another pill box"

"Jap pill boxes are almost on every corner"

"The city was pretty in peacetime. The buildings very modern. Population was 500,000."

"Here come the Japs on foot and officers on horses"

"These pictures were taken after each other. They are very rare."

"A Jap officer leading his men. There were 30,000 Japs here when we arrived."

"Another Jap officer with his sword in his left hand"

"Here they are with rifles over their shoulders. I wasn't kidding, was I?"

"The Japs even hauled their ammunition with them"

"Some Chinese spectators look on as Japs pass by"

"In front of pic is a good view of Japs. Officers are all on horses. One colonel smiled at us."

Paul Gartner, Calcutta, India, Fall 1945.

Calcutta, India. Paul seated center. Fall 1945.

Paul Gartner Service Picture, Camp Grant, Rockford, Illinois, January 1943.

Paul Gartner (German born) United States Citizenship Document

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Photographs shared by Don Gartner     Presented by Carl W. Weidenburner     Copyright © 2024     Revised: