kids encyclopedia robot

Mobile Army Surgical Hospital facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
US Navy 021023-N-5329L-002 Capt. Mike Salmi Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) from the 212th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) Miesau, Germany, and Dilmurod local national Interpreter
U.S. Army soldiers and Dilmurod, a local interpreter, train Uzbek medical staff on a special anesthesia machine. This happened at the Fergana Emergency Center during Operation Provide Hope.

A Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, often called MASH, was a special kind of hospital used by the military during wars. These hospitals were set up close to where the fighting was happening. Their main job was to quickly treat soldiers who were badly injured in battle.

MASH units were a new idea compared to older field hospitals or regular hospitals. They were designed to be moved easily. This meant they could follow the troops and be ready to help injured soldiers very fast.

What Was a MASH Unit?

MASH stands for Mobile Army Surgical Hospital. The word "mobile" means it could move around. "Surgical" means they performed operations. These hospitals were like a small, fully equipped hospital that could be packed up and moved quickly.

They had doctors, nurses, and other medical staff. They also had operating rooms, X-ray machines, and places for soldiers to recover. The goal was to give injured soldiers life-saving care as soon as possible.

Why Were MASH Units Important?

MASH units played a huge role in saving lives during wars. They helped injured soldiers get medical attention much faster. This quick treatment often made the difference between life and death.

During the Korean War, MASH units were especially important. Thanks to their fast care, about 97% of injured soldiers who reached a MASH unit survived their injuries. This was a very high survival rate for the time.

Where Were MASH Units Used?

MASH units were first used during the Korean War (1950-1953). They proved to be very effective there. Later, they were also used in the Vietnam War and the first Gulf War.

Over time, military medicine changed. MASH units were slowly replaced by newer types of hospitals. Today, the military uses something called Combat Support Hospitals (CSHs). These CSHs do a similar job but with more modern equipment and methods.

MASH in Popular Culture

Many people know about MASH units because of a famous movie and TV show. The show was called M*A*S*H. It was a comedy-drama set in a MASH unit during the Korean War.

The show helped people understand what life was like for the doctors and nurses working in these hospitals. It showed both the serious and funny parts of their daily lives.

Images for kids

  • 8225th MASH personnel with H-13 helo in Korea 1951

    U.S. personnel and equipment needed to save a man's life are assembled at HQs of the 8225th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital, Korea, in 1951.

  • Wounded soldier arriving at the 8063rd MASH

    US Army medics move a wounded soldier on a stretcher from a 568th Medical Ambulance Company ambulance into a tent for treatment at the 8225th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH), Korea, September 1, 1951.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: MASH (hospital móvil quirúrgico del ejército) para niños

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Mobile Army Surgical Hospital Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.