German medical vehicle ‘Krankenpanzerwagen’ (Sd.Kfz.251/8 Ausf.A) with medical personnel 1/35 ICM-35114

Wehrmacht platoons, companies and battalions included combat medics who provided direct medical assistance to the wounded. Infantry companies also had medical service NCOs, and at battalion level, a military doctor (Assistenzarzt or Oberarzt) was responsible for centralized medical care. Wehrmacht combat medics were also responsible for evacuating the wounded to first aid or collection points. For evacuation, armored transports could be used, among them a special medical armored vehicle designated as Sd.Kfz.251/8 or ‘Krankenpanzerwagen‘. This armored transport could carry several wounded and had special stretchers and seats inside. In addition, semicircular rails were installed on top of the hull for a canopy to protect from the weather. The armored medical transports were part of the headquarters company (Stabskompanie). To visually differentiate themselves from standard vehicles, these transports carried large signs with a red medical cross.