Beatrice Wachter (1906-1979) from Philadelphia, PA married Harry Wachter, a circulation agent with the Philadelphia Daily News, in 1931. She enlisted with the Army Nurse Corps at the age of 37 on June 7, 1943 and arrived in Europe on March 11, 1944. She served with the 51st Field Hospital in the campaigns of Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe, and returned home on November 29, 1945. She received a Certificate of Merit:"With unselfish disregard for her own comfort and safety, Lt. Wachter contributed immeasurably to the care and well being of the many seriously wounded patients of the 51st Field Hospital in France, Belgium and Germany"
Detailed film condition and transfer report from Brodsky and Treadway in departmental files.
Two women sunbathe while other personnel of the 51st Field Hospital relax at camp, either in Belgium or Germany in early fall 1944 [The 51st Field Hospital entered Belgium on September 9 and Roetgen, Germany on September 16]. Beatrice digs a hole, perhaps a latrine (probably not a foxhole since there is no combat). A soldier plays a violin and sings by the hole. 01:15:21 51st Field Hospital personnel pose for the camera. Ruins of buildings in the countryside. Pan across the landscape and the remains of buildings, including one still smoldering and an untouched church. Some civilians in BG as members of the corps pose and walk toward the camera. Pan of an estate and gardens. 01:16:32 At dawn or dusk, caravan of vans bearing the Red Cross insignia and other military vehicles with soldiers waving to camera move along a road (dark shots).
51st Field Hospital at camp, visiting ruins, and advancing into Belgium or Germany