TRANSPORTATION OF THE WOUNDED DURING THE RUSSO-TURKISH WAR OF 1877 – 1878

In the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, the Ottoman Empire encountered difficulties in transporting the wounded and sick soldiers. The difficulties were generally due to the insufficient transportation infrastructure, the lack of an effective mobilization plan, as well as an unawareness of the importance of military health organization. In order to overcome the difficulties, help was requested from foreign countries and Red Cross associations. During the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, Great Britain provided great support to the Ottoman armies in transporting their patients. The British especially established transportation systems on highways and railways. Experiences gained in this war constituted an important field practice for patient transport for the British officers who published their observations at the end of the war. Undoubtedly, this practice provided a substantial contribution to both the development of Great Britain's own patient transportation system and the course of wars fought in the East