Glasgow. 3rd. July 1937.
THE SCOTTISH AMBULANCES IN SPAIN
Sir,
Nothing very remarkable has happened to the Unit since its narrow escape near Toledo, when every ambulance was hit more than once, but not sufficiently damaged to prevent its returning to Madrid for repairs and renewals.
When the bombing planes passed over them the first time the personnel took shelter in make-shift dug-outs which they had previously prepared. The planes returned and machine-gunned them, but all escaped unhurt, although the parapets were plentifully spattered with lead.
The Madrilenos from the highest to the lowest have been delighted at the O.B.E. conferred on Miss Jacobsen, Commandant of the Unit, and even the children run after her in the streets crying "Salud, Valiente!"
I have a letter from Colonel Cerrada Fores, chief of the Army Medical Staff and of the State Sanitary Services, praising Miss Jacobsen and the members of the Unit for their assistance since October, in the first place to the wounded and sick soldiers, and secondly to the sick and starving civil population. Its material and moral help never failed, and it never shirked the dangers encountered in carrying out its high mission.
I have also a letter from Dr. Planelles, formerly head of the Army Medical Staff in Madrid, and since promoted to the Ministry of Education and Health at Valencia. He says it is a pleasure to him to tell of the unselfish and most meritorious work carried on from November till June by the Scottish Ambulances; in that period Madrid was suffering continuous attacks, but every time that the help and services of the Ambulances were called for, they were given at once to the entire satisfaction of the medical Staffs at the various fronts, even at moments of greatest difficulty and danger, putting constantly to the proof their grand discipline and enthusiasm for the mission entrusted to them.
By special invitation of Senor Azana, President of the Republic, Miss Jacobsen had an audience with His Excellency at Valencia last month and was congratulated on the noble work being carried out by the Scottish Ambulances, work for which he desired to thank her on