The Macy reports: Combat fatigue in World War II fliers

Having supported psychiatric investigation into the psychosomatic aspects of "war neurosis" since 1931, the Josiah Macy, Jr., Foundation published five volumes on combat fatigue and its prophylaxis, recognition, treatment, and administrative aspects during World War II. The five volumes were as follows: "War Neuroses in North Africa," by R. R. Grinker and J. P. Spiegel (1943); "Psychiatric Experiences of the Eighth Air Force," by D. W. Hasting, D. G. Wright, and B. G. Glueck (1944); "How Can the Flight Surgeon Better Treat Anxiety?" by D. D. Bond, and "Notes on Men and Groups Under Stress of Combat," by D. G. Wright (a single volume, 1945); "Personality Disturbances in Combat Fliers," by N. A. Levy (1945); and "Observations on Combat Flying Personnel," by D. G. Wright (1945). The author corresponded with Drs. Spiegel, Grinker, Glueck, and Levy about the circumstances leading to these monographs, and has combined their reminiscences and observations with a brief historical view of psychiatric practice in the U.S. Army Air Force during the war. This review contrasts two therapeutic philosophies concerning combat fatigue, and comments on the lack of more modern psychiatric data about combat flying.