CNN announced yesterday that it will air “CNN Presents: Combat Hospital” on Veteran’s Day, Saturday November 11th, at 8pm ET…

Combat Hospital documents the story of five doctors, 14 nurses and 22 medics who treat casualties from U.S. and coalition forces as well as civilians and even insurgents in a building that Saddam Hussein once used for his own personal medical care. Presented without narration or scoring, this gritty close-up look at the American military’s frontline hospital starkly but respectfully depicts the daily 24-hour challenges that face the 10th Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad. Graphic video and natural sound reflect the reality of the chaos and heroism in a wartime emergency room: gunshot wounds, burns and the amputations and other devastating damage caused by improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

“There’s no way to save the leg?” asks a young soldier wounded by an IED.

“That left leg? No. That’s no. The right leg, absolutely,” replies Capt. David Steinbruner, M.D., as he prepares the patient for surgery. “Okay? I’m sorry. I can’t lie to you, okay?”

Filmed during 16 days of exclusive access to the “Mountain Medic” Combat Support Hospital by CNN Baghdad bureau chief Cal Perry and CNN senior photojournalist Dominic Swann with CNN’s Ryan Chilcote, Combat Hospital shows the bravery of wounded troops and the medical personnel who are daily challenged by the realities of wartime injuries, and also their own compassion and anguish when the medical outcomes are not good.

“We try not to follow up on the patients, and not really think too hard on what happens next,” admits Lt. Col. Robert Mazur, M.D. “That makes it a little easier to bear.”

Viewers also learn how the maturity and professionalism required in a combat emergency setting are hard-earned. A young nurse, Lt. Riane Nelson, R.N., talks ruefully about how she was “picked” to come to Iraq after being called to replace another nurse who became pregnant shortly before her tour of duty.

Nelson’s supervisor, head nurse Lt. Col. John Groves, describes the backstory of Nelson’s early inability to keep up with the requirements of their busy unit. Then, Nelson worked with other personnel to resuscitate a critical patient with CPR, saving her life. After that, says Groves, “her confidence skyrocketed.” By the time viewers meet Nelson, she is a self-assured and proficient team member, saving more lives during the program.

Outside of the emergency room, the unit tries to maintain some normalcy. Steinbruner’s son calls him each day before school, medics toss footballs and baseballs in the alley behind the hospital and the medical team celebrates Spc. Levi Ortmann’s 21st birthday.

“Three and one half years into the war with Iraq, there are a lot of questions about the war,” said Mark Nelson, vice president and senior executive producer of CNN Productions. “But the bravery of the men and women in combat – and those who save them – will inspire viewers who see this special, moving program.”

“This is the best hospital job in the world right now – not even because of the trauma…because of who we’re taking care of,” says First Lt. Matt Bowe, R.N.

Close to the end of the program, the film crew captures the arrival of 12 casualties during a few moments of relative quiet for the medical team on Memorial Day earlier this year. Four are already dead. Seven U.S. soldiers and CBS News correspondent Kimberly Dozier are critically injured and fighting for their lives. The team goes back to work; their trauma rooms are full again.

CNN Presents: Combat Hospital was produced by Cal Perry and Dominic Swann with Ryan Chilcote. The director/editor is Scott McGhee. Supervising producer is Jennifer Hyde. Mark Nelson is vice president and senior executive producer of CNN Productions.