ABUSE OF RED CROSS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21178, 30 July 1940, Page 6

ABUSE OF RED CROSS

USED FOR MILITARY PURPOSES WARNING BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT NOTIFICATION TO GERMAN & ITALIAN AUTHORITIES (Official Wireless) (Received July 30, 1 p.m.) RUGBY, July 29 An Air Ministry communique states: For some time Royal Air I orce aircralt have observed German seaplanes painted white and marked with a Red Cross flying over British convoys, within a few miles of the British coast. These aircraft, which are fitted with wireless, are known to have made valuable reconnaissances on behalf of the enemy and to have been used for general salvage purposes. Early in July two such aircraft were forced down, one a few miles from Hartlepool, the other in the English Channel, near W aimer. The crews were made prisoners of war. The log book ol one captured aircraft showed that under cover of the Red Cross emblem it had been used as a communication aircraft by General Major Tittel, commander of an infantry division, and his adjutant, and also that it had been used to make bogus war films for the German war news service. In view of this His Majesty’s Government has caused the follow ing communication to be made through the proper channel (or transmission to the German and Italian Governments: — “ It has come to the notice of the British Government that enemy aircraft bearing civil markings and marked with a Red Cross have recently flown over British ships at sea and in the vicinity of the British coast and are being employed for purposes which the Government cannot regard as being consistent with the privileges generally accorded to the Red Cross. His Majesty’s Government desires to accord ambulance aircraft reasonable facilities for the transportation of sick and wounded in accordance with the Red Cross Convention and aircraft engaged in the direct evacuation of sick and wounded w ill he respected provided they comply with the relevant provisions of the convention. The Government, however, is unable to grant immunity to such aircraft flying over areas where operations are in progress on land or at sea or approaching British or Allied territory in British occupation or British or Allied ships. Ambulance aircraft which do not comply with these requirements do so at their own risk and peril.” Yesterday afternoon two German seaplanes, marked with the Red Cross, which approached the British Coast in the company of enemy fighter patrols, were shot down into the sea by British fighters.