RED GROSS ABUSED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 250, 30 July 1940, Page 5

RED GROSS ABUSED

USE BY GERMAN SEAPLANES.

COMMUNICATION CRAFT.

WARNING SENT BY BRITAIN.

(United Press Association.—Copyrlgnt.? (Received This Day, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, July 29. An Air Ministry communique states: For some time past Royal Air Force aircraft hare observed German seaplanes painted white and marked with a red cross, flying over British convoys within a few miles oil the British coasts 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 and the other in the English Channel near Walnicr. The crews were made prisoners of war. The log book of one of the captured aircraft showed that under cover if the Red Cross emblem it had been used as a communication aircraft by GeneralMajor 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 following communication to he made through the proper channel for 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 the 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 transportation of the sick and wounded in accordance with the Red Cross Convention, and aircraft engaged in direct evacuation of the sick and wounded will be respected provided they comply with the relevant provisions of the Convention. His Majesty’s 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, or 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 company with enemy fighter patrols were shot down into the sea. by British fighters.—British Official Wireless;