GERMAN “RED CROSS” PLANES

Grey River Argus, 31 July 1940, Page 7

GERMAN “RED CROSS” PLANES

—- USED TO RECONNOITRE [British Official Wireless] RUGBY, July 29. Yesterday afternoon, two German seaplanes marked with the Red Cross, which approached the British coast m company with enemy fighter patrols, were shot down into the sea by British fighters. An Air Ministry communique states: For some time past, R.A.F. aircraft have observed German seaplanes, painted white and marked with the Red Cross, flying over British convoys within a few miles othe 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 and the other in the English Channel, near Walmer. The crews were made prisoners of war. The log book of 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 following communication to be 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 being civil markings and marked with the R.ed 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 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.”