Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Barrett
Disclaimer: I'm not saying that ambulance aircraft were never used in WW I (with or without red crosses) but it's unlikely simply because there were so few suitable planes for the purpose. Certainly, service type aircraft coulda been used on occasion to move casualties one or perhaps two at a time, but a/c dedicated to the purpose would be a novelty. And why would they be operating over the lines? Makes no sense.
I hope that Tony F did tart up HG's white D.VII. Modelers rejoice!  |
The French (and I think Italians) definitely had ambulance aircraft with red cross markings - since the last time this topic came up I've noticed a handful of photos showing them, although presumably they'd be fairly unusual. A red cross on a white background would be instantly recognisable to anyone as something medical. I think this alone would make its use on a combat plane hugely unlikely so, for me, any supporting evidence would have to be really solid - far more so than usual.
The descriptions say in one instance 'looked like' which doesn't sound too definitive to me and 'covered with red crosses' which could be something else if as Mike says it appears in several combat reports, not to mention the possibility they probably spoke to each other about the mission before giving the report and so may have strengthened what might have been only a vague impression.
As in the original discussion on this I remain unconvinced - simply due to the fact that the particulat combination amounts to using Red Cross markings. I'm not suggesting the aircraft was an ambulance plane, just that the red crosses were never there (at least not as national markings).
Have fun
Finn