[The Dutch Red Cross and the ambulance for the Eastern Front Volunteers].

Abstract

The Netherlands between 1940 and 1945 offer a rare example of how humanitarian neutrality works during an occupation in wartime. The Red Cross theory of silence in case of violations of human rights or international law was combined with a Dutch Red Cross practice of rightwing, anti-communist sympathies and of obedience to political and military authorities. Consequently, 'to avoid an even worse scenario', in several instances co-operation with the German occupiers was chosen above abstinence. The main example of this attitude was the help in setting up an ambulance (a mobile hospital) for the SS Eastern-Front Volunteers (EVF), against the will of some members of the DRC-board, who claimed the work of this ambulance would be all but neutral or humanitarian. But in the eyes of the most important decision-makers, medical aid was always neutral and humanitarian. Therefore the Red Cross could not do otherwise than to respond favorably to the request of the EFV. When reports were received on 'the good' the ambulance did in Southern Russia, the DRC was proud. This proves how easily a policy of medical neutrality can in times of war alter in a policy that is in fact all but neutral. After the war a discussion was started on how medical neutrality should be achieved in times of occupation. Some defended the idea that in such cases national interest should prevail above medical neutrality. However, although guidelines were set up, this position was not embraced. Medical neutrality remained the primary goal of the Dutch Red Cross, also in times of war and occupation.