The WWII rules for the Convention for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armies in the Field. Geneva, 27 July 1929 say:As a matter of interest, are Red Cross marked vehicles allowed to travel in convoy with military vehicles, or must they always be separate?
The current rules -- the Convention (I) for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and Sick in Armed Forces in the Field. Geneva, 12 August 1949 -- say:CHAPTER II
MEDICAL FORMATIONS AND ESTABLISHMENTS
Art. 6. Mobile medical formations, that is to say, those which are intended to accompany armies in the field, and the fixed establishments of the medical service shall be respected and protected by the belligerents.
Art. 7. The protection to which medical formations and establishments are entitled shall cease if they are made use of to commit acts harmful to the enemy.
Art. 8. The following conditions are not considered to be of such a nature as to deprive a medical formation or establishment of the protection guaranteed by Article 6:
1. That the personnel of the formation or establishment is armed, and that they use the arms in their own defence or in that of the sick and wounded in charge;
2. That in the absence of armed orderlies the formation or establishment is protected by a piquet or by sentries;
3. That small arms and ammunition taken from the wounded and sick, which have not yet been transferred to the proper service, are found in the formation or establishment;
4. That personnel and material of the veterinary service are found in the formation or establishment, without forming an integral part of the same.
(2)CHAPTER III
Medical Units and Establishments
ART. 19. — Fixed establishments and mobile medical units of the Medical Service may in no circumstances be attacked, but shall at all times be respected and protected by the Parties to the conflict.
Should they fall into the hands of the adverse Party, their personnel shall be free to pursue their duties, as long as the capturing Power has not itself ensured the necessary care of the wounded and sick found in such establishments and units.
The responsible authorities shall ensure that the said medical establishments and units are, as far as possible, situated in such a manner that attacks against military objectives cannot imperil their safety.
* * * * *
ART. 22. — The following conditions shall not be considered as depriving a medical unit or establishment of the protection guaranteed by Article 19:
1. That the personnel of the unit or establishment are armed, and that they use the arms in their own defence, or in that of the wounded and sick in their charge.
2. That in the absence of armed orderlies, the unit or establishment is protected by a picket or by sentries or by an escort.
3. That small arms and ammunition taken from the wounded and sick and not yet handed to the proper service, are found in the unit or establishment.
4. That personnel and material of the veterinary service are found in the unit or establishment, without forming an integral part thereof.
5. That the humanitarian activities of medical units and establishments or of their personnel extend to the care of civilian wounded or sick.
There's no difference if the ambulances are marked, but if they're travelling in convoy with other military vehicles, there may be a problem (see above provisions of the treaties)And is there any legal difference between an all-white ambulance bearing a Red Cross driving on its own, and a camouflaged military vehicle bearing a prominent red cross travelling in convoy with other military vehicles?
(3)
The treaties don't provide any dimensions for the insignia, except that they be prominently marked on the vehicles or facilities.How big do the red crosses have to be and how displayed in order to attract legal protection?