Chapter Ere, wie ere toekomt : Het (burger)zieken- en gewondenvervoer door afdelingen van het Nederlandse Rode Kruis in het interbellum

Abstract

Although the Central Board of the Dutch Red Cross did not purchase ambulances after World War I, various local departments became interested in acquiring and operating an ambulance. They hoped to increase the visibility of the Red Cross, draw attention to their mission, and provide their personnel with the opportunity to prepare for the still-important wartime tasks. During the interwar period, only nine out of dozens of local departments of the Red Cross took the step to establish an ambulance service, usually supported by enthusiastic volunteers, local businesses, benefactors, and local authorities. This movement started at the grassroots level, but it soon received moral and financial support from the Head Committee. Furthermore, the Board allowed companies to display the Red Cross emblem on their ambulances, provided that the vehicles would be made available to the Red Cross in wartime situations. In this way, the organization became modestly involved in the transportation of civilians.