Red Cross Trucks/Vehicles - WW2

[JB2501]

Hello,

I'm looking for some information on ICRC (Red Cross) vehicles in Germany and Poland in 1945 during the periods of liberation of the various forms of prisoner camps run by the Nazi government. 

Firstly, did the Red Cross use the "white angel" 6x6 trucks during this period? If so, does anyone know what markings these trucks would have? Would the cross with 'ICRC' by included on the top cover canvas?

Secondly, were these larger trucks used to transport supplies AND people, or just the former?

Does anyone know what the Red Cross CARS would look like too? And the appropriate markings? 

If anyone has any images of either the cars of the trucks, I would be very grateful to see!

Thanks for help in advance

[MatchFuzee]

"The Prisoner of War May 1945" 

The official journal of the Prisoners of War Department of the Red Cross and St John War Organisation. This edition covers the Editors comments, Repatriation Arrangements, Liberation comes to Stalag IXA

To see the whole of "The Prisoner of War May 1945" click on the image in the link. I haven't read it so I don't know if it will be helpful. 

https://ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collections/document/22592

[Patrice DEBUCQUOY]

Hi JB,

Here are some photos of CICR vehicles in Germany 45.

And yes the return trip was often with POWs or displaced persons or like here deportees from Ravenbrück :

Hope it helps,

Patrice.

[Citroman]

They all have civil license plates from the Swiss Kanton of Geneva .

[Rootes75]

Quite a range of vehicles just in those few shots.

[Patrice DEBUCQUOY]

Hello again,

 

Just a point, there were 2 routes for the ICRC trucks : one from the North with trucks registered in Sweden (mainly Volvos and some GMCs) and the Southern one from Geneva with Geneva registrations and the "CH" oval shield at the rear.

A point to note : GMC AFKWX353s had their front and rear lights moved +/- 25cm to the sides and had blinkers mounted on posts (I think to conform with the Swiss traffic regulations).

Here is my rendition 1/35

Patrice.

[Smithy]

Thanks for sharing these images, I hadn't seen a good deal of them before. Has anyone who owns one of these vehicle models ever displayed them as such? Would make an interesting change. 

[ltwtbarmy]

Some more pictures of vehicles in 1945. Incidentally, I noticed that some of the pictures above are from the same sources. Great putting them up, not so great without acknowledging the source.

https://avarchives.icrc.org/Picture/14722

https://avarchives.icrc.org/Picture/14734
https://avarchives.icrc.org/Picture/14743

https://avarchives.icrc.org/Picture/14744

https://avarchives.icrc.org/Picture/14746

https://avarchives.icrc.org/Picture/14747

Edited December 31, 2021 by ltwtbarmy
More pictures, credits, and pointing out lack of manners.