🤔 Did you know what the so-called "Hospital Cities" were?
On April 21, 1945, the OKW issued a directive prohibiting the creation of "hospital cities", a proposal promoted by the International Red Cross to establish combat-free zones in Germany.
The German High Command feared that these zones would demoralize the troops, allowing them to take refuge instead of continuing to fight. Therefore, Wilhelm Keitel categorically prohibited their implementation, as well as any negotiation with the enemy on the matter.
The directive stated:
1-No German city will be considered hospital nor will there be medical zones.
2- Any discussion on the subject is prohibited, especially among medical officers.
3- The troops must be informed immediately.
The fact that this directive was issued suggests that in the days leading up to it, the International Red Cross had contacted Germany via Sweden or Switzerland, raising the possibility of establishing "hospital cities". These areas would have been combat-free zones, where civilians and wounded could take refuge, in an attempt to reduce humanitarian suffering in the final stretch of the conflict. However, this idea was viewed with suspicion by the German High Command.
With this directive, the Third Reich reaffirmed its policy of total resistance, even in the final moments of the war.
War Academy
🤔 Did you know what the so-called "Hospital Cities" were?
On April 21, 1945, the OKW issued a directive prohibiting the creation of "hospital cities", a proposal promoted by the International Red Cross to establish combat-free zones in Germany.
The German High Command feared that these zones would demoralize the troops, allowing them to take refuge instead of continuing to fight. Therefore, Wilhelm Keitel categorically prohibited their implementation, as well as any negotiation with the enemy on the matter.
The directive stated:
1-No German city will be considered hospital nor will there be medical zones.
2- Any discussion on the subject is prohibited, especially among medical officers.
3- The troops must be informed immediately.
The fact that this directive was issued suggests that in the days leading up to it, the International Red Cross had contacted Germany via Sweden or Switzerland, raising the possibility of establishing "hospital cities". These areas would have been combat-free zones, where civilians and wounded could take refuge, in an attempt to reduce humanitarian suffering in the final stretch of the conflict. However, this idea was viewed with suspicion by the German High Command.
With this directive, the Third Reich reaffirmed its policy of total resistance, even in the final moments of the war.
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