Foreign Relations of the United States, Conferences at Washington and Quebec, 1943

J.C.S. Files

Paper Approved by the Combined Chiefs of Staff ¹

September 4, 1943

secret
Enclosure to C.C.S. 228/7

1. The Combined Chiefs of Staff have agreed that under present circumstances every effort be made to maintain immunity of hospital ships from attack.

2. The following policies are approved by the Combined Chiefs of Staff, but they shall not be communicated to the enemy except as stated in paragraph 3 below:

a. In order to acquire right to immunity at night, hospital ships must be illuminated continuously from sunset to sunrise.

b. In order to acquire right to immunity at night, the funnels and hulls of hospital ships must be illuminated from sunset to sunrise to show the red crosses, white painting and green band. Distinctive markings which must at all times be displayed on the decks for identification from the air must be similarly illuminated at night.

c. If markings are not illuminated at the time of an attack at night, no complaint can be entertained. It is not, however, illegal for a hospital ship to darken ship at her own risk on necessary occasions such as when lying in a port, passing through defensive minefields or in company with the fleet.

d. Any form of maneuvers or stratagems at sea such as practiced by naval vessels to deceive an enemy is not permitted to hospital ships, except when alteration of course is necessary in special circumstances to avoid compromising an operation.

e. A ship which has been designated as a hospital ship may carry the following:

(1) The regular personnel assigned to the ship.

*(2). Combatant, and noncombatant personnel attached to the armed forces only if wounded, sick, or shipwrecked, except that strictly medical corps personnel and personnel of an officially recognized relief society traveling either as units or as casuals may be carried for passage in either direction.

(3). Supplies incident to and for use on board the ship.

*(4). Regular medical supplies and equipment, exclusive of ambulances and all other vehicles.

(5). No other passengers, materials, mail, or stores may be carried.

f. A hospital ship in company with legitimate targets is not because of that fact a legitimate target for attack, but is placed in jeopardy and accepts the risk of accidental attack under such circumstances.

g. A hospital ship operating in the vicinity of military objectives accepts the risk of damage incidental to attacks upon the military objectives.

3. Having agreed to the above policies, either government may use the terms of that policy in independently lodging or answering protests concerning particular incidents always, however, keeping the other government fully advised of the proceedings. If a protest concerning the same incident is addressed by the enemy to both governments, consultation shall take place before a reply is made.

4. If any important change in the policies regarding hospital ships, other than those agreed upon above, is considered by either government, the proposal shall be submitted in full to the other prior to any communication with the enemy.

5. Any reprisals taken against Japan will not be extended to Germany and Italy unless the latter show solidarity with Japan, and shall in any case be the subject of prior consultation between governments before being put into effect.

1. This paper was circulated by the Secretaries of the Combined Chiefs of Staff as the enclosure to C.C.S. 228/7, September 4, 1943. Except for the addition of the words “attached to the armed forces” in paragraph 2 e (2) (which addition was approved by the Combined Chiefs of Staff at their 117th Meeting on September 3; see ante, p. 1202), the text is identical with that of C.C.S. 228/3, July 9, 1943.
2. These paragraphs therefore permit a medical unit with its equipment, less vehicles, to be transported to any theater of operations. [Footnote in the source text.]
3. These paragraphs therefore permit a medical unit with its equipment, less vehicles, to be transported to any theater of operations. [Footnote in the source text.]