Hospital ships: Have you ever been tempted...

[Hendrik von Trapp]

I found a hospital ship and fixed my crosshairs on her. I can't convince myself to sink her. So, I just parked 900m alongside her and watched her sail by. She didn't bother directing her spotlights on me.

[Rammstein0991]

I agree, avoid shooting them at all costs, look at it this way. IF you sink a hospital ship you'd best hope they sink you before the war ends, otherwise your Kaleun will be getting a first class ticket to a charming little place called Nuremburg >.>

[Aktungbby]

Hospital ships were covered under the Hague Convention X of 1907. Article four of the Hague Convention X outlined the restrictions for a hospital ship:

• Ship must be clearly marked and lighted as a hospital ship
• The ship should give medical assistance to wounded personnel of all nationalities
• The ship must not be used for any military purpose
• The ship must not interfere with or hamper enemy combatant vessels
• Belligerents, as designated by the Hague Convention, can search any hospital ship to investigate violations of the above restrictions
• Belligerents will establish the location of a hospital ship

According to the San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea, a hospital ship violating legal restrictions must be duly warned and given a reasonable time limit to comply. If a hospital ship persists in violating restrictions, a belligerent is legally entitled to capture it or take other means to enforce compliance. A non-complying hospital ship may only be fired on under the following conditions:

• Diversion or capture is not feasible
• No other method to exercise control is available
• The violations are grave enough to allow the ship to be classified as a military objective
• The damage and casualties will not be disproportionate to the military advantage.

In all other circumstances, attacking a hospital ship is a war crime.
Modern hospital ships display large Red Crosses or Red Crescents to signify their Geneva convention protection under the laws of war. Even so, marked vessels have not been completely free from attack. Notable examples of hospital ships deliberately attacked during wartime are HMHS Llandovery Castle in 1915, the Armenia in 1941 and AHS Centaur in 1943. 23 hospital ships were sunk in WWII: complete lists with photos: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hospital_ships_sunk_in_World_War_II And oddly enough...23 hospital ships were also sunk in WWI http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hospital_ships_sunk_in_World_War_I So much for the rules of war! In both wars war crimes trial were held and the Japanese commander who sank the Australian hospital ship Centaur received 8 years. Mitigating consideration was given to whether the ship was properly marked and that Japanese hospital ships had been similarly attacked. BOTTOM LINE: based on real life: SINK "EM ALL!

[Rammstein0991]

Originally Posted by Aktungbby

Hospital ships were covered under the Hague Convention X of 1907. Article four of the Hague Convention X outlined the restrictions for a hospital ship:

• Ship must be clearly marked and lighted as a hospital ship
• The ship should give medical assistance to wounded personnel of all nationalities
• The ship must not be used for any military purpose
• The ship must not interfere with or hamper enemy combatant vessels
• Belligerents, as designated by the Hague Convention, can search any hospital ship to investigate violations of the above restrictions
• Belligerents will establish the location of a hospital ship

According to the San Remo Manual on International Law Applicable to Armed Conflicts at Sea, a hospital ship violating legal restrictions must be duly warned and given a reasonable time limit to comply. If a hospital ship persists in violating restrictions, a belligerent is legally entitled to capture it or take other means to enforce compliance. A non-complying hospital ship may only be fired on under the following conditions:

• Diversion or capture is not feasible
• No other method to exercise control is available
• The violations are grave enough to allow the ship to be classified as a military objective
• The damage and casualties will not be disproportionate to the military advantage.

In all other circumstances, attacking a hospital ship is a war crime.
Modern hospital ships display large Red Crosses or Red Crescents to signify their Geneva convention protection under the laws of war. Even so, marked vessels have not been completely free from attack. Notable examples of hospital ships deliberately attacked during wartime are HMHS Llandovery Castle in 1915, the Armenia in 1941 and AHS Centaur in 1943. 23 hospital ships were sunk in WWII: complete lists with photos: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hospital_ships_sunk_in_World_War_II And oddly enough...23 hospital ships were also sunk in WWI http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hospital_ships_sunk_in_World_War_I So much for the rules of war! In both wars war crimes trial were held and the Japanese commander who sank the Australian hospital ship Centaur received 8 years. Mitigating consideration was given to whether the ship was properly marked and that Japanese hospital ships had been similarly attacked. BOTTOM LINE: based on real life: SINK "EM ALL!

Yep, like I said, sink a Hospital and enjoy that trip to Nuremburg

[Gargamel]

Kudos for the necro! I had to read the thread to see if I had ever sunk one! I don't remember!

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Hendrik von Trapp

I found a hospital ship and fixed my crosshairs on her. I can't convince myself to sink her. So, I just parked 900m alongside her and watched her sail by. She didn't bother directing her spotlights on me.

IRL you'd have been in irons for more than the six years this thread has been dormant had you been found guilty of committing the act.

How about a compromise?

Off to the eastern front

[Rammstein0991]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

IRL you'd have been in irons for more than the six years this thread has been dormant had you been found guilty of committing the act.

How about a compromise?

Off to the eastern front

Depending on the loss of life I figure hanging would also be a consideration wouldn't it?

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Rammstein0991

Depending on the loss of life I figure hanging would also be a consideration wouldn't it?

Oh yes, most definitely worthy of being classified as a war crime.

[Sailor Steve]

Which is the bigger crime: Sinking a hospital ship or responding to a six-year-old thread?

[Rammstein0991]

Just means its a good'un