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Poster, Red Cross hospital ship, WW1
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Poster, Red Cross hospital ship, WW1
First World War poster: What a Red Rag is to a Bull, the Red Cross is to the Hun. Showing a German U-boat torpedoing a clearly marked British hospital ship, which is what happened to HMHS Rewa on 4 January 1918, off the coast of Devon. Four engine men died in the initial explosion; the remaining crew and wounded men were able to get into lifeboats before she sank. The attack violated the Hague Convention, and caused outrage in Britain. Date: 1918
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Media ID 14123737
© Robert Hunt Library/Mary Evans
Bull Hmhs Submarine Torpedo Torpedoing January Rewa
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This powerful and evocative poster from the First World War era serves as a stark reminder of the brutal disregard for international law and humanitarian values during the conflict. The image depicts a German U-boat in the act of torpedoing a clearly marked British hospital ship, the HMHS Rewa, off the coast of Devon in January 1918. The Red Cross symbol adorning the hull of the vessel is a clear indication of its humanitarian mission, making the attack a flagrant violation of the Hague Convention. The explosion resulted in the deaths of four engine room crew members, but the remaining wounded soldiers and crew were able to escape in lifeboats before the ship sank. The attack on the Rewa caused widespread outrage in Britain and added to the growing sense of animosity towards the German military. This poster, with its bold and emotive design, was likely used to rally public support for the war effort and to highlight the barbaric actions of the enemy. The image serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of adhering to international law and humanitarian principles.
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