The French Red Cross (Croix Rouge Francaise - CRF) is a part of the International Red Cross Movement. It is committed to humanitarian aid, both within France and abroad. France was one of the first nations to sign the First Geneva Convention and set up the Relief Society to Military Wounded (SSBM) in 1864 under the leadership of Henri Dunant. The first use of the SSBM was during the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871), when, in addition to assisting the wounded and war-disabled, it provided support to widows and orphans of war dead. Following some infighting, two further organisations were formed: The French Association of Women (ADF) lead by Professor Duchaussoy in 1879 and the Women's Union of France (UFF) in 1881, under the directorship of Emma Koechlin-Schwartz.
Both associations worked mainly with civilians, even in peacetime; they were recognized by the International Committee as part of the Red Cross Movement and were therefore allowed use the emblem of the Red Cross, although from 1907 the actions of all organisations were co-ordinated by a central committee in order to best maximise the effectiveness of the services. An act was passed on 7th August 1940, which forced the merger of the various services to create the CRF. When World War One broke out, the SSBM was used by the military in the field, while the ADF and UFF remained behind the front.
When the Second World War began, the SSBM, UDF and UFF took on the same roles as they had during the previous war. Following the defeat of France, its occupation and the reorganisation of the French state, all three organisations were brought under the control of the CRF. Once the armed conflict had ceased, war activities gave way to civilian assistance services; however, this was hampered by supply problems due to the occupying German forces, which were stripping France of a lot of resources to support its war effort.
To view a CRF first aid kit, please click here
To view a SSBM/CRF ambulance drivers uniform, please click here.
To view a CRF uniform, click here.
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To view a SSBM/CRF ambulance drivers uniform, please click here.
To view a CRF uniform, click here.
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