Despite the strict neutrality of the Netherlands in the First World War, several ambulances were sent with the approval of the Dutch government, to the warring countries to help and care for the wounded. This also applied to the Central Powers. The initiative did not lie with the Netherlands Red Cross, but with a Central Committee, divided into 34 subcommittees that made ambulances to Gleiwitz and Olmütz possible on the basis of donations from doctors, associations and private individuals. Compared to the German field hospitals, the Dutch ambulance provided high-quality professional medical and hygienic care. This is evident from several sources, advice and physical support from Dutch surgeons to neighbouring German field hospitals, visits by German fellow doctors to the Dutch ambulance in Gleiwitz and the expressed appreciation of the German imperial couple.