Commander Ken Kelly told AFP that the decision was made at a meeting of STPs, the first line of medical help for injured troops on the front, after fierce battles with Iraqi forces in Nasiriyah last week.

"STP ambulances that were displaying the red cross were clearly and significantly targeted by Iraqis armed with rocket-propelled grenade launchers," he said.

Under Geneva Conventions ambulance drivers have a choice of whether to fly the red cross. But they do not receive non-combatant status in conflict if the flag is not displayed and corpsmen are captured by opposing forces.

"It's not doing us any good to display the red cross," Kelly said. "For the Iraqis, we are a great target because if you take out our ability to care for our boys then that is bad for morale."

WAR.WIRE