Belligerents: The opposite term to Non-Combatants. All soldiers are regarded as belligerents and have certain rights recognised by International Law. If captured in battle and taken on surrender their lives must be spared. The laws of war require that definite conditions shall be complied with before a man can be recognised as a belligerent. He must be commanded by a responsible leader, wear distinctive uniform, carry arms openly, and obey the laws and customs of war. The possible exception is where the population of unoccupied territory spontaneously take up arms to resist invading troops, in which case they are entitled to belligerent rights.
If people who are not actually in the army take it upon themselves to defend their own houses or workshops, they not only run the risk of being captured and shot, but the chances are that they will induce the enemy to take reprisals on the rest of the population. [1]
References / notes
- ↑ Various contributors (1914). The War Book-of-Facts. 2nd Edition. A.W. Shaw Company, London p.137.
Glossary of words and phrases
The above term is listed in our glossary of words and phrases of the Armed Forces of Great Britain during the Great War. Included are trench slang, service terms, expressions in everyday use, nicknames, the titles and origins of British and Commonwealth Regiments, and warfare in general. These words and phrases are contemporary to the war, which is reflected in the language used. They have been transcribed from three primary sources (see Contents). Feel free to expand upon and improve this content.
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