by

What is a War of Aggression?

Introduction A war of aggression, sometimes also war of conquest, is a military conflict waged without the justification of self-defence, usually for territorial gain and subjugation. Wars without international legality (i.e. not out of self-defence nor sanctioned by the United Nations (UN) Security Council) can be considered wars of aggression; however, this alone usually does… Read More

by

What is Trench Warfare?

Introduction Trench warfare is a type of land warfare using occupied fighting lines largely comprising military trenches, in which troops are well-protected from the enemy’s small arms fire and are substantially sheltered from artillery. Trench warfare became archetypically associated with World War I (1914 to 1918), when the Race to the Sea rapidly expanded trench… Read More

by

Guinness World Records & the Military

In the 2020 edition of the Guinness World Records there are a range of military and military-orientated records: Shortest War (p.176): On 27 August 1896, Britain and Zanzibar (now part of Tanzania) officially went to war at 09.00 am. The conflict ended after 45 minutes with Zanizbar having suffered approximately 500 casualties. First Use of… Read More

by

Cruelty and Bad Faith in Military Engagements

The law of war not only disclaims all cruelty and bad faith concerning engagements concluded with the enemy during the war, but also the breaking of treaty obligations entered into by belligerents in time of peace and avowedly intended to remain in force in case of war between the contracting powers. It disclaims all extortion… Read More

by

What is Military Necessity?

“Military necessity justifies a resort all the measures which are indispensable for securing this object and which are not forbidden by the modern laws and customs of war.” (US Army, 1914, p.14). What military necessity admits of (General Order 100, 1864, Article 16): Military necessity admits of all direct destruction of life or limb of… Read More