The Olympic Games and World War

Olympic Games Abandoned Due to War During World War I and World War II the following Olympic games were abandoned: World War I: 1916 Summer Olympics. World War II: 1940 Summer Olympics. 1940 Winter Olympics. 1944 Summer Olympics. 1944 Winter Olympics. Refer to the 1952 Inter-Camp POW Olympics, the 1936 Summer Olympics, and the 1936… Read More

What was the 1952 Inter-Camp POW Olympics?

Introduction The 1952 Inter-Camp P.O.W. Olympics (Chinese: 1952年战俘营奥运会; 碧潼战俘营奥运会), also known as Inter-Camp POW Olympic Games, was a mock Olympic Games held at the Pyuktong Prisoner-of-War Camp (碧潼战俘营) of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army during the Korean War. The athletes were all United Nations (UN) Prisoners of War (POWs). It was often used as a… Read More

What is Wounded in Action?

Introduction Wounded in Action (WIA) describes combatants who have been wounded while fighting in a combat zone during wartime, but have not been killed. Background Typically, it implies that they are temporarily or permanently incapable of bearing arms or continuing to fight. Generally, the Wounded in Action are far more numerous than those killed. Common… Read More

What is Missing in Action?

Introduction Missing in action (MIA) is a casualty classification assigned to combatants, military chaplains, combat medics, and prisoners of war who are reported missing during wartime or ceasefire. They may have been killed, wounded, captured, executed, or deserted. If deceased, neither their remains nor grave has been positively identified. Becoming MIA has been an occupational… Read More

What is Killed in Action?

Introduction Killed in action (KIA) is a casualty classification generally used by militaries to describe the deaths of their own combatants at the hands of hostile forces. Background The United States Department of Defence, for example, says that those declared KIA need not have fired their weapons but have been killed due to hostile attack.… Read More

What is an Enemy Combatant?

Introduction An enemy combatant is a person who, either lawfully or unlawfully, engages in hostilities for the other side in an armed conflict. Usually enemy combatants are members of the armed forces of the state with which another state is at war. In the case of a civil war or an insurrection “state” may be… Read More

What is a Non-Combatant?

Introduction Non-combatant is a term of art in the law of war and international humanitarian law to refer to civilians who are not taking a direct part in hostilities; persons, such as combat medics and military chaplains, who are members of the belligerent armed forces but are protected because of their specific duties (as currently… Read More