Open city

In war, when enemy forces are close to capturing a city, the government or military forces in control of a city will sometimes declare it an open city, meaning they will not defend against or resist the attacking armies. The attacking armies will be expected to not to bomb or attack the city. This approach aims to prevent historic landmarks from being destroyed and civilians from being killed.

No resistance

An open city is not defended and not fortified. It is open to occupation by opposing forces with no resistance by the defenders.[1] Under International law an open city may not be bombed or subject to artillery attack.[1]

Attacking forces do not always respect cities that call themselves an "open city." Defensive forces may use it as a political tactic as well.[2] In some cases, the declaration of a city to be "open" is made by a side which is close to defeat. In other cases, the city could be defended but the defenders do not want the city to be destroyed.

World War II open cities

Several cities were declared open during World War II:

Open City Media

Related pages

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Adam Roberts, 'Undefended Towns', Crimes of War: What the Public Should Know, eds. Roy Gutman; David Rieff (New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 1999), p. 360
  2. Murphy, Paul I. and Arlington, R. Rene. (1983) La Popessa: The Controversial Biography of Sister Pasqualina, the Most Powerful Woman in Vatican History. New York: Warner Books Inc. ISBN 0-446-51258-3, p. 210
  3. 3.0 3.1 Katz, Robert (2007). "An Excerpt from The Battle for Rome: 'Open City'". theboot.it. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  4. "World War II Chronology 1944". Archived from the original on 19 February 2009.

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