Salvian Code of conduct on the Enemy Combatant

[Kardika 1057]

 

Salvian Frontier Army Field Manuel:
Code of conduct on the enemy combatant

 

Published in the year 278 sa

 

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Foreword

 

It has come to the attention of the office of the Governor-Marshall (acting executive at this time), that the code of conduct of New Salvo’s frontier army has not been properly defined, particularly pertaining to the apprehension and treatment of enemy combatants and civilians. In addition, the aggressive war of conquest pursued by Imperial Burgundy has given reason for the office of the Governor-Marshall to believe it will result in a protracted asymmetrical conflict if the republic is to lose all of her territorial possessions. Lastly it is the regret of the office of the Governor-Marshall that the previous lack of conduct codes led to the brutal treatment of captured combatants during the conflicts on Aevos. Due to these reasons, the office of the Governor-Marshall will hereby clarify the codes of conduct on the enemy combatant. This manual will pertain only to the treatment of combatants/civilians in the context of Guerilla operations within enemy territory and occupied lands of the Republic.

 

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CHAPTER I. Defining Combatants, civilians, and ‘sympathizers’

Spoiler

1. Combatant: In the eyes of the Republic a combatant is broadly defined as any individual which actively partakes or intends to partake in hostilities against the republic, her people, and her interests. Any and all Descendants that refuse or intend to refuse the lawful orders of the republic are also considered to be combatants.

 

1. Lawful Combatants: those bearing clear identification of their military organization, bearing arms or armor, and react with hostility towards the republic and her people.

 

2. Unlawful Combatants: those that do not bear any clear identifications of their military organization, but do bear arms and or armor with attempt to conceal their identity, and react with hostility towards the republic and her people.

 

2. Enemy Civilians: In the eyes of the republic civilians are defined as individuals that reside in lands which actively partake or intend to partake in hostility against the republic, her people, and her interests. Should a civilian bear arms and armor against the republic and her people they will be considered a combatant. The Frontier army and the ranger corps are to identify the social status of the civilians to gauge their value as POWs.

 

1. Common-born: those who must toil for their survival and livelihood, such as the Imperial serf, or the norlandic thrall.

 

2. High-born: those that are born into their station and wealth, those who have never known the trials and struggles of the Common-born. I.e., gentry, landed knights, Aristocracy, nobility, etc…

 

3. Hostile Collaborators: those of common birth that work at the behest of Aristocracy. I.e., appointed military officers or administrative officials of common-birth.

 

3. ‘Sympathizers’: In the eyes of the republic, sympathizers are any and all descendants that are ideologically aligned with the republic and her interests but are hindered by station and circumstance into action.

 

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Chapter II. Engagement of Combatants and civilians on the field

Spoiler

1. Combatants: When engaging an enemy combatant it is customary to order their surrender before hostility begins, if the foe is ambushed, surrounded, and outnumbered. The order of surrender should only be given twice, once at the start of combat and then again when the foe has been thoroughly battered. Should the combatant refuse both calls for surrender their life is forfeit and it is up to the commanding officer of the posse to determine if they are to be captured or slain.

 

1. On Looting: After the combatant has been subdued, the forces of the republic are to loot their person and requisition any and all resources deemed useful which are; arms and armor, ammunition, food items, mineral and herbal resources, minas. Personal items are to remain in the possession of the combatant, unless they are of strategic or tactical value to the republic; such is to be determined by the commanding officer.

 

2. On capture and Release on the Field: The presiding commanding officer should decide if the capture of the defeated combatant is worth pursuing. If capture is decided the combatant is to be bound and brought back to friendly territory. During this they should not be needlessly harmed nor maimed unless circumstances necessitate such. If the defeated combatant is to be released they should not be needlessly harmed either. The commanding officer may choose to inflict a noticeable injury on the released combatant as to send a message to the enemies of the republic. Released prisoners should not be maimed without trial.
    

2. Civilians: In the case of civilians their treatment on the field will be determined on their reactions to the lawful orders of the republic. Civilians that take up arms and or armor against the republic are to be treated as combatants. Civilians are to be subjected to the same looting principles as combatants.

 

1. Cooperative: should the civilian be deemed cooperative they are not to be harmed or hindered unless they take future actions to resist the lawful orders of the republic.

 

2. Uncooperative: should the civilian not take up arms but refuse the lawful orders of the republic they may be harmed or hindered to fulfill those orders. They may not be mortally injured or maimed, any offending soldiers will be punished.

 

3. Friendly Sympathisers: When a civilian is deemed to be a sympathiser they are under no circumstances to be harmed or tormented by soldiers of the republic. Should the sympathiser so desire they will be given the means to contact local resistance leadership.

 

1. On pretenders: The republic is knowledgeable enough to know that descendants may lie about their favor towards the republic. In that case a pretender is easily spotted if they proclaim loyalty but still refuse to carry out lawful orders of the republic, in that case they are to be considered uncooperative civilians.

 

4. Darkspawn: those suspected of being darkspawn will not be afforded any luxuries by the republic, and the commanding officer may dispose of them as they see fit.

 

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CHAPTER III. Treatment of Prisoners of War

Spoiler

1. Foreword: no matter if the POW was a combatant or a civilian, they will be treated on the same principles which are to be determined via social status. Once the posse enters friendly territory the POWs should be immediately identified and treated accordingly. Soldiers should identify the social status of the POW through clues such as name, attire, appearance, speech, personal items, etc…

 

2. On the Treatment of Common-born: those that are deemed to be of common-birth are not to be executed nor maimed. The Republic views the Common-born of other lands as misguided allies, so they will be treated with the rights of citizens of the republic. They are to be questioned about knowledge regarding the enemy and informed of the cause of the republic and the crimes of her enemies. Upon release, the common-born will be encouraged to join the cause, note should be made of them. If the same common-born is seen within the host of the enemy they will be considered a hostile collaborator.
    
3. Children: no matter their status, children should not be harmed, maimed, or killed in any way. The only exception is in strenuous circumstances, such as the capture of the heir apparent of Imperial Burgundy or adjacent enemies.
    
4. On the Treatment of High-born and collaborators: descendants deemed to be high-born will not enjoy the liberties of the republic for they have denied that for their own people. They will be judged for their crimes and receive justice.

 

1. Gentry/Nobility/Aristocracy/Officers: A ransome will be put out which will be the descendant’s perceived value in minas or equivalent materials. At the same time, the descendant is to be put to trial, and if no host comes to treat for their release they will be aptly punished depending on their crimes.

 

1. On Trial: When put to trial they will be judged for their crimes by a people’s council of present Salvian citizens. The POW may send bird for a legal defendant to represent them, should one come they are considered an envoy and are not to be harmed unless they take up arms against the republic.

 

2. On Punishment: Once the crimes of the Descendant are discovered they shall be published accordingly per severity and amount of offenses. 

 

1. Severed right hand: The hand that steals from the people is to be severed.
2. Gouged eye: He who restricts the uplifting of the people is to be half blinded.
3. Cut tongue: He who spreads lies or propagandizes the people against their own liberation is to be silenced.
4. Cut tendons: He who would raise their sword against their own common-people is to be made incapable of ever repeating such an offense.
5. Cut ears: reserved for elven high-born who collaborate with the human enemies of the republic.
6. Execution: if a previous offender has been apprehended again and has not made efforts to right their wrongs, they will be executed.

 

2. Leadership: If POWs are identified to be the leaders of hostile nations and/or vassals of hostile nations, the commanding officer will decide one of two options. Should it be decided that the loss of this leader will NOT be detrimental to the enemy, they will be given trial. Should the loss of this leader be deemed detrimental to the enemy, they will be put into a public view, birds sent for witnesses, and executed with all made aware of what occurred.

 

 

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Signed,

Shamizir “the sanguine”, Governor-Marshall of New Salvo

 

Edited March 28 by Kardika