This is a critical study of the key provisions of the law relating to the conduct of combat in armed conflicts on land, illustrated by reference to problems that have arisen during recent conflicts. The approach adopted is to take a proposition of the law of war, examine its historical origins and current exposition, deal with problems of interpretation and application, especially in light of recent conflicts, and reach conclusions about how it should be applied in practice.
Major General A. P. V. Rogers (Retired) is Yorke Distinguished Visiting Fellow, Faculty of Law, University of Cambridge. He is a Fellow of the Lauterpacht Research Centre for International Law, University of Cambridge, Fellow of the Human Rights Centre, University of Essex, and Vice President of the International Fact-Finding Commission established pursuant to Article 90 of Protocol I of 1977 to the Geneva Conventions of 1949. He is the Former Director of Legal Services of the British Army and is General Editor of the UK Armed Forces Manual of the Law of Armed Conflict and Honorary President, International Society for Military Law and the Law of War.
"This book makes a most useful contribution to the understanding of the law of war. It takes key provisions of the 1977 Geneva Protocol I and explains their context, their negotiating history as well as their meaning and relevance today. I commend it not only to military lawyers but also to those who plan and conduct operations of peacekeeping and war. The book will also appeal to those who would like to resolve in their own minds the apparent incompatibility between law and war."
- General Sir Michael Rose, Former Commander of the UN Protection Force in Bosnia. General Sir Michael Rose KCB CBE DSO QGM, following service with the SAS in Malaya and Oman, commanded the 22nd SAS Regiment (1979-82) during which time it was involved in the London Iranian Embassy siege and the Falklands War. From January 1994 to January 1995 he assumed command of the UN Protection Force in Bosnia after which he became Adjutant General and a member of the Army Board.
"Critical observers, whether among the military, media or in academe, are in need of expert exposition of the intricacies of battlefield law as it has evolved over time. For these reason this book is to be warmly welcomed."
- Frits Kalshoven, Professor Emeritus of Public International Law and International Humanitarian Law, University of Leiden. He took part in the conferences that drafted the 1977 Additional Protocols andthe 1981 Conventional Weapons Convention, and acted as first chairman of the UN Commission ofexperts on war crimes in the former Yugoslavia (1992-1993).
"Law on the Battlefield proves an important addition to the understanding and dissemination of the law of armed conflict. It is well-written and well-documented, covers the ground it intended to in a comprehensive fashion, is replete with relevant examples from actual operations of the principles discussed, and evidences a keen grasp by the author of the practicalities involved when combat confronts law. General Rogers is to be complimented, and thanked, for narrowing the gap between practitioner and commentator. There is little doubt that Law on the Battlefield should be included in the library of anyone-academic, judge advocate, or operator-concerned with the conduct of armed conflict."
- Professor Michael N. Schmitt is the Director of the Program in Advanced Security Studies and Professor of International Law in the College of International and Security Studies, George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.
"Law on the Battlefield may prove most useful for the army legal adviser, but those in the legal services of both the air force and the navy will find sufficient material to help them in their duties as advisers. They will often be able, without undue effort, to adapt them to their own specific problems. "
- Leslie C. Green, Former Charles H. Stockton Chair of International Law, Naval War College
"A.P.V. Rogers' Law on the Battlefield is an extremely welcome event...It is a sophisticated and useful work on a difficult area of law...Its structure is logical, and its arguments are consistent and sensible. This new edition will retain, if not improve upon, the considerable reputation enjoyed by its predecessor, it also reflects well upon its author and deserves high praise."
- Journal of Conflict & Security Law
