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In war, in the event of the imminent capture of a city, the government/military structure of the nation that controls the city will sometimes declare it an open city, thus announcing that they have abandoned all defensive efforts. The attacking armies of the opposing military will then be expected not to bomb or otherwise attack the city, but simply to march in. The concept aims at protecting the city's historic landmarks and resident civilians from an unnecessary battle. Attacking forces do not always respect the declaration of an "open city." Defensive forces will use it as a political tactic as well.〔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〕 In some cases, the declaration of a city to be "open" is made by a side which is on the verge of defeat and surrender; in other cases, those making such a declaration are willing and able to fight on, but prefer that the specific city be spared. According to the Protocol I of the Geneva Conventions, it is forbidden for the attacking party to "attack, by any means whatsoever, non-defended localities". ==Examples== Several cities were declared open during World War II: * Brussels was declared an open city by the Belgian Government in 1940, during the Battle of Belgium. It was later occupied by the Germans. * Paris was declared an open city by the French Government in June 1940 during the Battle of France. * Belgrade was declared open in April 1941 by the Government of Yugoslavia, just before the Invasion of Yugoslavia. The German Wehrmacht did not respect the open city status and heavily bombed the city. * Manila was declared an open city on 26 December 1941 by US general Douglas MacArthur, during the Japanese invasion of the Philippines.〔 〕 The Imperial Japanese Army ignored the declaration and bombed the city. * Batavia was declared an open city on 5 March 1942, after the Dutch Army was evacuated. The Japanese occupied the city the next day. * Rome was declared open on 14 August 1943 by the Italian Government, following the cessation of Allied bombing. Subsequently Allied forces entered Rome in June 1944 and retreating German forces also declared Florence and Chieti on 24 March 1944 "open cities".〔 * Athens was declared an open city by the Germans on 11 October 1944.〔(World War II Chronology 1944 )〕 *Hamburg was declared open on 3 May 1945 by the Germans, and was immediately occupied by the British. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Open city」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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