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How and when did the white flag become the symbol of surrender in battles?

2023-01-05 17:10:11Histori SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
British surrender at Yorktown, Virginia on October 19, 1781, during the American Revolution

It has long been known that raising or throwing the white flag on the battlefield meant that the person or group of warriors was surrendering to enemies or opponents. Today, the white flag is an internationally recognized symbol of truce, surrender, and the fact that those who raise this flag are open to negotiations.

But how was this habit born?

Përdorimi i një flamuri të bardhë për të nënkuptuar dorëzimin, përmendet për herë të parë gjatë dinastisë kineze Han, rreth shekullit III Pas Krishtit, edhe pse fillimisht u shoqërua me vdekjen dhe zinë për ushtarët e rënë. Më vonë, ngjyra e bardhë u bë simbol i dorëzimit, si dhe për të treguar pikëllimin e atyre që kishin humbur dhe për ushtarët që kishin humbur në betejë.

Ndërkohë, në Romën e Lashtë, kronisti Tit Livi tregoi se si një anije kartagjenase ishte zbukuruar me “lesh të bardhë dhe me degë ulliri” si një simbol i negociatave gjatë Luftës së Dytë Punike. Edhe Taciti ka shkruar për flamujt e bardhë që u shfaqën kur forcat Viteliane u dorëzuan gjatë Betejës së Dytë të Kremonës në vitin 69 Pas Krishtit.

Historians believed that the choice of this color happened because white could be easily distinguished amidst the chaos of a battle. In addition, in ancient times it was much easier to find a white cloth, something that soldiers could easily improvise with the material they had with them.

But the white flag quickly became even in modern times an internationally recognized symbol of the desire for a truce or negotiations on the battlefield. The heralds of monarchs and nobles carried white sticks in their hands to be identified by the participants in the fights. During the US Civil War, soldiers would preliminarily wave their white flags before collecting their wounded, a sign of a temporary truce.

The Hague Convention

The Hague Conventions of 1899 and 1907 are international treaties and declarations negotiated during two international peace conferences held in the city of The Hague in the Netherlands. These 2 documents, together with the Geneva Conventions, are the first formal declarations defining the laws of war, as well as war crimes in international law.

Among the laws laid down in them were those which forbade armies to use the white flag to deceive the enemy or pretend to surrender, with the malicious intention of ambushing the enemy's troops. Article 23 of the Hague Convention of 1907 states:

"It is especially prohibited...the improper use of the flag of truce, the national flag or military insignia and the uniform of the enemy, as well as the distinctive symbols of the Geneva Conventions". Meanwhile, Article 37 states: "...Acts that induce the adversary to believe that he is entitled or obliged to grant protection to the surrendered under the rules of international law applicable to armed conflict, with the subsequent intent to betray this belief, shall constitute treason".

Meanwhile, Article 38 prohibits the misuse of the distinctive emblem of the red cross, the red crescent or the red lion and sun or other emblems, signs or signals provided for by international conventions.

Siege of Yorktown

The Siege of Yorktown, also known as the Battle of Yorktown, began on September 28, 1781 and lasted until October 19 of that year. American Continental Army troops led by General George Washington Gilbert de Motje and the Marquis de Lafayette, combined with the French army troops of Comte de Roshambe, fought and defeated the British army led by Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis.

It was a decisive victory, which proved to be the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War. On the 16th of October, Cornwallis surrendered and sent to the enemy two men waving a white flag, signifying their intention to cease hostilities and readiness and surrender.

He did this out of fear that his besieged troops would be annihilated by the forces of the Continental and French armies. Violating the white flag of truce could have very serious consequences. During World War II, the Japanese gained a very negative reputation for violating or disrespecting flags of truce.


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