Take no prisoners

Posted by ESC December 21, 2004In reply to Take no prisoners posted by David FG on December 21, 2004

Hi,

Does anyone know the origin of 'take no prisoners'? Tahnks.

I have always assumed it to be a military phrase. The order being given before a battle that all of the enemy were to be killed, as opposed to taking any (even the wounded or those that surrendered) as prisoners.

It is, I believe, now contrary to international law.

DFG

Prisoners were killed to avoid:

COMBAT SUCK - "...units like the 709th Military Police Battalion are planning meticulously to avoid what is called 'combat suck' - drawing troops away from the fighting to care for war prisoners, thus slowing down the charge toward Baghdad."