Discussion Main / CombatBreakdown

I’m not an expert on this trope, but maybe it depends. If the two sides commit more war crimes against each other merely out of increasing hatred as the war goes on, or as retaliation for each other’s atrocities, that wouldn’t count. That is nothing more than a decline in civility or moral standards. However, I’d suggest that if they started killing surrendering soldiers and civilians because they’re so low on food that they can’t afford to feed any captives, or if they’re having to butcher the enemy with machetes because they ran out of bullets, that’s more in the spirit. The increase in brutality or cruelty would have to be a direct result of the increasing weakness and desperation of the combatants.