Germany
Practice Relating to Rule 145. Reprisals
Section D. Order at the highest authority of government
Germany’s Soldiers’ Manual (1991) states: “Because of their political and military consequences reprisals on the part of the German Military Forces may only be ordered by the Federal Government.”
Germany’s Military Manual (1992) provides that “because of their political and military significance, reprisals shall be ordered by the supreme political level, which would be in the Federal Republic of Germany the Federal Government. No soldier is entitled to order reprisals on his own accord.”
The manual further states that reprisals “require a decision to be taken by the supreme political level”.
Germany’s Soldiers’ Manual (2006) states: “Because of their political and military consequences reprisals on the part of the German armed forces may only be ordered by the Federal Government.”