death marches

A death march is a forced, brutal expedition where captives, often prisoners or detainees, are compelled to walk long distances under extreme conditions, with little rest, food, or medical care. These marches are often characterized by inhumane treatment, leading to high death rates due to exhaustion, starvation, or violence. Historically, they are associated with wartime atrocities, such as during the Holocaust, where prisoners of concentration camps were forced on deadly journeys. The term highlights the extreme cruelty and dehumanization involved in such forced marches.