[QUOTE=elucidator]
Not that simple. In the firebombing attack in question, there wasn’t even an attempt to localize specific military targets, the attack was intended to destroy the homes and lives of civilians. A declaration of war does not nullify any and all obligations for humane conduct. YMMV, of course.
[/QUOTE]
As I mentioned previously I think this was the last gasp of the “Total War” concept that was pretty much the status quo throughout history. That when you go to war the whole country is your enemy, not just their military. Ignoring morality for a moment it makes sense. While the military may have the guns replacement soldiers are the kids growing up. The women are building weapons in the factories or farming the food their military eats. In a very real way they are as much a part of the machine trying to kill you as the pointy end that is their military. Anything you can do to undermine the enemy’s war effort makes military sense.