Franc-tireur.

This is coolbert:

In the recent blog entry dealing with the burning of libraries by military forces, I mentioned that the library at Leuven, Belgium was burned in retaliation for attacks by franc-de-tieurs upon German soldiers. This of course in World War One [WW1].

Franc-de-tieurs are often thought of or defined as insurgents, guerrillas, terrorists, irregulars, etc.

[various spelling exist. Franc-de-tireurs being most common.]

Combatants in civilian clothes waging partisan type warfare against the regular forces of an invading military.

The term franc-de-tieurs is obviously of FRENCH origin. Describes irregular forces that have been combatants in French wars since the time of the French Revolution.

Groups of persons, that during times of peace, who were not, however, so totally "irregular". Groups of persons who in time of peace belong to MARKSMANSHIP clubs. Persons able to shoot a rifle with accuracy. Trained and practiced in doing so. Preparing to fight during a time of war in the manner of the SNIPER. Firing from hiding, dressed as a civilian, and doing so against the regular, uniformed, conventional troops of the invader.

"The Spanish word francotirador and the Portuguese word franco-atirador, meaning sharpshooter, are derived from the word franc-tireur."

"Francs-tireurs were an outgrowth of rifle clubs or unofficial military societies . . . The members were chiefly concerned with the practice of rifle-shooting . . . They wore no uniforms, were armed with the best existing rifles, and elected their own officers."

At this translated French web site, the great Russian sniper Zaitsev is described as a franc-de-tieur. This is incorrect. Zaitsev was as sniper, but NOT an irregular. Was a soldier, uniformed, and fighting as a conventional soldier would do, albeit as a sniper.

This entry from the translated site seems to suggest otherwise. Perhaps they are wrong? I am right!! I tend to think I am. Semantics? You judge.

"Not to confuse franc-de-tieur and marksman or English sniper."

"One also speaks by extension about a 'franc-tireur' to qualify a person who completes a work as a recluse, often without being concerned with impact that that can have around him."

It DOES seem the German military has a particular aversion to the entire concept of the franc-de-tieur.

"The francs-tireurs were often vilified by the German armies and popular press as murderers and highwaymen."

One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter!!??

coolbert.