Francs - tireurs

Francs - tireurs ('free-shooters'), armed bands of French peasants and others that sprang into existence during the progress of the Franco-Prussian war. At first their military organisation was very imperfect; afterwards this defect was in some measure remedied, and they were even formed into regular corps. For the most part they carried on a guerilla warfare, attacking small detachments of the enemy, and cutting off foraging parties. At first they were not recognised by the Germans as having any military standing at all, and when captured they were shot; but after a time, when they co-operated with the regular French army, such recognition was accorded them.