GC: n
S: EncBrit – http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/721819/law-of-war/52928/Lawful-combatants (last access: 26 March 2015)
N: 1. French, from franc free + tireur shooter.
First Known Use: 1808.
A civilian and especially a guerrilla fighter or sniper.
2. Very often the armed forces of belligerents consist throughout the war of their regular armies only; but it happens frequently that irregular forces take part. Of such irregular forces two different kinds are to be distinguished – first, such as are authorised by the belligerents; and, secondly, such as are acting on their own initiative, and on their own account, without special authorization. Formerly it was a recognised rule of International Law that only the members of authorised irregular forces enjoyed the privileges due to the members of the armed forces of belligerents; members of unauthorised irregular forces were considered to be war criminals, and could be shot when captured. During the Franco-German War in 1870, the Germans acted throughout according to this rule with regard to the so-called “franctireurs”, requesting the production of special authorization form the French Government from every irregular combatant whom they captured, failing which he was shot. But according to Art. 1 of the Hague Regulations this rule is now obsolete.
3. Shooting (Sports): sharpshooter.
S: 1. MW – http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/franc-tireur (last access: 26 March 2015). 2 & 3. TERMIUM PLUS – http://bit.do/eArFL (last access: 26 March 2015).
GV: franctireur
S: TERMIUM PLUS – http://bit.do/eArFL (last access: 26 March 2015)
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