Freischar

The Freischar (German: [ˈfʁaɪ̯ˌʃaːɐ̯] ⓘ) was the German name given to an irregular, volunteer military unit that, unlike regular or reserve military forces, participated in a war without the formal authorisation of one of the belligerents, but on the instigation of a political party or an individual.

As early as 1785 Johann von Ewald published in Kassel his Essay on Partisan Warfare (German: Abhandlung über den kleinen Krieg), which described his experiences with the rebels in the North American colonies.

The Hague Convention of 1907 distinguished between militia, volunteer corps and members of the regular armed forces.

Freischärler were given combatant status if they had an organisational structure, a fixed distinctive emblem recognizable at a distance, carried arms openly and conducted their operations in accordance with the laws and customs of war.

Freischaren were deployed: In conservative circles the term was often used in a hostile and derogatory fashion, but it achieved great popularity in 1848.