Did franc-tireurs fight against the Germans in Belgium and Northern France during World War I? This question has largely been answered in the negative by research, especially since the 2001 study by Irish historians John Horne and Alan Kramer. Gunter Spraul examines the arguments of Horne and Kramer based on a thorough investigation of the sources they used and their critical contextualization. Additionally, the author analyzes previously unused military sources. He investigates general accusations against the German troops and specific incidents involving civilians, particularly the events in Leuven/Löwen. It quickly becomes clear that a serious treatment of this topic is not possible without a significant degree of skepticism towards the official statements from both sides.