In October 1914, this notice informed residents of the German-occupied town of Andenne, Belgium that civilian-owned firearms were banned. The Germans feared "free-shooters," civilians who might engage in a low-level guerilla war against the occupiers. Unable to stop these attacks, the German army's occupation of Belgium became increasingly ruthless, with hundreds of civilian executions.
Proclamation Poster
CWM 19940002-006
Canada and the First World War
