. "Freikorps (pronounced [\u02C8f\u0280a\u026A\u032F\u02CCko\u02D0\u0250\u032F], \"Free Corps\") were German volunteer units that existed from the 18th to the early 20th centuries, the members of which effectively fought as mercenaries, regardless of their own nationality. In German-speaking countries the first so-called Freikorps \"free regiments\" (German: Freie Regimenter) were formed in the 18th century from native volunteers, enemy renegades and deserters, and criminals."@en . .