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During the First World War following the occupation of Belgium and a few French departments, citizens organized to fight the German occupier underground. This paper examines if and how this commitment may be characterized as "resistance" as compared to what occurred in World War Two occupied Europe. Though this exact term was not used in 14-18, the reality described is close to that which characterized 40-45. However, its context is that of a less accomplished "total war," during which the use of arms was avoided by the resisters. This early resistance was also on a smaller scale: it was organized in networks, but did not give rise to large movements. After the war, the memory of the shadow fighters was kept more alive in Belgium, which was mainly marked by the occupation, whereas French recollection is more dominated by the trench war.