Notes on Training for Rifle Fire in Trench Warfare : Comp. From Foreign Reports by Army War College (U.S.)

Author:Army War College (U.S.) [College, Army War]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 1990000294051
Google: vwYigfjslEkC
Publisher: U.S. Government Printing Office
Published: 1917-01-15T11:42:31+00:00

A PREPARED SNIPER POSITION. A SNIPER USING A SNIPERSCOPE.

Sniper’s positions in trenches may, according to circumstances, be located in (a) the front line, (b) parados, (c) approach trenches, (d) connecting trench, (e) dummy trench, (f) support trenches, or any others affording the desired facilities. The commander must study the terrain, the enemy’s trenches, the advantages and disadvantages of each position considered, both with reference to facilities for observation, fire, and concealment, and with reference to danger from the enemy, and select that which will best serve the purpose. He must then decide as to measures for promoting observation and concealment, and supervise their execution and the construction of the necessary loopholes. Loopholes may be arranged of sandbags, iron pipes, boxes, etc. It is better to have them run obliquely rather than perpendicularly with respect to the trench line, and a curtain should be provided to prevent their being discovered by light showing through the hole. Loopholes near the ground are not as readily seen as those higher up, and those located among débris and loose earth, leaves, branches, tumbled sods, etc., are less easily detected than those located in a smooth slope. When constructing loopholes care should be taken to disturb previously existing conditions as little as possible lest the enemy observe the change and profit by the hint. Several loopholes should be provided for each post as the discovery of one by the enemy renders it worthless for future use, and continued use of one loophole will sooner or later result in detection.

The best positions are usually in rear of the first line, so placed as to command a view of the enemy’s trenches up to at least 400 yards. This is not always possible and the best possible must be selected. In any case alternative positions must be arranged. Support trenches may afford better locations than the fire trenches, but they have the objection of increasing the range. If the post is detached an important consideration is whether or not it can be entered or left unobserved during daylight.

9. Conduct of the sniper.—Snipers should work in pairs, exchanging duties of observer every 15 or 20 minutes. They should be relieved every two hours or oftener. It may be advantageous to relieve one every hour.

They will never fire merely to annoy, as this will lead to disclosure of the position, with no adequate result. They will closely examine their shelter and see that the fire opening is so constructed as not to be affected by the blast of the rifle. If shooting through a small aperture in brickwork, the opening should be kept wet to prevent dust being blown out by the discharge. Newly constructed loopholes should be left unused for a time, so as to see if the enemy has detected it. The curtain will always be kept in such position as to prevent light showing through. Snipers must not be led by ruses to fire fruitlessly and disclose their positions. Fire to kill. If a large target is discovered, do not fire if it is possible to inform the machine guns or the artillery.

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