The Second Battle of Ypres by A A G Whitehead

Author:A A G Whitehead [Whitehead, A A G]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lume Books
Published: 2020-02-12T22:00:00+00:00

Henry had spoken to an acquaintance, a Major Hesketh-Prichard who wanted to set up a sniper school and was developing a number of sniping techniques, including spotting scopes, working in pairs and developing observational skills. Using the current British Pattern 1914 Enfield rifle with “acquired” German telescopic sights, he wanted to experiment with some students to prove his point to the top brass that this was worth pursuing.

The idea was that the two new starters with their experience of stalking would make fine stealthy trackers who should have as good grounding in field craft as Daniel, hopefully just as good at shooting as well. With that as a starting point, the major would make them into snipers in a short time. Basically, he had to. They would be returning to the front within a week’s time!

They arrived back at Merck at 8.30 a.m. and Ray set about rounding everybody up. At 9.00 a.m. they were all present and accounted for and Daniel was spelling out the changes that Henry had informed him and Ray of the previous day. Art was flabbergasted to say the least to be asked to take the corporal stripe but did so with pride and a large helping of sarcastic humour from the others. It seemed to be universally agreed he was the man for the job and time would tell if there was somebody who would shine as any potential future NCO. At 10.30 a.m. Major Hesketh-Prichard arrived and set about his task with gusto. He had a passion for his plans and this was his experimental team, so he took Des and Johnny under his wing, starting with the whole section down to the shooting range on the sand dunes just north-west of Merck. He boldly stated that he believed that, despite the sophistication of the weaponry, they were not a substitute for the training, dedication and marksmanship of the sniper. It was not long after lunchtime when it was obvious that there were four people who stood out from the rest: Major Hesketh-Prichard himself, Daniel, Des and Johnny.

Major Hesketh-Prichard took his new charges away for a condensed training period with a promise to have them back within five days on the understanding that for every period in the rear trenches he got more time with his disciples. The rest of the section took their tasks from Ray to re-supply, mend and improve everything from their camouflage suits (two extra had to be made for Des and Johnny) to more timer units for their improvised delayed explosives.

It was mid-afternoon when Daniel turned to Ray and asked what he had planned for the coming evening.

“Well, actually I have been given my orders by Annette,” said Ray a little bit sheepish, “I am to meet her at 4.00 p.m. at the market alongside the Les Bourgeois de Calais, which is apparently,” he said looking at a slip of paper, “at Place du Soldat Inconnu,” he said in his best French/Durham accent, “where I am to help her with shopping for tonight’s meal.

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