Japanese Sniper Question
I have heard that part of the problem locating Japanese snipers in WW II, was that they were using a cleaner burning powder than we were. True?
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Smokeless Powder is what was used in WW2. The only other powder is Black Powder,which of cource Smokes. 0 -
Maybe they were just better at it than we were at the time. I read somewhere that the U.S. military, until way too recently, didn't appreciate snipers in their ranks and never bothered to have much of a program to train them. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by ElMuertoMonkey
Maybe they were just better at it than we were at the time. I read somewhere that the U.S. military, until way too recently, didn't appreciate snipers in their ranks and never bothered to have much of a program to train them.
Which is why you need to read "Shooter".0 -
snipers have always been kind of an outlaw position and to this day at times are looked down upon by all. Not untill vietnam did th US start investing into Snipers 0 -
All gunpowder that I am acquainted with smokes. Smoke is one of the things any military person should look for in locating a sniper's position besides movement. The first thing would be to look in the direction that you believe the shot originated from based on its sound, and then at any terrain feature that might conceal a hide, and then for any signs of smoke, be it mostly stationary or drifting. The stronger the wind is blowing, the less likely that one will be able to spot any smoke due to a fired round. 0 -
America has employed true snipers from the Revolution up to this day, though I believe we didn't have a dedicated sniper training program until after the Viet Nam war. Rifles with crude optics were used in the Civil War, scoped '03 Springfields in WW1, "03A4s & MIDs in WW2 & Korea, and M70 Remingtons in Viet Nam. There may be more, but I'm sure these rifles were used in sniper warfare. Also any well concealed rifleman that is capable of accurate fire can be considered a "sniper". As for the Japs using a cleaner burning powder, I don't put any credence to that rumor. A well concealed sniper, particularly in jungle/woods is a tough target to pinpoint, especially if he's set up two or more positions that he can move to unseen. 0 -
Dak, I think you have a lot of truth to your post. The first formal school for Marine snipers that I recall was established by Major Archie Van Winkle when he was the OIC of Brigade Schools, 1st Marine Brigade at Kaneohe Bay Hawaii. He kicked off the first official sniper class in 1962. The OIC of this class was 2ndlt Willis, and his assistant was 2ndLt. Van Orden. There were 14 enlisted Marines in this class who were members of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Battalions of the 4th Marine Regiment. It was either 4 or 6 weeks in duration, and it came on the heels of then Captain Jim Land's sniper work, whose assistant during this time of sniper education was Carlos Hathcock. I believe that both Willis and Van Orden were members of the Hawaiian Marine Rifle Team. Both of these men shot competitively with the Marine Rifle and Pistol Team also. I further think that Willis made Colonel and played an important role in establishing the Marine Snipe School we have today. 0 -
Kimi, good info for the "memory bank", thanks. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Dak To 68
Kimi, good info for the "memory bank", thanks.
You can take it to the bank, too! And, you're mighty welcome.0
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