Description
Book SynopsisThousands of volumes have been published about World War II but relatively little attention has been given to the sniper. Drawing from memoirs, government documents and interviews, this Casemate Illustrated title incorporates eyewitness accounts to weave a comprehensive narrative of snipers in World War II.
While certain common traits were shared among belligerents, each had its unique methodology for selecting and training snipers and, as casualties were high, their replacements. Drawn from hunters, competitive shooters, natural marksmen, outdoorsmen, city dwellers, farmers and veteran soldiers, they fought to assert local battlefield dominance and instill among their enemy a paralyzing fear. Sometimes admired and other times reviled by their own comrades because of the retaliation they drew, they were always too few in number. Their battlefield role, their victories and their defeats are retold here from neglected or forgotten sources.
The scope of
World War II Snipers is extensive, with three chapters each on the major theatres of the war including Western Europe, Eastern Europe and the Pacific. These are supported by a lengthy chapter on the sniper rifles used by the snipers and their equipment. Finally, the last chapter discusses many overlooked or ignored subjects not raised by other researchers and provides much food for thought. The bibliography is a valuable resource to future researchers and writers. For the long-range rifle shooter and today's snipers, the lessons of the past are as relevant today as they were when learned and practiced in World War II.
Trade ReviewGary Yee takes what is already a well-researched deep dive into the specifics of sniper training, employment and equipment to a new level. * The American Rifleman *
If you have any interest in sniping or World War II, you need to have this book in your library. * A Wargamers Needful Things 26/10/2022 *
Each combatant nation had its own methods of selecting and training snipers, arming and equipping them, and then utilizing them in action. This book goes over the details of these snipers, with sections covering them in action and the weapons they used. * WWII History Magazine 28/09/2022 *
If you like history and want to learn about snipers during WWII this is the book for you. * IPMS/USA 16/11/2022 *
There have been many books written about snipers in WWII, but nothing ever like this superb book which has to be the most comprehensive of its type. If there is any aspect on sniping which is missing from this book, then it is not important. … Highly illustrated throughout, this book is for weapon collectors, shooters, … and general readers with an interest in the subject. There is nothing to criticise about this book and readers will find it compelling. * Gun Mart 21/09/2022 *
Table of ContentsPreface Introduction Chapter I: United Kingdom & Commonwealth Chapter II. US Army and Marine Corps Chapter III. Soviet Union Chapter IV. Axis Nations Chapter V: Western Europe and Northern Africa Chapter VI: Liberation of North Western Europe Chapter VII To the Rhine and Elba Chapter VIII: Drang Nach Osten Chapter IX: Stalingrad Kessel (Cauldron) Chapter X: Verbrannte Erde (Scorched Earth) Retreat to the Reich Chapter XI: Pacific Theatre and the Far East Chapter XII South West Pacific Chapter XIII: South Pacific Chapter XIV: Guns and Equipment Chapter XV. Sniper Miscellany Appendices Bibliography Index
