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Hi,
This is abit of an odd question but could anyone tell me what the ratio of snipers to regular infantry there would be (if any).
Could any man pick up a Scoped Mosin Nagant and use it as a basic level of sniper?
Would there be a man allocated to each squad that had a Scoped weapon?
Thanks
Roderich

I would recommend 'Sniper on the Eastern Front' by Josef 'Sepp' Allerberger. It could also be under the name of Albrecht Wacker who published Allerberger's memories. He was one of the few private soldiers to be awarded the Knight's Cross and was the second highest scoring German sniper.

Hi Rory

These are my thoughts, of which I am probably wildy wrong! Certainly there would not be a marksman/sniper allocated to each Gruppe, of which you ask. From reading the book that Paul has referred to, marksman appear to be allocated on a Battalion basis from recollection, and at this level, appointed to a Kompanie on a needs basis.

Others may well contradict or correct what I have said, but certainly, they were not allocated on a Gruppe basis. It was too highly skilled a role for that many men to be trained to be able to populate three to a Zug.

Hope that helps a little.

There is a difference I believe between marksmen/ snipers and sharp shooters. Snipers as you say are highly trained and deployed as and when needed from Battalion level. But sharp shooters and not trained, more like a soldaten who's 'a good shot'. But would still use a scoped weapon and be more commanly found. Thats what I am led to believe but I will do some more digging

There is a good discussian here

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=10324

Danke Schoen Fusilier Anselm, good find!

One thing the book does mention was that a sniper fighting amongst other troops would not want to be caught with a scoped rifle. He carried an MP40 for when things got 'hairy' and hid his rifle. To be caught as a sniper was to have a VERY grisly end!

Same reason the sniper badge was never worn!!

Hi,
That helps alot, so noone would want to be a sniper or be recognised as a sniper abit like with the fieldpolice.
Thanks
Roderich

I don't know that it would be as cut and dried as that Rory. I would imagine that you would need to be a certain type of person who enjoyed working on their own, had incredible patience and mental resolve, and not a little courage.

There is a excellent but very long series of german sniper training films on youtube, which may interest you. Soldiers certainly wanted to be snipers as they are real specialists, but as you said if captured best not recognised as one!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMapXX3k ... re=related

Thats a great video collection, not sure about the American commentary . Bauer, I would assume higher ranked or men or who are veterans would be the obvious choice to be a sniper? But would a regualr infantrymen be able to pick up a scoped weapon and use it as a basic sharpshhoter, would that be aloud?

I know that in the link anselm put on it says about sharpshooters being the most talented shot however surely at any chance they got to change to a scoped mosin nagant or whatever they would?

Roderich

I don't recall "Sepp Allenberger" being that old, just a youngster himself, and a Schutze from recollection.

Don't forget that the Richtschutze of any Gruppe would have normally been allocated the mg42, seeing as that was the most important weapon of the Gruppe.

I am sure if you dug deep enough you would find instances of what you are referring to Rory, but that would most certainly not be the norm. I guess you would be a fortunate Fusilier to just happen across a scoped moisin nagant, as I guess that must have meant there was a dead Russian sniper next to it! And if you got that close to him then perhaps he wasn't the best at his craft!

Are you asking this in order to try and portray a sniper role within the unit?

Allenberger sort of fell into the role. He was a machine gunner and got wounded. He was sent back to a depot for light duties and was told to sort out captured equipment. He found a Russian scoped rifle and tried a few shots. Finding he was an excellent shot, the NCO in the depot told Allenberger's officer who made use of him. Bizarrely enough, he was already one of the German high scorers when he was sent to sniper school!!!

Thanks for the reminder Paul. So yes, he was a Richtshutze already, thus deemed a reasonable shot. I suppose it supports my post a little.

Hi,
Bauer I was going to ask about that but it seems you have guessed , yes I was wanting to be a sniper (I must have been starring at my air rifle too lonog) within the unit however the necessary gun/scoped mauser would be a little out of my price range this is why I was wondering about a mosin nagant,

http://www.rytonarms.co.uk/shop/viewphoto.php?shoph=1281&phqu=2

It would be abit eaiser to source and cheaper. Im not tryin to sound like a cheapskate .
I am pretty sure this wont be kosher but I think its a good idea, so would this be possible?

Danke Schoen
Roderich

I have not come across any account dealing with sharpshooters within GD. Yes, there may well have been men within the ranks who were deemed a 'crack shot', but I am not aware of any specific mention of 'snipers' within the Division.

Hope this helps!