But, however lacking in imagination, however slow to realize the importance of novel methods, once we were convinced of their necessity, once we decided to adopt them, we managed by a combination of brains and energy, pluck and endurance, not only to make up the lost ground, but to take the lead in the race. In proof of this statement I would instance Heavy Field Artillery, High Explosives, Gas, Work in the Air, etc., and many other points I could mention in which Germany started ahead of us, including Sniping, Observation and Scouting.
And for our eventual superiority we owe much to individuals, men who, like the author of this book, Major Hesketh-Prichard, combined expert knowledge with untiring energy, men who would not be denied and could not recognize defeat.
In the early days of 1915, in command of the 2nd Division, I well remember the ever-increasing activity of the German sniper and the annoyance of our officers and men in the trenches. I can recall the acquisition by the Guards’ Brigade, then in the Brickfields of Cuinchy with Lord Cavan as Brigadier, of two rifles fitted with telescopic sights and the good use made of them. It was the experience of 1915 that impressed upon us the necessity of fighting for superiority in all branches of trench warfare, amongst which sniping held an important position. It was therefore a great satisfaction to me upon my arrival from the battlefields of the Somme in the autumn of 1916 to find Major Hesketh-Prichard’s School firmly established in the First Army area, thanks in a great measure to the support and encouragement of Lieut.-General Sir Richard Haking, the Commander of the Eleventh Corps.
From that time onwards, owing chiefly to the energy, enthusiasm, tact and personality of its Commandant, the influence of the Sniping, Observation and Scouting School spread rapidly throughout the British Forces in France. Of its ups and downs, of its troubles and its successes, and of its ultimate triumph, Major Hesketh-Prichard tells the tale with modesty typical of the man.
I may be permitted to add my testimony that in each phase of the war, not only in the trenches, but in the field, we found the value of the trained sniper, observer and scout.
This book is not only a record of a successful system of training, valuable as such to us soldiers, but also will be found to be full of interest to the general reader.
CONTENTS
| CHAP. | PAGE | ||
| I.— | The Genesis of Sniping | [1] | |
| II.— | The Sniper in the Trenches | [25] | |
| III.— | Early Days with the XI. Corps and First Army | [56] | |
| IV.— | The First Army School of Scouting, Observation and Sniping | [71] | |
| V.— | Some Sniping Memories | [94] | |
| VI.— | An Observer’s Memories | [114] | |
| VII.— | The Curriculum and Work at First Army School of S.O.S. | [144] | |
| VIII.— | Wilibald The Hun | [164] | |
| IX.— | The Cat | [176] | |
| X.— | The Training of the Portuguese | [184] | |
| XI.— | The Modern Scout | [191] | |
| APPENDICES | |||
| Appendix A.— | Programme for Training Observers | [211] | |
| Appendix B.— | General Course at First Army School of S.O.S. | [214] | |
| Appendix C.— | I. Care of Arms, Grouping and Range Practices | [222] | |
| II. Patrolling and Scouting | [232] | ||
| III. The Stalking Telescope | [239] | ||
| IV. Front Line Observation and Reports | [246] | ||
| V. Some Uses of Scouts, Observers and Snipers in Attack and Defence and Open Warfare | [253] | ||
| VI. The Enfield 1914 Pattern “Sniper’s Rifle” | [259] | ||
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
| The Sniper-Observer-Scout | [Frontispiece] |
| The Sniper’s End | Facing p.[28] |
| Examination of a German Prisoner | [30] |
| Outside the Snipers’ Post.—“Shut the loopholes. I’m coming in” | [38] |
| Telescopic Sights. “Nurse your Target.” 1. “Not yet.” 2. “Now!” | [44] |
| Spotting the Enemy Sniper | [46] |
| XI Corps Sniping School. Imitation German Trench used for spotting targets, etc. | [64] |
| Method of inserting Loophole. 1. Original Section of Parapet; 2. How bags are arranged and fixed round loophole to imitate original parapet (Gray’s Boards.); 3. Parapet reconstructed with loophole | [64] |
| XI Corps Sniping School. Showing the best form of parapet to conceal loopholes, and the wrong type of parapet for concealing snipers’ loopholes | [66] |
| Section of typical German Parapet. Showing concealed loopholes made through tins, bags, etc. | [66] |
| First Army School of S.O.S. | [72] |
| First Army School of S.O.S. No. 1. Flat Parapet. The easiest possible form of parapet to spot movement behind—practically a death-trap | [74] |
| First Army School of S.O.S. No. 2. Same parapet as in No. 1 after five minutes’ alteration | [76] |
| First Army School of S.O.S. Sniper’s Robe on a 6ft. 4in. man in the open | [88] |
| Find the Sniper. (The flat cap gives him away) | [92] |
| Find the Sniper (Look for the rifle barrel) | [94] |
| Telescopic Sights. With Periscopic Prism—Aldis. With Winchester. With German telescopic sight (showing use at night) | [98] |
| Inside the Observation Post | [122] |
| Lovat Scouts: Battle observers | [126] |
| The Fatal Cap | [142] |
| First Army School of S.O.S. Comparison of sniper’s robe as opposed to ordinary kit firing over a turnip heap | [144] |
| First Army School of S.O.S. Typical German Loophole Disguises in Earth Parapet | [148] |
| 1. There are two snipers here—one in uniform and one in a “sniper’s robe” | [150] |
| 2. A contrast showing the drawbacks of uniform and a “correct” position | [152] |
| First Army School S.O.S. Showing effects and importance of light and shade | [156] |
| Night-work in No Man’s Land | [194] |