German Snipers

[solietjake]

any good pictures out there of German Snipers? cant find really any

[Brian67]

When is a photo a good one?

I know, its WW1.

[John W. Howard]

Hello Jake:
If I am not mistaken, a member named Kocjo posted some excellent photos from the museum he worked for. You might search the site for them, or check back through the archives of the photo section. If I remember rightly, he had at least one excellent photo of a German sniper. Best wishes.

[Richard Schoutissen]

Gefreiter Matthäus Hetzenauer.

Interview (1967) with Gefreiter Matthäus Hetzenauer;

1. Weapons used?

K98 with six-power telescopic sights. G43 with four-power telescopic sights.

2. Telescopic sights used?

Four-power telescopic sight was sufficient up to a range of approximately 400 meters, Six-power telescopic sight was good up to 1,000 meters.

3. What is your opinion on increasing the magnification of your telescopic sights?

Six-power was sufficient. There was no need for stronger scope. No experience with greater magnification.

4. At what range could you hit the following targets without fail?

Head up to 400 meters. Breast up to 600 meters. Standing Man up to 700-800 meters.

5. Do the ranges indicated by you apply only to you, i.e. the best snipers, or also to the majority of snipers?

Only to the best snipers.

6. What was the range of the furthest target you ever fired at, and what kind of target, size?

About 1,000 meters. Standing soldier. Positive hitting not possible, but necessary under the circumstances in order to show enemy that he is not safe even at that distance! Or superior wanted to satisfy himself about capability.

7. How many second shots / Additional shots were necessary per ten hits?

Almost never.

8. If you had a choice, what weapon would you use and why?

K98. Of all weapons available at that time it had the highest accuracy for permanent use, besides it did not jam easily. G43 was only suitable to about 400 meters. It also had inferior precision.

9. Today if you had the choice between the K98 and a semi-automatic rifle that does not easily jam and has the same capacity as the K98, which weapon would you take and why?

Snipers do not need a semi-automatic weapon if they are correctly used as snipers.

10. Were you incorporated into a troop unit?

We belonged to the sniper group of the battalion. C was the commander of this group. They numbered up to 22 men; six of them usually stayed with battalion, the rest were assigned to the companies. Observations and use of ammunition as well as successful hits had to be reported daily to the battalion staff. In the beginning, the snipers were called up cut of the battalion, as the war continued and the number of highly-skilled snipers decreased, they were often assigned and given their orders by the division. In addition, a few marksmen in each company were equipped with telescopic sights. These men did not have special training but were able to hit accurately up to about 400 meters and carried out a great deal of the work to be done by "actual snipers". These specially equipped riflemen served in the company as regular soldiers. This is why they could not achieve such high scores as the "snipers".

11. Strategy and Targets?

a. Attack:

Always two snipers at a time; one shoots, the other spots. Usual general order:- Elimination of observers, of the enemy's heavy weapons and of commanders, or special order, when all important or worthwhile targets were eliminated; for example! Anti-tank gun positions, machine gun positions. Etc. Snipers followed closely the attacking units and whenever necessary. Eliminated enemies who operated. Heavy weapons and those who were dangerous to our advance.

added: In a few cases, I had to penetrate the enemies main line of resistance at night before our own attack. When our own artillery had opened fire. I had to shoot at enemy commanders and gunners because our own forces would have been too weak in number and ammunition without this support.

B. Attack during night:

As far as I can remember, no major attacks during night were conducted, snipers were not used at night; they were too valuable.

C. Winter

Clothed in winter camouflage I followed behind the front units. When the attack slowed down had to help by engaging machine gunners and Anti tank guns etc.

b. Defense:

Usually on my own within company detachment; order fire at any target or only worthwhile targets. Great success during enemy attacks since commanders can often be recognized and shot at long range due to their special clothing and gear such as belts crossed on chest, white camouflage in winter, etc. As a consequence, enemy's attack was prevented in most cases. Shot the respective leaders of enemys attack eight times during one attack. As soon as enemy snipers appeared we fought them until they were eliminated; we also suffered great losses. As a rule, the sniper watched for worthwhile targets at the break of dawn and remained in position until dusk with few interruptions. We were often in position in front of our own lines in order to fight the enemy more successfully. When enemy knew our position, we were forced to remain without provisions or reinforcements at such advanced position. During alarm or enemy attack, a good sniper did not shoot at just any target, but only at the most important ones such as commanders, gunners, etc.

e. Defense during night:

Snipers not used during night; not even assigned to guard duty or other duties. If necessary he had to take position in front of own lines in order to fight the enemy more effectively during the day.

12. Did you score successful hits by moonlight?

I was often called to action when there was sufficient moonlight since reasonably accurate hitting is possible with a six-power telescopic sight, but not with point and rear sight.

g. Delaying action:

In most cases four to six snipers were ordered to rear guard and eliminate any enemy appearing; very good results. Use machine guns for rear guard only in emergencies since snipers delayed enemy's advance by one or two hits without easily revealing his own position.

12. In what warfare could the sniper be most successful?

The best success for snipers did not reside in the number of hits, but in the damage caused the enemy by shooting commanders or other important men. As to the merit of individual hits, the snipers best results could be obtained in defense since the target could be best recognized with respect to merit by careful observation. Also with respect the numbers, best results could be obtained in defense since the enemy attacked several times during a the day.

13. Percentage of successful hits at various ranges?

Up to 400 meters A. 65 percent C. 80 percent

Up to 600 meters A. 30 percent C. 20 percent

Additional information: This is why about 65 percent of my successful hits were made below 400 meters.

14. Do these percentages and ranges apply to you personally or are they valid for the majority of snipers?

This information is applicable to the majority of snipers as well as to the beat snipers, for: the majority of snipers could hit with absolute certainty only within a range of 400 meters due to their limited skills, the best snipers could hit with reasonable certainty at longer ranges; they in most cases, however, waited until enemy was closer or approaching the enemy in order to better choose the target with respect to its merit.

15. On the average, how many shots were fired from one position ?

a. Attack:

As many as necessary.

b. Defence from secure position:

One to three at most.

c. Enemy attack:

Depending on worthwhile targets.

d. Combat against enemy snipers:

One to two at most.

e. Delaying action:

One to two was sufficient since sniper was not alone.

16. What else is especially important in addition to excellent marksmanship?

Besides the generally known quality of a sniper it is especially important to be able to outsit the enemy. The better "Tactician at detail" wins in combat against enemy snipes. The exemption from commitment to any other duties contributes essentially to the achievement of high scores.

17. From what group of persons were snipers selected?
Only people born for individual fighting such as hunters, even poachers, forest rangers, etc without taking into consideration their time of service.

18. In what sniper training courses did you participate?

Sniper courses at the training area Seetaleralpe.

19. Was it advisable to equip the sniper with a double telescope? What magnification did the double telescope have?

6 x 30 enlargement was insufficient for longer distances. Later I had a 10 x 50 telescope which was satisfactory.

20. Would you prefer a periscope which allows observation under full cover?

Was very useful as supplement (Russian trench telescope).

21. Were scissor stereo telescopes (positional warfare) used?

Yes, when available. Was used mutually by sniper and artillery observer.

22. What type of camouflage was used?

I have never used a fake tree stump, but I have used camouflage clothing. Camouflage of my face and hands and camouflage of my weapon in winter. (White cover, white wrapping, white paint) .

23. Did you use technical means to mislead the enemy?

Yes, stuffed dummies, etc.

24. Did you use protective shields in positional warfare?

No.

25. What is your opinion on the use of tracer ammunition?

If possible, they should not be used at all in combat since they have easily revealed the position of the sniper. Tracer ammunition was mainly used for practice shooting as well as ranging at various distances. For this purpose every sniper carried with him a few tracer cartridges.

26. Did you use observation ammunition, i.e. cartridges that fired projectiles, which detonate upon impact?

Yes; upon impact a small flame as well as a small puff of smoke could be seen which allowed good observation of impact. By this method we could force the enemy to leave wooden houses, etc by setting tire to them.

Observation cartridges were used up to a range of about 600 meters; their dispersion was somewhat larger than that of heavy pointed cartridges (heavy pointed bullet).

27. How did you overcome side wind?

By my own judgment and experience. When necessary, I used tracer ammunition to determine wind drift. I was well prepared for side wind by my training at Seetaleralpe where we practiced often in strong winds.

28. Can you recall the rules pertaining to your behavior when shooting at moving targets?

No; importance is own judgment and experience as well as fast aiming and fast firing.

29. Do you have any experience with armor piercing rifles?

Yes, several times I have fought against a "machine-gunner with a protective shield". I could hit small targets only up to 300 meters since dispersion was considerably larger than with K98. Besides, it was very heavy and clumsy and was not suitable as a sniper weapon. I did not use it against unarmored targets.

30. What was the method by which your hits were certified?

By observation and confirmation by an officer, non-commissioned officer or two soldiers. This is why the number of certified hits is smaller than the actual score.


Unknown German Sniper


An unknown German Sniper from the 9. Bayerischen Infanterie Regiments.

url link to > > > small1jpg

url link to > > > small2jpg


Richard

[solietjake]

denke, thanks alot man, i appreciate it

[nikiel84]

one more for you im pretty sure that this is probably the best guille suit that i have ever seen espescillay for this time period

[Doktor Krollspell]

Hello Gentlemen!

First a nice photograph of weapon maintenance...

...found at http://www.authenticmilitaria.com/

Also found a DVD release on a documentary on german snipers that have original contemporary sniper educational films!

Website: http://www.ihffilm.com/ihf/22379.html


Regards,

Krollspell

[solietjake]

Danke, those pics are sweet, especially the one with the sniper in camo.

[Richard Schoutissen]

[Doktor Krollspell]

Hello Bladerunner!

Nice sniper pics that you've posted! Do you, or anybody else, have any identity/information on the Knight's Cross bearer on your second picture?


Regards,

Krollspell

[Grim]

(Pic from Saving Private Ryan, but is a realy nice one.)

[M.H.]

Thanks for the Interview! Really interesting!

[Simon Orchard]

Guys, it's common courtesy to credit and\or ask the source before doing a copy\paste job.


This is from my own collection. A post-war signed photo of Sepp Allerberger. 257 confirmed 'hits' and second only to Hetzenauer, he was also one of the 3 snipers interviewed in the partial Q and A interview posted above.

[Doktor Krollspell]

Hello Simon!

First of all, I quite agree that giving due credit is common courtesy and must always be done!

Now to Sepp Allerberger... Are you sure that the Knight's Cross 'round his neck on your post-war signed photo isn't attached/created/manipulated afterwards? You see, I can't find any reference to that Herr Allerberger actually recieved the Knight's Cross in the first place. I've checked in von Seemen's "Ritterkreuzträger" and on http://www.das-ritterkreuz.de and... nothing!
Sepp Allerberger was without a doubt a great soldier and a very lethal sniper with 257 confirmed kills and I do think that he deserved the Knight's Cross with his service record but did he really recieve it...?


Regards,

Krollspell

[Simon Orchard]

The RK is clearly added later to the photo. I know Allerberger doesn't appear in any of the RK lists but there is a bit about it in "Im auge des Jägers" According to that book he was awarded the RK by Schörner on the 20th April '45, in the absence of the real thing he was given a modified EKII and the book includes a photo of him wearing that decoration. The reason for him not appearing in the various works or being an 'official' RKT was because the award and paperwork was never confirmed by the OKH.

Not the only man to be awarded the RK in the field late in the war but never to have their award be made official due to the chaos and paperwork.