Inside the Crosshairs

by Col. Michael Lee Lanning

  Bacon, Lance M. “Goodbye to Romance.” Marines, June 1996. Explains that real Marine sniper training is different from movie versions.

  Borsdorf, Captain. “The Sniper.” Military Review, September 1944. A translation of a brief article by a German army officer that appeared in the Hamburger Fremdenblatt on May 9, 1944: discusses German and Soviet snipers in World War II.

  Bowen, James W. “Sniper-Observer Teams.” Infantry, March–April 1986. Describes the initial post-Vietnam formation of sniper teams in the army’s 82nd Airborne Division.

  Brantley, Robert M. “Sniper.” Marines, August 1995. Marine sniper training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

  Bull, Stephen. “British Army Snipers, 1914–1918.” Military Illustrated, September 1992. In-depth account of British snipers in World War I.

  Burks, Arthur J. “The Sniper.” Leatherneck, August 1926. Fictionalized account of a World War I German sniper and the Canadians who neutralized him.

  Carman, W. Y. “The Burial of General Fraser, Saratoga, 1777.” Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research, Summer 1970. Details the death of a British general by an American marksman in the Revolutionary War.

  Carter, Ernie. “Snipers Train to Stalk.” Marines, November 1988. Snipers of the 6th Marine Regiment train on Okinawa.

  Childs, Jack. “Sniping in Vietnam.” American Rifleman, June 1966. Detailed account of the establishment of the first sniper training in Vietnam.

  —–. “VC Defector Unveils Elite Sniper Company.” Sea Tiger, July 19, 1966. One of the few accounts of North Vietnamese sniper training and operations.

  —–, and Bruce Martin. “Sniper.” Leatherneck, January 1967. Discusses early Vietcong snipers in Vietnam and records history of the establishment of the 3rd Marine Division Scout-Sniper School.

  Clapham, Richard. “Sniping and Observing in War Time.” Cavalry Journal, January–October 1940. Former British sniper discusses long-range shooting in World War I and supports the concept for World War II; the article concludes with a drawing, “A Sniper’s Dream,” of a telescope’s crosshairs centered on the head of Adolf Hitler.

  Coleman, John. “One Shot; One Kill: Army Sniper School Is Dead on Target.” Soldier of Fortune, December 1986. Notes the status of army sniper training of the period.

  Collins, Edward J. “Wanted: A Killer.” Infantry, January–March 1959. Supports peacetime sniper training.

  Creighton, Linda. “School for Snipers.” U.S. News & World Report, April 21, 1986. A look at Marine post-Vietnam sniper training.

  Crupi, A. J., and William F. Odom. “A Warning.” Infantry School Quarterly. October 1951. Brief history of sniping and unofficial opinion survey by soldiers during the Korean War about snipers.

  Daniel, Edward D. “USMC Scout Snipers: Issues and Answers.” Marine Corps Gazette, July 1990. Detailed summary of post-Vietnam Marine sniper developments.

  Dearolph, Jeffery E. “The Infantry Battalion Scout/Snipers: Scouts or Snipers?” Marine Corps Gazette, November 1994. Includes a history of post-Vietnam sniper training and recommends improvements in scout-sniper platoon organization.

  Dragnett, Kevin P. “Light Infantry Snipers.” Infantry. January–February 1993. Recommends standardization of sniper personnel and equipment authorizations for light infantry units.

  Dunnigan, James A. “The American Sniper.” Guns & Ammo Annual, 1981. General history of U.S. military snipers.

  Ellis, Earl S. “The U.S. Army Sniper School.” Infantry, November–December 1991. Criteria for selecting sniper students.

  Enoch, Leslie B. “Sniper—Sayonara.” Infantry, January–March 1959. Provides pros and cons on sniper training and recommends renewed studies of the concept.

  Foley, John E. “Scouts, Snipers, and Designated Riflemen.” Infantry, September-October 1990. Supports increased marksmanship training and describes the M24 sniper rifle system.

  Garavaglia, Louis A. “Snipers in Vietnam Also Need Firepower.” American Rifleman, January 1968. A discussion of the need for adequate sniper rifles in Vietnam by a veteran of the army’s 4th Infantry Division.

  Graves, Patrick H. “Observations of a Platoon Leader.” Infantry, May–June 1967. A veteran of the army’s 101st Airborne Division gives his ideas on how to counter enemy snipers.

  Greaves, Fielding L. “A Single Well-Aimed Shot.” Army, September 1987. The brief story of American marksman Timothy Murphy and British gun maker Patrick Ferguson in the Revolutionary War.

  Grigg, Weldon M. “One Shot—One Kill.” Infantry, November–December 1979. A report on the status of army sniper training.

  Hargreaves, Richard. “The Lonely Art.” Marine Corps Gazette, December 1954. A brief history of sniping, mostly British, from the Napoleonic Era through World War I.

  Harrison, E. H. “Why U.S. Match Ammunition Ranks High.” American Rifleman, July 1967. A look at the Lake City, Missouri, ammunition plant that manufactured match-quality ammunition for army and Marine snipers in Vietnam.

  Hedges, Chris. “War Is Vivid in Gun Sights of Sniper.” New York Times, February 3, 1991. Marine snipers in Operation Desert Storm.

  Hicks, Norman W. “Team Shots Can Kill.” Marine Corps Gazette, December 1963. Discusses sniping during the Korean War.

  Hofues, John L. “Modernize the Sniper Rifle.” Army, June 1957. Recommends that the post—Korean War army acquire a rifle and scope specifically made for long-range precision shooting.

  “How the Japs Train Snipers.” Military Review, October 1945. Japanese sniper training during World War II.

  Howell, Phil. “New Sniper Rifle.” Army Times, May 23, 1988. Contains a picture and a brief description of the M24 sniper rifle system.

  Jenkins, B. Wheeler. “The Shots That Saved Baltimore.” Maryland History Magazine, December 1982. The author credits American marksmen with preventing the British capture of the city in 1814.

  Johnson, David A. “At 13 Cents Per Round, Army and Marine Snipers Were Among the Most Cost-Effective Weapons Systems of the War.” Vietnam, December 1989. A brief history of army and Marine snipers in Vietnam; the title summarizes well.

  Kersey, Bob. “Turkey Shoot at 1,000 Meters.” Pacific Stars and Stripes, November 12, 1967. Sniper school and operations of the 1st Marine Division.

  Kriventsov, M. “Soviet Snipers.” Infantry Journal, October 1942. A Soviet army officer’s view of early sniper operations on the Eastern Front during World War II.

  Lawson, Chris. “Sniper.” Navy Times, April 15, 1996. A brief history of Marine snipers; includes Somalia.

  “Let’s Get the Most From Our Shooters.” Army, February 1957. Advocates sniper training in the peacetime army.

  Leuer, Kenneth C. “Sniper Training Program.” Infantry. January–February 1988. The commandant of the infantry school describes efforts to renew the army’s sniper-training course.

  Lewis, Jack. “A Matter of Accuracy.” Leatherneck, May 1996. A detailed article on post-Vietnam Marine sniper training and the M40A1 sniper rifle.

  Lister, C. B. “The Sniper.” American Rifleman, September 1942. Supports sniper training for operations in World War II.

  Little, Steward. “Sniper School Aims to Create Elite Units.” Cleveland Press, November 26, 1980. Training at Quantico’s scout-sniper school.

  Lubell, Dan. “3dMarDiv Develops Counter-Sniper Plan.” Sea Tiger, February 1, 1967. The employment of Marine snipers against enemy marksmen.

  “Marine Snipers Pick Off VC.” Saigon Observer, April 16, 1966. An account of the first sniping missions conducted by Marine captain Robert Russell and his NCOs.

  Martin, Bruce. “4th Marines Snipe at 1,000 Yards Range.” Sea Tiger, July 26, 1966. A brief article on 4th Marine Regiment snipers in Vietnam.

  Martin, Glen E. “They Call Their Shots.” Marine Corps Gazette, April 1953. Discusses Marine snipers in the Korean War.

  Mason, James D. “The U.S.M.C. Specialized ‘Varminters’ Are Now Beating the Viet Cong at Their Own Game.” Guns and Ammo, January 1968. Early account
of Marine snipers in Vietnam.

  McGuire, Frank G. “Snipers—Specialists in Warfare.” American Rifleman, June 1967. Overall history of sniping, including arly Marine efforts in Vietnam.

  Miller, Henry. “Interview: American Pointman.” Vietnam, April 1997. Includes a brief mention of snipers in Miller’s army unit.

  “Modernize the Sniper Rifle.” Army, June 1957. Calls for a replacement rifle for the C- and D-Model M1.

  Morozov, G. “Sniper Tactics.” Marine Corps Gazette, August 1943. A Soviet army officer’s view of sniping against the Germans on the Eastern Front in early World War II.

  Murphy, Jack. “Lejeune Marines Learn to Save Hides in Sniper Class.” Wilmington (NC) Morning Star, July 15, 1985. Sniper training in the 2nd Marine Division.

  —–. “Marine Snipers Learn Skill, Discipline at Special School.” Wilmington (NC) Sunday Star News, June 30, 1985. More on 2nd Marine Division sniper training at Camp Lejeune.

  —–. “Snipers Learn a Deadly Art.” Wilmington (NC) Morning Star, July 8, 1985. More on sniper training at Camp Lejeune.

  Neumann, George C. “Firearms of the American Revolution, Part I.” American Rifleman, July 1967. (Parts II, III, and IV appeared in the August, September, and October 1967 editions.) Pictures and descriptions of the Revolutionary War rifles and pistols of both sides.

  Nichols, Timothy W. “Building a Scout/Sniper Platoon.” Marine Corps Gazette, June 1996. Ideas on increasing platoon proficiency.

  Odom, William F. “The Case of the U.S. Sniper.” Infantry School Quarterly, April 1954. Supports the authorization for snipers in the post—Korean War army; includes recommendations for their training, organization, and arms.

  Ogle, Clarence O. “Let’s Get the Most From Our Shooters.” Army, February 1957. Recommends the permanent assignment of dedicated snipers in each infantry company in the post—Korean War army.

  “The Proper Way to Kill.” San Francisco Chronicle, July 18, 1968. An Associated Press article on the initial draft of the Marine Corps Sniper Manual; it also appeared in other newspapers across the country under various headlines.

  Ricks, Thomas E. “Sniper.” Marine Corps Gazette, October 1995. Emphasizes the importance of snipers in post—Cold War actions such as Haiti in 1995.

  Roberts, Craig. “At Stalingrad in 1942, the Great Battle Focused for One Deadly Moment on Sniper Versus Sniper.” World War II, September 1989. Soviet sniper Vassili Zaitsev stalks and kills a German sniper during the Battle of Stalingrad in World War II.

  Rogers, Glenn F., and Michael S. Hackney. “MILES Sniper Training.” Infantry, March-April 1983. Describes a scenario for sniper and countersniper training using the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES).

  Rozycki, Mark L. “U.S. Army Sniper School.” Infantry, May–June 1989. Describes the army’s post-Vietnam sniper school at Fort Benning, Georgia.

  Senich, Peter R. “The Shooter: Scout-Sniper Chuck Mawhinney, 103 Confirmed Kills.” Precision Shooter, December 1996. The story of Chuck Mawhinney, the most successful Marine sniper in Vietnam.

  Silkett, Wayne A. “Urban Snipers.” Infantry, September–October 1982. Techniques for sniper use in cities and towns.

  Simpson, Ross W. “One Shot, One Kill.” Leatherneck, January 1991. Marine snipers in Saudi Arabia prepare for Operation Desert Storm.

  —–. “Crosshairs on Baghdad.” Soldier of Fortune, March 1991. Expanded version of Simpson’s January 1991 Leatherneck article.

  Sines, Kenneth A. “What’s in the Future for the Sniper?” Infantry, May–June 1972. Recommends that the army maintain snipers and the M21 sniper rifle system in the post—Vietnam War era.

  “Sniping—a Neglected Art.” Army Ordnance, January–February 1946. Supports the army’s postwar retention of snipers.

  Smith, Philip W. “Marine Snipers’ Credo: One Shot—One Kill.” Washington Post, February 9, 1986. Sniper training at Quantico, with some background on Vietnam operations.

  —–. “Snipers Learn to Kill at a Distance.” Los Angeles Times, December 5, 1980. Marine sniper training at Quantico.

  Spencer, Jim. “The Sniper.” Chicago Tribune, September 7, 1986. Covers Marine sniper training of the period; includes background from Vietnam.

  Spiller, Ruth J. “Find It. Sight It, Shoot It!” Soldiers. January 1995. A brief overview of sniper training, weapons, and operations.

  Stanley, John L. “Beyond the Sniper: Special Operations Target Interdiction.” Special Warfare. July 1988. Describes post-Vietnam employment and training of snipers in Special Forces and Ranger battalions.

  —–. “New Sniper Weapon System Designed to be Rugged, Dependable and Accurate.” Special Warfare, July 1988. Describes the M24 sniper rifle system.

  Starch, Stephen G. “A Memoir of the Exploits of Captain Alexander Fraser and the Company of British Marksmen, 1776–1777.” Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research, parts I and II, Summer 1985; part III, Autumn 1985. The story of leading British organizer of marksmen in the Revolutionary War.

  Stein, Jeff. “Stealth Warriors.” Washington Post Magazine, March 9, 1997. A detailed look at current Marine snipers and their training.

  Tantum, William H., IV. “Sniping Rifles of the First World War.” Guns Review. July 1963. A survey of sniper rifles used by both sides during World War I.

  —–. “Sniping Rifles of the Second World War.” Guns Review, September 1963. A survey of sniper rifles used by both sides during World War II.

  Teegerstrom, Eric J. “Scout-Snipers: One Shot. One Kill.” Armor, July-August 1994. Recommendations on how to employ the armor and cavalry unit sniper sections.

  Thompson, P. L. “Scout-Sniper School.” Leatherneck, March 1985. A description of post-Vietnam Marine sniper training.

  Tolbert, Frank X. “Deadly Teams Emerge From This Academy.” Leatherneck, October 1943. USMC sniper training at Green’s Farm, California, during World War II.

  Trussell, John B., Jr. “He Never Missed His Aim,” Parameters 1, 1976. The story of American marksman Timothy Murphy in the Revolutionary War.

  Ukeiley, Scott E. “Reconnaissance and Surveillance: Combined Arms for the BLT.” Marine Corps Gazette, September 1996. Recommends combining the Marine Battalion Landing Team’s reconnaissance and scout sniper platoons.

  Walsh, Steven L. “Reorganizing Scout Sniper Training.” Marine Corps Gazette, July 1990. Recommends changes in Marine sniper training.

  West, Mike. “Sniper!” Octofoil, January–March 1969. A brief history of the army’s 9th Infantry Division’s sniper school in Vietnam.

  Wilson, G. E. “1st Div Scout-Snipers Killing Two VC a Day.” Sea Tiger, February 1, 1967. Contains a brief history of Captain Jim Land’s scout-sniper school.

  Wright, D. L. “Training the Scout Sniper.” Marine Corps Gazette, October 1985. Discusses use of day and night observation devices.

  Official Records/Documents/Manuals

  Army Headquarters, Canada

  Directorate of Military Intelligence. “Snipers in Action” (a translation of a USSR Ministry of War publication on the history of Soviet snipers.) September 10, 1952.

  U.S. Army

  DOCUMENTS

  U.S. Army Center for Lessons Learned. “Bulletin No. 1–88,” April 1988.

  U.S. Army Combat Developments Command. “Trip Report (33–69), Sniper Program,” April 28, 1969.

  U.S. Army Concept Team in Vietnam. “Final Report—Sniper Operations and Equipment,” February 23, 1968.

  U.S. Army 41st Division Training Note No. 3. “163 Infantry: Counter-Sniping from Musket Perimeter,” 1943.

  U.S. Army Ground Forces, Pacific. “Report Number 183: Training and Use of Snipers,” January 5, 1945.

  U.S. Army Infantry School. “Snipers,” student paper by John W. Pinkston, August 1971.

  U.S. Army Marksmanship Training Unit. “Accurized National Match M14 Rifle,” June 23, 1968.

  —–. “Sniper Firing Data Book,” May 13, 1968.

  U.S. Army 9th Infantry Div
ision. “Operational Report—Lessons Learned.” July 1967–September 1970.

  —–. “Sniper Training and Employment in the 9th Infantry Division.” July 15, 1967.

  U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division. “Operational Report—Lessons Learned.” January 1969–October 1970.

  FIELD MANUALS

  FM 21–27. “Combat Training of the Individual Soldier and Patrolling,” October 1950.

  FM 21–75. “Combat Training of the Individual Soldier and Patrolling,” January 19, 1962.

  FM 23–5. “U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1,” September 26, 1958.

  FM 23–5. “U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, M1,” May 17, 1965.

  FM 23–10. “Sniper Training,” August 17, 1994.

  TRAINING CIRCULARS

  TC 23–11. “Starlight Scope, Small Hand-Held or Individual Weapons Mounted Model No. 6060,” November 1966.

  TC 23–14. “Sniper Training and Employment,” October 1969.

  TECHNICAL MANUALS

  TM 5–9341. “Operation and Maintenance Instructions for Sniperscopes Models M1 and M2,” August 1951.

  TM 5–9342A. “Repair Instructions for Sniperscope, Infrared Set No. 1,” April 1952.

  TM 9–270. “U.S. Rifle. Cal..30, M1903A4 (Sniper’s) Characteristics and Operation; and Use of Telescopic Sight,” September 28, 1943.

  TM 9-1005-205-12. “Operator’s and Organizational Maintenance Manual Including Repair Parts and Special Tool Lists: Rifle, Cal. 30 M1903A4 (Sniper’s).” December 1970.

  TM 9-1005-221-10 (draft). “Operator’s Manual: Rifle, 7.62 mm, XM21, Sniper W/Adjusting Ranging Telescope and Mount With Equipment,” November 1969.

  U.S. Department of Defense

  Weapons and Equipment—Southeast Asia. 1965.

  U.S. General Accounting Office

  “Army’s Civilian Marksmanship Program Is of Limited Value,” May 23, 1990.

  U.S. Marine Corps

  DOCUMENTS

  Equipment for the American Sniper by George O. Van Orden and Calvin A. Lloyd, 1942.

  Marine Corps Competitive Shooting by Robert E. Barde, 1961.