Secondary weapons for snipers?

If I were a German sniper in WW2 I'd be carrying a P38 and a couple of egg grenades. I wouldn't carry a Luger (a good pistol but too prone to dirt getting in) and no stick grenades, because they might hinder my movement when crawling, lying prone etc. If you're a sniper you want to be able to get as close to the ground as possible, and you want to be comfortable, you might need to stay still for a long time, and you couldn't do that with a couple of stick grenades sticking into your stomach. Oh yeah, a sharp bayonet or knife as well.

Same goes if I was a British sniper, a semi-auto pistol like a Browning 9mm, or a Colt .45 auto, and a couple of grenades.

You need something for close combat just incase you get surprised.

_________________

Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponents fate
- Sun Tzu, The Art of War

 

Erich, they would have been close to each other. Below follows an extract from an interview with a former soviet sniper.

A.D. And partners were always next to each other?

Klavdia Kalugina- Yes, at arm's length. Together all the time.

Klavdia Kalugina

regards/ daniel

[ 25. October 2002, 09:42 AM: Message edited by: charlie don't surf ]

 

Daniel :

This might of been the case for the soviets. I have not heard of the Germans being within 6 feet of one another as it would of made two targets instead of one. In Ost Preussia in 1945 my friend Helmuth and his squad were sniped at continually and they would call up the mortar platoon to get rid of the pesty shooters. I wonder if as you mentioned two of the Soviets were at arms length here ? In any case it got rid of the problems.

E

 

I thought of the Sten since it is very light - 3 kgs unloaded (1 kg lighter than the MP40). Loaded mags weigh 0.7 kgs and the Sten is more compact. If you sawed off most of the stock it would be even lighter. You could stuff it in a backpack along with 3 mags and that would come to only 5 kgs in total - so a sniper could carry it as well as his rifle as long as he doesn't want to do a lot of running (not a good idea for a sniper anyway.)

The alternative is a Colt 1911 or a Browning High Power, which each weigh 1 kg unloaded. Loaded mags for both: Colt 0.25 kgs, Browning 0.33 kgs. With four mags this is a lighter option and much less bulky to carry.

However, if you get into trouble withdrawing, you're far better off with a Sten than with a pistol! If you had to you could drop your rifle and run for it with the Sten.

[ 25. October 2002, 10:48 AM: Message edited by: vonManstein39 ]

 

CDS--yep--I recognize his name--but I do not know from whom or what I know him from. When I get back here late tomorrow--ill check and see if he is in any of my "notables" lists.

 

Erich, as you I also think that it might have differed between nations and throughout the war. As you say- when a sniper was discovered he recieved every type of fire, from pistols to artillery.

regards

 

Nice propaganda photo of the sniper. You'll notice that he still has the safety on!

A secondary weapon for snipers was usually not carried. If so, it was not intended for the enemy, but for himself!

If I was a sniper, I would carry a pistol by my side, probably a P38 or Browning Hi-power. The last round would have my name on it! If your a sniper (no matter what side you were on!) there is no such thing as "surrender!"

I even talked to a Marine sniper from Vietnam once. He carred a .45 and said that the last round was going in his mouth if he was surrounded! Most of the Marine snipers had bounties on thier heads, like Carlos Halfcock! (best American Sniper!).

(Bonus question: what is inside the ball on top of a US flag post on US Military bases?)

Matt

 

Well if anyone here could find a 'in action-picture' of a german sniper I would be very grateful. I posted that picture mostly to show the observers MP40.

Tell me the answer, whats on top of the flag pole?

regards

 

let's wait a little longer. I want to see if anyone knows the answer! We'll find out how many US veterans are on this site!

Matt

 

You got me? I bet a Marine would know.

 

Earth, or should I say soil (?), from the states?

regards

 

Without a doubt I would take an SMG and extra ammo. I wouldn't want to find myself in that situation as a sniper, considering I am supposed to leave my position if compromised, and of course not let the enemy get that close-but if needs be, the SMG for sure...

 

Charlie Don't Surf-If I'm following the right fable-It's bird crap! Every morning my uncle would have to measure the pole, sometimes they would report the same height as yesterday-but the old RSM or CSM would then say-nope-cause we got a visit from the birds last night that added a few centimetres to the height!!!
Hope he liked running around the parade ground for 3 straight hours!!!

 

Yes a Marine will definately know!! In fact, it is in the Marine Corps handbook!

I can't believe nobody knows the answer?!?!?

Should I tell you all, or should I wait a little longer???,..........

Matt

 

One razor blade to cut down the flag, one match to burn it and one 45 shell for the person doing the above.

 

Steve wins the Gold medal!!!!

Congrats Steve!!

Yes, that is correct. At any US military base, on top of the base flag is a medal ball (which is called the "truck"). Open the truck, and inside will be a small bag, with the following contents: One razor blade to cut the flag in pieces (you are suppose to separate the colored stripes individually!), one box of matches to burn the flag, and one round for a standard US service pistols (use to be a .45, but now is a 9mm), there are also a set of instructions included that show you how to separte the flag and burn it properly. No insturctions on how to shoot yourself though?!

This may surprise many of the Europeans on this site, but to American this is it! As an Amercan vet myself, we are not suppose to allow the US flag to fall into enemy hands. Also we are taught to never surrender! Therefore, if the base is over-run by the enemy, you are suppose to burn the flag, and shoot yourself!

All facts!

Matt

[ 07. November 2002, 05:30 PM: Message edited by: mp38 ]

 

Is this philosophy a reaction to the US surrender at Bataan and Corregidor in the Philippines in WWII? No surrender?

Or is it a way to avoid adverse media attention? If there are no US POWs, the pacifists back home can't use their plight as an argument against war. Is it less difficult or embarrassing for the US government if their soldiers get themselves killed rather than surrender?

That's a bit harsh on the troops if they find themselves in an impossible situation. In fact it's close to the kind of thinking I'd expect to find in the Russian Army.

 

A Lueger, definately as my grandfather used to carry along with his K-98 for snipers. Even if he was most of the time commanding men than actually shooting the enemy. He says that nothing else but a pistol was needed, because you don't get too close into action and you have time to hide, run away or shoot them with your rifle.

 

Sepp Allerberger: Sniper on the eastern front

He preferred the MP 40 above anything else. Also he would not wear the camouflage uniform, instead he had an umbrella (with the handle cut short) and this was coloured and branches added to it so he could fast camouflage himself. During winter the colouring obviously was white.

 

Well, I'm surprised nobody has recognized that during WWII there were no "snipers." The term "sniper" comes after WWII. During WWII they are referred too as "Sharpshooters."

Besides if it were me carrying a secondary weapon it would be a trusty M-1918 Trench Knife its quiet..it doesn't go BANG!

Regards,
MARNE