SNIPER PLATOONS

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12485, 20 October 1938, Page 4

SNIPER PLATOONS

ORGANIZING UNITS defence rifle clubs CO-OPERATION In connection with the scheme for <the formation of sniper platoons from members of Defence Rifle Clubs, a circular recently issued by the National Rifle Association of New Zealand to all rifle club secretaries is of Interest. The circular reads as follows: “Although the circular recently forwarded to all Club Secretaries was issued prior to most annual meetings and therefore at an inconvenient time, the response has been most gratifying and has fully justified the action of your Executive in co-operat-ing with the Army Department to organize these units. To date, sixteen clubs have replied, and with one exception, they welcome the scheme and accept it in the right spirit—that is. as an opportunity for the specialised training of our younger members to be used to best advantage in the home defence of New Zealand. Incidentally, eleven clubs, only two being -in city areas, have handed in 83 names. Some of the comments may be of interest: —

‘Having had 2S years of sniping with the N.Z.E..F. and knowing the advantage gained by having marksmen of ability, I wish the movement the best of luck and may it continue to expand.’

‘ the committee were unanimous in that the idea was a good one.’ Among the names submitted by this club are: — * who won the club Service Championship and is already a keen Territorial.’ ‘ a good Service shot and a first class man at deer stalking.’ “The best possible men for a sniper unit..

“Still another club says: ‘I am satisfied that the scheme outlined will not only produce first class snipers but also stimulate local interest in the Territorials (who in this .district have been made Honorary Members of the club.)’ ‘We do not anticipate any difficulty in securing 20 volunteers — A recruiting committee has also been appointed— ’ “Queries raised by clubs have been discussed with Major G. H. Clifton, M. N.Z.S.C., of Army Headquarters, who has supplied the following explanation:— (a) The “Conditions of Service” phamphlet sets out most details regarding Territorial service—except for the question of age. (b) Members join as Territorials — that is, they must be within the ages of 18 to 32 years (up to 35 in special cases) and they volunteer to serve for three years (although able to get out at any time). ; (c) Riflemen already have the first requirement of a, sniper; they know how to use their rifles with scientific accuracy on the range. If they are a'lso physically fit and stalkers and intelligent they are ideal snipers. •(d) Snipers are specialists and will concentrate most of their training on this work. But they will naturally appear in public as members of their Territorial Regiment, and therefore must be able to drill reasonably well. For those who have done no military service this grounding in drill can be obtained quickly (and pleasantly) by attending a six-days’ Recruits’ Course (held monthly) at one of the District Schools (Narrow Neck, Trentham, and Burnham.) (e) As Territorials, sniper platoons will attend the annual six days’ camp of the Regiment—and carry on with specialist training.. They will have excellent opportunities of practising as “enemy” on the other troops. (f) The six days’ course of instruction for selected snipers will be held at Trentham in conjunction with the N. Annual Meeting. Riflemen who cannot attend this course will be able •to attend other courses at district Schools if they so desire. (g) For annual camp and for courses of instruction, the pay is 7s per day plus 5s camp allowance for six days, plus an extra day’s pay (at 7s) going to and from the camp; etc. (h) Territorials do an extra eight days “out-of-camp” training, either as four week-ends or evening and half-day parades or a combination of both. They receive 7s per day for this. Snipers may count club shooting towards 50 per cent of their out-of-camp. training time. (j) Each sniper platoon will be commanded by a specially selected Territorial Officer; wherever possible .N.C.O’s. will be promoted within the platoon itself. Ultimately the platoon commander may be one of these N.C.O’s.

(k) Each sniper will be issued with a specially selected 1914 pattern rifle, which is normally fitted with an aperture sight.

I (1) Each platoon will have four telescopic sights for training purposes; there are insufficient to. make an individual issue. “You may be interested to hear that the British Army are training 72 men per rifle battalion as “stalker! snipers,” and consider that, although ,the light machine gun (Bren or Lewis) is the main infantry weapon; the rifle is no museum piece, and that riflemen with specialised training are essential. They can “bag” enemy leaders and patrols, and open slits in a tank or armoured car are good targets for a good sniper.”