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The Australasian, September 28, 1940,VICTORYON THE RANGEBy MARKERA LTHOOOH several vcdti have parsed - * nothin* ^finite hits yet been devised In Victoria to utiUw* the services of the thousands of civilian marksmen under the scheme axrwd to by the Military Board. In isolated centre*, particularly anion* country unlta. wme progress has been made, but In the metropolitan area, where there are mure than 20 strong clubs, activities have* practically ceased since the cancellation of open range shooting.A CCORDING to reliable sources the Oer-mans are being armed with a new-pattem Mauser rifle, ntted with a telescopic sight. The rifle Is light and capable of extremely rapid fire. The telescopic sight Is fitted with the usual cross hairs, but is also luminous for night shooting. These rifles are issued to those who may be used as parachute troops. They are also issued with a special powder, contained in small kernels, which reat :t» to the atmosphere on release, causing an effective smoke screen.*T*H£ telescopic sight has not been devel-* oj»ed In the British Army to the aame extent as in America or on the Continent. Those who have used the telescopic sight on th? service rifle know its value. Even at extreme ranges the target Is as clear cut as a cameo. During the last war the telescopic sight was of great value to snipers As an aid against parachute troops It would maJu- accurate marksmanship doubly certain It is merely a moderately powered telescope fitted along the rifle barrelA BOUT two years ago the Hythe School * of Musketry lt;Eng.) turned Its attention to the teaching of sniping. Marksmanship of a high order was essential. In addition, the sniper must be a hunter _ __ with a full knowledge of how to utilise- TRAr S l*,e *Ufhte*t cover, camouflage, a vivid “* imagination, and the ability to make uphis mind and act quickly. What was Insisted upon was that the target must be definitely hit with the flm shot.I C. McLeanrg. who won the 5f champions cup. ay when he won ’s sparrow chain -He had the best ting 15 sparrows mditlons were 15 misses to eltmln-nly Rolls, Newtnn .W.), and Cal-nd) were left In. birds. *,Calroasie“ 13th round, and bird. Rolls shotrpHERE are In the various units of the A I P. In training, both here and abroad, some of the finest marksmen In the Empire. As sniper-sialkers, years of traln-ing In rifle clubs has fitted them for this specialist branch of the Army. Marksmanship of this standard cannot be assimilated m a few weeks of tratning, but Intensive instruction under qualified Instructors could. In a few months, produce a splendid body of sharpshooters.
Newspaper Details
Melbourne Australasian
Melbourne, Victoria, AU
Sat, Sep 28, 1940
Page 6
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
CO, USA 09 Dec 2019
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