FIELDCRAFT, SNIPING AND INTELLIGENCE
Lt-Col. N. A. D. Armstrong
GALE AND POLDEN LTD, Aldershot, 1942
The 1942 5th edition of the classic WW2 sniping handbook. It was written by Lt-Colonel Nevill Armstrong, a Canadian Officer who served with distinction on the Western Front during the First World War and became one of the greatest experts in the art of sniping. Armstrong served in France between 1915 and 1917, being mentioned in despatches four times. He was Chief Instructor at the 2nd Army School of Scouting, Observation, and Sniping from 1915-16, and Commandant of the Canadian Corps School of Sniping from 1917-18. The book covers all aspects of sniping, fieldcraft and intelligence. It was largely based on Armstrong's experiences in the trenches, and includes detailed instructions for snipers operating in trench warfare, along with descriptions of hides, loopholes, sniper suits, and all the other equipment and techniques in use at the time. It is well illustrated with many line drawings and diagrams, some of which are in colour. The book also looks at the tactical use of fieldcraft, camouflage and battlefield intelligence work.
The Allies' development of systematic sniping during WW1 was initially unpopular even among their own troops, but was an inevitable response to highly effective German sniping. In the first two years of the war German sniping was accounting for around 100 fatalities a day. By the end of the war, Allied snipers were more than matching their German opponents, thanks largely to their Canadian instructors. In Fieldcraft, Sniping and Intelligence, Armstrong defined the sniper as:
"An expert rifleman 'out to kill' who is highly trained in observation and the use of ground; equally valuable in trench and open warfare. He should be able to pick out targets exposed for only short periods and kill with a single shot from concealed positions".
At the start of the Second World War, Armstrong became an instructor in the Sniping Wing of the Small Arms Schools at Hythe and Bisley. In 1942 he became Commandant at the Royal Marine Sniping School.
Condition:
In very good condition. The boards are in very good condition, with some minor marks. The binding and hinges are very good and secure. The text, illustrations and photographs are in very good condition. The name 'J. Durlacher' i stamped on the front board and front endpapers.
Published: 1942
Illustrated with line drawings and photographs
Red boards with black titling
Dimensions: 125mm x 190mm
Pages: 223
