A sniper is a highly skilled marksman who has undergone specialized training and mastered their weapon. Such marksmen appeared long before World War II. Marksmen were engaged as a special military group to kill the enemy’s commanders in the English Civil War of 1642–1648.
Before the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet Union was the only country in the world, where shooting skills were widely taught to civilians. The first sniper courses were organized in 1929 at the “Vystrel” Higher Rifle Tactical School for Command Personnel. As a result, the Soviet Union had extensive reserves of experienced snipers.
Sharpshooters were highly valued during the Great Patriotic War. One experienced sniper could kill hundreds of the enemy’s soldiers and officers. Highly skilled snipers played an important role in the Red Army and used to cast terror into the hearts of the enemy. They had a perfect command of their firearms and fought ceaselessly on the frontlines. The exhibition titled “The Feat of the Army” includes a sniper’s uniform and equipment used during the Great Patriotic War.
On the frontlines, snipers wore special camouflage smocks. The winter smock was snow-white allowing soldiers to blend into their surroundings. A sniper wearing such clothing was extremely difficult to detect and could kill hundreds of German soldiers and officers. Soviet snipers had to overcome numerous obstacles. Sometimes, they lay in trenches for days on end ready to start shooting at any moment.
The camouflage smock was first tested during the Soviet-Finnish war. Concealed by this clothing, a soldier was almost impossible to detect. The smock weighed under one kilogram. It was crucial for the smock not to produce any noise and not to impede a soldier’s movements. The durability of the clothing was particularly important. In cold weather, it also protected the wearer against wind and moisture.
Soviet snipers used Mosin’s rifles. The history of this firearm spans several decades. It was first adopted into service in 1891. It gained extraordinary popularity and was valued for its power and reliability. Snipers used this rifle with a special optical sight.
Before the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet Union was the only country in the world, where shooting skills were widely taught to civilians. The first sniper courses were organized in 1929 at the “Vystrel” Higher Rifle Tactical School for Command Personnel. As a result, the Soviet Union had extensive reserves of experienced snipers.
Sharpshooters were highly valued during the Great Patriotic War. One experienced sniper could kill hundreds of the enemy’s soldiers and officers. Highly skilled snipers played an important role in the Red Army and used to cast terror into the hearts of the enemy. They had a perfect command of their firearms and fought ceaselessly on the frontlines. The exhibition titled “The Feat of the Army” includes a sniper’s uniform and equipment used during the Great Patriotic War.
On the frontlines, snipers wore special camouflage smocks. The winter smock was snow-white allowing soldiers to blend into their surroundings. A sniper wearing such clothing was extremely difficult to detect and could kill hundreds of German soldiers and officers. Soviet snipers had to overcome numerous obstacles. Sometimes, they lay in trenches for days on end ready to start shooting at any moment.
The camouflage smock was first tested during the Soviet-Finnish war. Concealed by this clothing, a soldier was almost impossible to detect. The smock weighed under one kilogram. It was crucial for the smock not to produce any noise and not to impede a soldier’s movements. The durability of the clothing was particularly important. In cold weather, it also protected the wearer against wind and moisture.
Soviet snipers used Mosin’s rifles. The history of this firearm spans several decades. It was first adopted into service in 1891. It gained extraordinary popularity and was valued for its power and reliability. Snipers used this rifle with a special optical sight.
