British Intelligance Sections

Sorry this isn't a aviation subject but it's pretty interesting, In 1916 the British Army recruited big game hunters from Africa & expert marksman from Australia & Canada plus men from the front lines & formed Intelligence Sections composed of 8 snipers, 8 scouts, & 8 observers & assigned to each battalion. The snipers operated in two man teams & the scouts were sent to scout out the front lines. One Canadian trapper claimed to have 125 kills . If you have any info please share it with me if you could.

Keith,

I remember finding a book at the University of Manitoba's law library entitled "Snipers in France". It was a history of the scout-sniper detachments written shortly after the war by their founding officer. It not only detailed their duties, but also their training system (there was even an appendix not unlike an instruction manual for the Lee-Enfield rifle). I read it a couple of years ago, and has some pretty interesting stories in it. You may be able to find out if it is still there and if the library could give you more information through the U of M website (<<http://www.umanitoba.ca>>).

[Michael Skeet]

I'm currently doing some reading on Canadian infantry units during WWI; apparently snipers in the Canadian battalions continued to use the much-reviled Ross Rifle after it had been superseded in regular service. The Ross's accuracy was sufficient, I guess, to compensate for its notorious bolt, which was prone to sticking when British-made ammunition was used.

[Vigilant]

How exactly did they gather intelligence, as opposed to just taking people out?

I think the book's called SnipING in France. I'll try and find out details but it may be after the hols.

Cheers Brad

Apparently these units would man observation posts in the trenches, looking through peep-holes across no-man's land. Sniping was just another of their duties. For example, one of the anecdotes in the book I mentioned in my last post concerned a cat seen sunning itself on sandbags at a particular unused spot of the German line for a period of several days. This was reported by the int section, leading to aerial recce which identified a new German company HQ bunker in the previously thought unused trench line. The artillery then blasted the area.

[Barrett]

The WW I memoir is "Sniping in France" by Maj. Hesketh-Pritchard, still printed by Lancer, I think. You might check the Sniper Country web site for additional sources.
Scout-sniper sections (as they were called) dealt in intelligence gathering as well as sniping. Marine Corps teams still use that terminology. The reason is that by definition the sniper needs good optics to do his primary job, but frequently observation and reporting are more important than shooting.
In WW I the Germans began with a decided technical and doctrinal advantage which lasted into 16. After that the Brits made a strong effort to redress the situation, and depending upon whom you read, either the war ended with the UK dominant or largely a standoff. Trouble on both sides was, it proved far easier to crank the field telephone attached to an arty battery rather than engage in countersniping.
Note that sniping does not always involve long-range shooting. I can usually make a first round hit on a 12x18 in. plate at 880 yds but most WW I sniping was well under 300 yds--often 50. The patience, skill and cunning required to put a round into a target only several inches square with a few seconds exposure time is of another magnitude. According to the Mel Gibson version of Gallipoli, "It tykes a speshul koind of man to myke a snoipah."
Stone the crows with your didgery-do, mate.

Heres a book that doesn't have to do with snipers but may be of interest. It might be had through interlibrary loan. "The Intelligence Service Within The Canadian Corps 1914-1918" by Major J.E.Hahn, published by Macmillan Co,Toronto,1930.
Some of the topics it covers are "Interpretation of Aeroplane Photographs, Examination of Prisoners and Captured Documents, Patrols, Raids and Reconnaisance".
Ron B.

[Andrew_Smith]

I don't know about France but William "Billy" Sing an Australian Trooper from the Australian 5TH Light Horse racked up over 150 Turks at Gallipoli.

On one occasion he had General Birdwood as his observer. This particular day was quite windy and as Billy lined up his first Turk, a gust of wind caused Billy to miss, he calmly aimed again and dropped the Turk, spinning him out of the trench. Billy then turned to General Birdwood and told him he would not be adding that Turk to his score, when Gen. Birdwood asked him why Billy said that the reason for not adding the Turk to his score was simple, he was aiming at the Turk next to him.

On the 23rd of October Gen. Birdwood announced his compliments to Billy for killing 201 Turks. Although I think the score is lower, however there are reports that his score could be higher, as Billy was said to only count Turks with a rank of Sergeant or an officer.

There is another great yarn about Billy taking out the Turkish Champion called "Abdul the Terrible" (sounds like a wrestler) but that can be read at the website.

http://www.lighthorse.org.au/Pershist/billsing.htm

Regards,
Andrew Smith

British Intelligence?!? Sounds like an oxymoron to me.