German Sniper Training and Combat - Scharfschützen Ausbildung und Einsatz - Matthäus Hetzenauer

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Today we’ll look at different original films that show German snipers. Snipers are a force multiplier and with the invasion of the Soviet Union their use in the German Wehrmacht increased considerably. Sniper schools were created which specialized in training the craft of marksmanship, camouflage and movement. We’ll look at the most basic of marksman training up through advanced and creative trickery. Finally we’ll see some examples of the German sniper out in the field and talk about the most successful of them.

By November of 1944 due to high attrition rates workers associated with the Reichsarbeitsdienst which was usually tasked with construction, were ordered to receive basic soldier training.

Here the recruits are using small caliber rifles shooting at targets in a miniature modle town. They are also practicing firing at moving targets.

By this point in the war it was understood that self camouflage and recognition of camouflaged enemy soldiers were key training focuses. Also being able to estimate distances and numbers was important.

Highly decorated soldiers with practical front-line experience were used to give this training.

Soldiers who proved themselves to be adept marksmen could go through special training courses to become snipers. The most common rifle issued to snipers was the bolt action K98K and the most common sniping sight was the Hensoldt Metzler. Many snipers in the field preferred using captured Russian equipment as it tended to be more reliable in the harsh cold and dirty environment.

Here is an example of what the enemy might see looking at the German lines. A Grenadier seems to be looking around and has exposed himself. Taking a closer look at this seemingly easy target it is actually just a puppet being used to attract enemy fire. It must look realistic in order to serve its purpose as the enemy is not easily fooled.

As one soldier operates the puppet, the sniper lays in wait.

Sometimes the enemy is not easily tricked. This moving target looks more realistic. Here the sniper is also laying in wait. There must be carefully organized cooperation between the observer and the sniper for this kind of trap to work well.

Also these binoculars are meant to attract enemy fire which will give away the enemy position. The movements of such constructions must be as natural as possible to be effective.

And what’s going on here? It’s even possible to simulate a soldiers smoking while digging in. A good sniper must be creative and always capable of introducing new and more realistic ways to fool the enemy.

This soldier climbing a tree is also a puppet. But the puppet even has a rifle that can be fired from its operator below.

These kinds of high quality puppets can be easily produced with the most basic of materials.

In defensive positions, the traps will be brought and set up at night. As the sun rises they will be used.

Stock footage seen here comes from the Europa Woche series, Nr. 62 from May 2, 1944 and Nr. 92 from Nov. 28, 1944.

The training film is Nr. 668 from 1944 and also some Wochenschau stock footage was used from Nr. 697 from Dec. 1, 1943 and Nr. 737 from Nov. 18, 1944.

The most successful German sniper during WW2 was named Matthäus Hetzenauer. He served with the 3rd Mountain division and had 345 confirmed kills in a short 10 month period. His longest kill was at a range of 1,100 meters, or 3600 ft. He was a recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross.

The Scharfschützenabzeichen, or sniper badge, began being awarded on 20. Aug 1944 to soldiers for scoring 20 kills. Kills scored in close combat or general attacking or defending combat were not counted. Each kill needed to be confirmed by another soldier and reported to the unit. An officer needed to confirm the legitimacy of the reported kill.

In January of 1945 permission was given for snipers to remove the patch when being captured because the Soviets tended to immediately kill anybody wearing this badge. Matthäus Hetzenauer was captured just before the end of the war and spent 5 years in Soviet custody.

This Nov. 1944 footage shows German snipers engaging American soldiers which have occupied a factory complex. Having friendly snipers operating near your unit gave confidence to the foot soldier knowing that the enemy could be more easily held at bay. The presence of enemy snipers operating in your sector could also completely disrupt your units mission.

The snipers is constantly taking in information, looking to gain the element of surprise.

In this footage a Soviet unit has been cut off. The German tanks have pushed them into a small area and the sniper picks the enemy soldiers off one at a time from a distance. In this way the unit is able to kill the enemy while keeping losses to their own unit to a minimum.