By Kevin M. Hymel

Snipers played an important a role in World War II, just as much as any tank, airplane, or artillery piece. Stalking in the shadows, poised in one spot for hours, snipers waited out their prey and struck with deadly accuracy. Soviet snipers came to prominence during the defensive phase of the war, 1941 to 1943, culminating in the Battle of Stalingrad. After that, the advantage shifted to German snipers as the Soviets made rapid advances. In the rubble-filled streets of Stalingrad, or on the Steppe, the Soviets trained new snipers in the art of concealment and precision firing. At the height of World War II the Red Army produced 220 snipers.

Captain Valsily Zaytsev was the Soviet Union’s most famous sniper, killing an estimated 400 Germans, but other snipers also racked up impressive numbers. Sergeant Nikolai Turtsev killed 135 Germans, Sergeant Mikhail Markovichenko killed 210 Germans and damaged two tanks, and Sergeant Fedor Pekov killed 344 Germans. They would all take time off from the front lines to teach the tactics and mechanics of sniping to aspiring students. The students included women snipers. Major Lyudmila Pavlichenko, considered to be the most successful female sniper with 309 kills, became a sniper instructor after she was wounded by mortar fire.

Teaching new snipers varied by location. Inside Stalingrad’s Lazur Chemical Plant, instructors stood over their students, instructing them as they fired at helmets, observation slits, and outlines of human torsos—all drawn onto the far wall. In the countryside snipers were trained in open areas where they could learn to dig in and blend with the environment. Captain Zaystev taught “sixes” to his students: covering a large position from three positions with two-man sniper teams.

The training paid off on the battlefront, as unsuspecting enemy soldiers dropped by the hundreds, victims of well-placed shots. Zaystev’s students alone killed 6,000 Germans. The Russians’ skill with a rifle also had an effect on enemy soldiers not killed. The Germans became afraid to lift their heads in daylight hours.

Sergeant Fedor Pekov demonstrates to his pupil, Vladimir Mikheyev, how to dig in and camouflage himself.
Sergeant Fedor Pekov demonstrates to his pupil, Vladimir Mikheyev, how to dig in and camouflage himself.
Sergeant Mikhail Markovichenko, Sergeant Nikolai Turtsev, and Sergeant Fedor Pekov were considered three of the Soviet Union’s best snipers.
Sergeant Mikhail Markovichenko, Sergeant Nikolai Turtsev, and Sergeant Fedor Pekov were considered three of the Soviet Union’s best snipers.
Sergeant Mikhail Markovichenko and his student Nikolai Sefin use a barricade of downed trees as a sniper’s nest and keep a sharp eye out for movement to their front.
Sergeant Mikhail Markovichenko and his student Nikolai Sefin use a barricade of downed trees as a sniper’s nest and keep a sharp eye out for movement to their front.
Sergeant Fedor Pekov takes aim at his vantage point while Vladimir Mikheyev uses his binoculars to scan for the enemy. Much of sniping was a question of waiting, sometimes for days.
Sergeant Fedor Pekov takes aim at his vantage point while Vladimir Mikheyev uses his binoculars to scan for the enemy. Much of sniping was a question of waiting, sometimes for days.
An unsuspecting German appears over the ridge, while Sergeant Fedor Pekhov and Vladimir Mikheyev lie in wait. Two Germans eventually appeared over the ridge.
An unsuspecting German appears over the ridge, while Sergeant Fedor Pekhov and Vladimir Mikheyev lie in wait. Two Germans eventually appeared over the ridge.
Vladimir Mikheyev fired first, killing his prey. He would go on to kill 13 Germans.
Vladimir Mikheyev fired first, killing his prey. He would go on to kill 13 Germans.
Sergeant Pekhov fired next, increasing his tally of dead Germans to 344.
Sergeant Pekhov fired next, increasing his tally of dead Germans to 344.

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