Impossible Shots

[Rookie]

Did anyone else see the episode where the WWII Army sniper was honored by Impossible Shots? I like this show but this was the best episode yet. Must admit I got a little misty over it. Saved it.

86 year old sniper that survived the Battle of the Bulge, although loosing a leg, got to go to Ft. Benning and shoot with a sniper and his spotter. They gave him a new 03 Springfield which he shot at 300 yards. Then they spotted for him at 1000 yards on a modern bolt rifle and he put 3 rounds into the head of a steel IPSC target that measured 5 inches. Once a sniper always a sniper.

Any of you North Texas boys wanna see it, let me know.

 

[KHOOKS]

Re: Impossible Shots

Not from North Texas but I'd like to see it.

 

[ORD]

Re: Impossible Shots

I remember seeing it a while back and thinking to myself that I hope to hell I am as well off as the WWII sniper when I am his age (if I make it that long)!

It was impressive to say the least!

The commemorative rifle they presented him with was a Gibbs reporduction 1903A4 (they are made <2hrs away from me in Martinsburg, WV). I don't recall the specs on the more modern bolt gun they put him behind, but it was a .308win in a JP Chassis IIRC.

 

[dadzic]

Re: Impossible Shots

I would also love to see it if you can provide a link. Thanks

 

[ArcticLight]

Re: Impossible Shots

Saw that, mighty impressed!

 

[jmanrogers]

Re: Impossible Shots

I too saw that episode and I thought to myself, WOW! For this man to have survived the Battle of the Bulge is something. Then they put a rifle in his hands and hit steel at 1000yrds. Most shooters can't do this! He is 86yrs old and probably hasn't been to the range in a few years but nevertheless, once a SNIPER always a SNIPER! I tried finding that episode, but can't. I would like to see it again.

 

[dadzic]

Re: Impossible Shots

Those old guys are though as nails. Surviving WWII was hard enough but fighting it must have been a living nightmare. I was on the range the other day and was complaining how my fingers were frozen from the wind and the freezing rain, then I thought about what some of those guys had to go through and decided to quit my bitching. When the winter hit most soldiers were not even provided with winter uniforms, they scraped up what they could and headed to the front. I think there are accounts where guys would spend weeks in the foxholes, battling the elements and the enemy. I can only imagine what it's like freezing your ass off, being shelled every day, and anticipating an enemy attack every minute of every day. Them boys really defined what it means to have nerves of steel. I'm sure some of you guys have seen the Shootout episode dedicated to the Battle of the Bulge, but if you haven't put it on your to do list. You wont consider it time wasted I can guarantee you that.

 

[dadzic]

Re: Impossible Shots

I'm not sure what the rules are about posting links to diff websites on SnipersHide, but if it's ok I could look online and find the clip of the episode for you guys.

 

[Sharpshooter]

Re: Impossible Shots

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dadzic</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Those old guys are though as nails. Surviving WWII was hard enough but fighting it must have been a living nightmare. I was on the range the other day and was complaining how my fingers were frozen from the wind and the freezing rain, then I thought about what some of those guys had to go through and decided to quit my bitching. When the winter hit most soldiers were not even provided with winter uniforms, they scraped up what they could and headed to the front. I think there are accounts where guys would spend weeks in the foxholes, battling the elements and the enemy. I can only imagine what it's like freezing your ass off, being shelled every day, and anticipating an enemy attack every minute of every day. Them boys really defined what it means to have nerves of steel. I'm sure some of you guys have seen the Shootout episode dedicated to the Battle of the Bulge, but if you haven't put it on your to do list. You wont consider it time wasted I can guarantee you that. </div></div>

My grandfather was in the Bulge, he told me he was a cook before the initial artillery barrage that the Germans loosed before moving in their troops. After the shelling was over he was infantry. I catch hell for saying it and I do not mean it badly, but the troops today do not have it no where near as bad in combat as those old gents did. The fact that as many survived as they did is amazing to me, not to mention they were fighting against professional well equipped soldiers.

 

[dragonlvg]

Re: Impossible Shots

My Grandad started service as a tech Seargant fitting boots, owned a shoe store here in Billings Montana and ended up at a recruit Depot fitting shoes and boots for soldiers headed to the Pacific, when things got ugly he was handed a rifle, a squad and sent to pacific theater. NO basic training, no NCO school,, nothing. he made it home and I guess most of his guys did to(he wouldnt talk about it much)I will miss that man the rest of my life and i know he is sitting in The Halls with other warriors, having a beer and swapping stories, and cheating at cards.May he rest in peace.