Re: Good Non-Fiction Sniper Book...?
Colson. Yes, anyone that reads <span style="font-weight: bold">Sniping In France</span> can see, quite clearly, where the meat and potatoes came from that went into the soup so avidly pursued by professionals and hobbyists today.
If I had to add just one more book, it would be <span style="font-weight: bold">One Round War: USMC Scout Snipers in Vietnam, by Peter Senich</span>. (His passing was a loss to this aspect of history.) In terms of truth, NOTHING else even comes close, although the entire story can never be told because it depends so greatly on the position of the observer. For every fan there is a detractor whose unit was just down the road with the scars and photos and stories to back up his contentions. For every tale of this or that "greatest man ever" there is a Lance Corporal with bullet holes in his body that will question who and how often people actually left the wire (for the modern day, use FOB in place of wire). For every tale from the "top shooter" there are 100 factoids to apply the terse inspecting needed to get at the truth. (Note: one must examine the story's teller as well as the protagonists.)
I had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Senich at length about his research a few years back while he stayed at my home. As a few have cautiously mentioned, one of diminutive fluorescence for instance, much flair has been assigned to a short list of individuals not only for their own notoriety but also to add substance and sustenance to an ever growing capability and tactical need. (The 'need' to sell books will not be mentioned here). Lists of numbers and 'confirmeds' catch the eye of the reader but in the end certainly few facts are indeed confirmable. At any level of command, I ask why I would allow any sized unit to be pinned by a gunman for 3 days since any sun that must go up must also go down.
Lucky it might be to have sat with the fine fellows who are what the bigger story is all about. On Saturday evening, I was fortunate to dine with a scout sniper of Lt
William Hawkins platoon, from the Betio Battalion, 3/2 (Unas Supra!) Having read every known book about the battle of Tarawa, I got a chuckle hearing him tell me that the authors were mostly wrong.
With every story there must be a start. In my own experiences and studies I have found Sniping in France to present that opportunity to people interested in the technical aspects as well as the tactical. In One Shot-War, Senich modernizes and lights the path for your journey. Sadly, I am beginning to realize that the path may have no end....