Middlesex Township near Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Sniper's Nest
Although individual marksmen had been employed during previous conflicts, World War One brought the sniper into the modern age of battle. From camouflaged positions, designated marksmen armed with scoped rifles searched for individual targets. Snipers were used to return limited offensive operations through harassing fire in the tactical deadlock of trench warfare. Most American snipers were armed with a M1903 Springfield Rifle fitted with a M1908 or 1913 Warner & Swasey Telescopic Musket Sight, which offered about twice the magnification power of German sniper scopes at the time.
Private Graves, of the Second Squad, was on duty during the day as a sniper. He had a specially prepared and camouflaged nest, where he could observe the enemy trenches. We heard him fire occasionally. Of course, if the enemy had located his nest they would have blasted it with artillery fire… Snipers on both sides kept a constant watch for anyone who exposed himself.
Mechanic Donald D. Kyler, Company G, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Division
[Captions:]
Sniper of the 1st Division in his "nest" in the Ansauville Sector, France, January, 1918.
Sniper armed with a M1903 Springfield Rifle and a M1913 Warner & Swasey scope of Company L, 127th Infantry Regiment,
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Erected by The United States Army War College; United States Army Heritage and Education Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World I. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1918.
Location. 40° 12.39′ N, 77° 9.476′ W. Marker is near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It is in Middlesex Township. Marker can be reached from Army Heritage Trail south of Soldiers Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 95 Army Heritage Trail, Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Front (here, next to this marker); Splinter Proof (a few steps from this marker); Machine Gun Post (a few steps from this marker); No Man's Land (a few steps from this marker); The Mortar Pit (a few steps from this marker); Meet Mechanic Donald D. Kyler (a few steps from this marker); Welcome to the World War I Trench System Exhibit (a few steps from this marker); Command Post (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carlisle.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The original marker at this location.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 67 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 1, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
