Notes on Training for Rifle Fire in Trench Warfare

This concise 1917 military guide was prepared for officers tasked with shaping infantry firepower in the cramped, deadly world of trench warfare. It builds on the standard Small Arms Firing Manual, but zeroes in on the practical lessons learned on the Western Front, where individual aimed fire up to 400 yards became a matter of survival. The author stresses disciplined target description and fire control, showing how soldiers can adapt basic rifle skills to the maze of fire trenches, support lines, and barbed‑wire obstacles that dominate the battlefield.

The second part turns to the emerging art of sniping, treating it as a specialized, technical service rather than an ad‑hoc activity. Readers learn how a battalion‑level sniper group is organized, the qualifications expected of its members, and the blend of sharpshooting expertise with the cunning of a poacher required to protect positions and disrupt enemy raids. Practical drills for observation, concealment, and precise shooting are outlined, offering a clear roadmap for training effective marksmen in the harsh conditions of modern trench combat.