U.S. soldiers showcasing a camouflaged Springfield sniper rifle and ghillie suits, May 18, 1918.
U.S. soldiers showcasing a camouflaged Springfield sniper rifle and ghillie suits, May 18, 1918. These photographs, one colourised by Colourised PIECE of JAKE, were all taken 105 years ago at Badonviller. The pictured soldiers were from the 168th Infantry Regiment, U.S. 42nd 'Rainbow' Infantry Division. Snipers were a constant threat to soldiers on frontline duty during the First World War. If one was not careful and accidentally peaked their head above the trench parapet for just a second, a skilled enemy sniper could make them pay dearly. The following is the account of British Lieutenant-Colonel Randolph Arthur Chell from the 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment on his first time on sniper duty on the Western Front in September 1915: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ "After about fifteen minutes quiet watching - with my rifle in a ready position - I saw a capless bald head come up behind the plate. The day was bright and clear and I hadn't the slightest difficulty in taking a most deliberate ai...