Two Soldiers Killed by One Bullet. Taliban Sniper Used Old British Rifle

Gather ^ | July 09, 2011 | Dexter X. South

[bkopto]

Two Soldiers in Afghanistan knelt to study their map. One quick shot rings out, and both men fall. One shot through the head and the other through the neck. Considering all of today's military technology, it is surprising to learn how it happened.

Private Lewis Hendry and Private Conrad Lewis were part of a patrol looking for a sniper that had fired upon another group of soldier's the day before. Once they came to the suspected area, the two soldiers knelt behind a wall and started looking at their map as they called out for a possible target location. A shot rang out and both men fell to their right. One died immediately, the other passed away in flight to a medical facility.

Military officials say the culprit is a 55-year-old Afghan male who uses an old Enfield rifle made in Britain. The rifle is just one of millions made since 1903. Different versions have been the favorite of snipers for over one hundred years. Highly accurate and simple to use, the bolt-action Enfield has been found in almost every war since their inception. Equipped with a powerful scope, they can be deadly at great distances. However, a well-trained and disciplined sniper can kill easily with just the basic rifle.

Ironically, the two solders were members of the British military, the very same army for which the weapon was designed. Americans often discount the power, ability and dedication of the British military. This tragic incident is just one of many for British soldiers as they have tread beside our own in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Intentionally killing two soldiers with one shot is the hallmark of a dedicated sniper. It does matter if he used an antique fire arm and rides around on a common motorbike. This sniper is one to be reckoned with and is described by Sergeant Major Richard Hames of Britain's 3 PARA unit as "the most well-trained and patient assassin we have come up against in Afghanistan." Do not worry; it will not be long before the sniper is dead. One of the deadliest and most historic armies in the world has his number.

[Abundy]

A British .303 round is devastating. A friend of mine has a Canadian manufactured Mk IV Enfield from 1943. We took it outside into the woods and fired a few rounds, one of which took out the lower trunk of a small tree upon impact.

Worst suicide crime scene pics I ever saw was the guy who used a .303 Enfield to kill himself by placing the barrel under his jaw and firing up through his skull.

Think of the scene from Terminator 2 when the liquid metal model takes the round through the face.

[DuncanWaring]

There was once a big-game hunter in Africa who could kill elephants with them because he knew exactly where in the head an elephant’s brain was.

[Virginia Ridgerunner]

The one Swedish Mauser (M96) that I picked up is in almost mint condition, with all matching numbers and a beautiful white birch stock

Rose's was absolutely the go-to place for cheap but otherwise excellent surplus military rifles. That's where my buddy's MK IV came from, and I also bought my M96 Swede there as well. It had been packed in grease for years but its bore was perfect. I cleaned it up, sanded and refinished the banged-up stock, and added some accessories like the flash suppressor and sling, and now have a beautiful artifact, dated 1900, all for $90.

[Stonewall Jackson]

I think I might head over to Keene's Depot and see what type of neat things they might have that I'd be interested in. When I was there a few months ago, I'd noticed several Nagants and Mausers on the shelf, but I was in a hurry so I didn't stop to check them out.

There was an interesting survival gun there that I haven't been able to find on-line or anywhere else. I think it was made by Rossi, but don't hold me to it. It had a cylinder fed .45 Long Colt/.410 on the bottom (similar to the Taurus Judge) and a tube fed .22LR on the top, with the tube canted to the side so it fit into the angle between the two barrels.

I was just in there to pick up a case of ammo, but when I saw the stack of them, I slowed down for just a minute to admire it before hurrying up to the cash register. I need to go back and get the model number and price (I think they were around $550) so I can add it to my wish list.

[the scotsman]

Sorry, but American entry did not turn the tide in 1917-18.

That is not to belittle the American troops or their efforts or sacrifice.

But its a myth that American entry turned the tide. The main effort in 1917 and 1918 was still by the British. It was the British who threw back the Kaiserschlact, the last German offensive of the war. It was the British and Commonwealth troops that then undertook ‘the Hundred Days’, the counteroffensive over summer 1918 that drove

And American troops were trained behind the lines in combat tactics by both British and French officers in late 1917 and early 1918. And America relied entirely on British and French tanks and artillery pieces. A fact even uber-patriotic historians like Stephen Ambrose admitted and pointed out.

American troops did not undertake a solo attack until St Mihiel in September. Britain’s heaviest allies in 1918 were in fact Canadian and Australian units.

In 1918, the US simply didnt have the men or material to be the ‘turning point’. That I am afraid is myth.

[archy]

The durn gun is worth more than the truck LoL Who knew the Finns could design such a bad mammajamma?

Aimo Johannes Lahti, who also gave us some 50 other firearms designs, including the Lahti-Saloranta M/26 light MG, the Lahti L-35 pistol, the 7,62 ITKK 31 VKT anti-aircraft machine gun and the 20 ITK 40 VKT anti-aircraft cannon. It was his work on redisigning the M1891 Russian Moisin-Nagant rifle into what became the M/27 pystykorva, later issued to the Finnish Army as their service rifle, that may have been his greatest contribution to Finland and her Soldiers. Mr Lahti has been called Finland's John Browning, and the comparison is a fair one to both of them.

BTW: The ammo for the 20mm L/39 Norsupyssy is getting a bit pricey too, now nearing $35-$50 per round.

[mylife]

Thanks for the interesting background on Mr Lahti.

I knew the ammo was pricey nowadays, but I thought it was like $20-$25 a round. LoL

[CodeToad]

Exactly. The British subjects have become Nancyboys (kinda always were) but their military is still first rate.

[OKSooner]

"Americans often discount the power, ability and dedication of the British military. "

Not this one. The old guy that I knew who did business with them spoke only with respect when he said something about "them limeys".

[Lurker]

You haven’t seen them since because once you fire one of them you learn what an excellent rifle they are.

I bought two when I had the chance and paid $10.00 each extra for “hand select” service. Total cost for both was under $300.00. I’ll not part willingly with either of them for 5 times what I paid for them.

L

[the scotsman]

Firstly, the British arent subjects and havent been for some years.

Secondly, by British I assume you mean just English.

Thirdly, most English are working class, not upper class twits.

Lastly, a posh accent dosent equal gay or nancyboy.

[Pan_Yan]

Related articles:

What’s Inside a Taliban Gun Locker? (old bolt actions and beatup AKs)

One Way to Retire an Old Rifle

Taliban Gun Lockers: The Rifles of Rural Ghazni Province

[tet68]

You know you can get left handed bolts for the swedes,
Look in Shotgun News at the Sarco Inc. ads.
www.sarcoinc.com

They are 79 bucks for the bolt body or 125 for
a complete bolt, has a large 1 and a quarter inch
knob. MSR 487 or MSR 488.

They kind of stick up at an angle.

[tet68]

Buy two, tell her one cost 170 and the other was free.

[CodeToad]

"Firstly, the British arent subjects and havent been for some years.
Secondly, by British I assume you mean just English.
Thirdly, most English are working class, not upper class twits.
Lastly, a posh accent dosent equal gay or nancyboy."

They were subjects when I was there, and they still have a queen. A duck by any other name is till a duck.

By British, I meant almost all of them; English included, Australia excluded.

Many working class in England are twits, it doesn't take upper class to make that happen.

Few Brits have a Posh accent. Very few. And I wasn't talking about accents.

So tough ninnies.

[Stonewall Jackson]

I’ll have to check that out. Thanks.

[the scotsman]

The British havent been subjects since 1981 and the Nationality Act.

The Scots, Welsh and Northern Irish nancyboys?.....really?.

No, most of the working class in Britain are decent friendly people and not twits. No more than the working class in America are ‘all idiots’.

[CodeToad]

“The British havent been subjects since 1981 and the Nationality Act.”

I know. I was there. And, yes, the Northern Irish are pussies. Just look at the way they fight. Cowards. The Welsh? Sorry, but never thought much of them. Scot? Maybe you might have a point there. They certainly are not English.

The Brits have let the mooselimbs take over their country. Not exactly brave and strong. Friendly is one thing, doormat is another.

[mad_as_he$$]

I know two Marine snipers that were tasked to take out a Towelaban shooter in Afcrapistan. Took them a week to get the guy with a chip shot of 150 yards. The guy made the mistake of shooting from the same place twice in two days.

[hiredhand]

Good shooting! :-) Tell em I said “GOOD JOB”!