Arnhem sniper

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Guys, here is a photo of a Veteran friend of mine. His name is Tony Crane. I took this photo last weekend at the XXI IPC reunion. Here he is examining a Lee Enfield .303 No.4 T sniper rifle. The No.32 telescopic sight is not fitted on this one as it is away for repair. The rifle belongs to a member of our group, I doubt that he will ever clean it again now, so as to keep Tony's fingerprints on it!
Tony was a sniper at Arnhem and is acredited for the most kills during the battle. If any of you have been to the Hartenstien Airborne museum in Oosterbeek you will have seen on exhibition the actual peice of wallpaper that Tony used to record his skills. The scene is also recreated in the 1945 film about the battle of Arnhem "Theirs is the Glory" with a soldier chalking up the kills. In the film the wording on the score sheet does not include the words "F*ck the Jerries!"
Cheers, Ade.

[Greg Sebring]

Hi Guys, here is a photo of a Veteran friend of mine. His name is Tony Crane. I took this photo last weekend at the XXI IPC reunion. Here he is examining a Lee Enfield .303 No.4 T sniper rifle. The No.32 telescopic sight is not fitted on this one as it is away for repair. The rifle belongs to a member of our group, I doubt that he will ever clean it again now, so as to keep Tony's fingerprints on it!
Tony was a sniper at Arnhem and is acredited for the most kills during the battle. If any of you have been to the Hartenstien Airborne museum in Oosterbeek you will have seen on exhibition the actual peice of wallpaper that Tony used to record his skills. The scene is also recreated in the 1945 film about the battle of Arnhem "Theirs is the Glory" with a soldier chalking up the kills. In the film the wording on the score sheet does not include the words "F*ck the Jerries!"
Cheers, Ade.

Adrian,

Great photo!!,...You can see his mind recalling the turbulent times. Does he talk about his experiences or does he prefer to keep them to himself.

Greg

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Greg, Tony and most of the other Vets from the unit will talk about the battle. Some of them will talk but sometimes have to stop as the tears choke them up as they recall how their mates were killed.
But by far most of the stories are comical things that they did. I will start a thread with a few of these stoires sometime.

Would you believe that Tony still has the very No.32 telescopic sight that he used at Arnhem I think all the lads in our groups eyes pooped out like the smilie when he told us that! He brought the rifle back over the Rhine when they pulled out and he was ordered to throw it in a plie with the rest of the weapons that had been brought back. He protested that his was a sniper rifle but was told to throw it in the heap just the sane, so he removed the sight and kept it. I hope to visit Tony to photograph the sight and some of his other items he retained, like his silk escape map. He thought all of these items were "worthless" but we have put him right on that!
Cheers, Ade.

[Adrian Stevenson]

Here is another photo of Tony. When I first met him 4 years ago I was surprised to find he was a Vet, as he looked younger that many of the others present at the reunion.
Cheers, Ade.

[Greg Sebring]

Hi Greg, Tony and most of the other Vets from the unit will talk about the battle. Some of them will talk but sometimes have to stop as the tears choke them up as they recall how their mates were killed.
But by far most of the stories are comical things that they did. I will start a thread with a few of these stoires sometime.

Would you believe that Tony still has the very No.32 telescopic sight that he used at Arnhem I think all the lads in our groups eyes pooped out like the smilie when he told us that! He brought the rifle back over the Rhine when they pulled out and he was ordered to throw it in a plie with the rest of the weapons that had been brought back. He protested that his was a sniper rifle but was told to throw it in the heap just the sane, so he removed the sight and kept it. I hope to visit Tony to photograph the sight and some of his other items he retained, like his silk escape map. He thought all of these items were "worthless" but we have put him right on that!
Cheers, Ade.

Adrian,

When time permits you,..I'd enjoy hearing some of the stories Tony related to you. My Dad speaks of many comical things too. I'm sure they helped keep you in perspective and maintain your sanity during such stressful times. Having his original scope is amazing. Imagine holding it up and looking through the lens....the images that were once viewed through it and the history it created give it a reverance and a special place in the history of WWII. By all means, if you are lucky enough to get a picture of it (ideally with Tony holding it), see if he'll let you post it for the rest of us to see.
When my Dad changed jobs and had to move a few states away years ago, he was going to throw away all his WWII goodies until I caught wind of it. I agree with you,...those items are priceless and history. Shame on us all if we let them slip away.

Regards,

Greg

[Simon O.]

Hi Adrian

Not often you hear of British snipers. Was Tony decorated for his actions at Arnhem?

My wifes grandfather was a sharpshooter (can't really call him a sniper as they had no formal training other than they were all experienced hunters) with the Norwegian 6th Division at Narvik. Although he died before i had tha chance to meet him i know he never talked about his wartime experiences but i've heard that the Norwegians were known for taking head shots against the Germans.


regards

Simon

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi Simon, no, Tony was not decorated for his part in the battle. His unit the 21st IPC did pick up a few "gongs" between them though
Cheers, Ade.

[DJT]

Still has his original scope from Arnhem!! Bloody Hell Ade Please post some pics of that when you can . Would love to take a look and also hear some stories.

Regards,

Des

[paddywhack]

i found out a few months ago that my great grand dad was a sniper in the trench in ww1! he got wounded by a shell in 1915 and went back to england for the rest of the war! my grand-dad said that he said it was the best thing that ever happened to him!!!!

[Greg Sebring]

Interesting Sniper book

A very interesting book to read about snipers is:Marine Sniper: 93 Confirmed Kills by Charles Henderson and E.J. Land. It chronicals Carlos Hathcock and his incredible record in Viet Nam. Hathcock basically started the Marine Corps Scout/Sniper program. The book reads fast and is hard to put down. You will have much more appreciation of those that look through the scope than you had before you started reading the book. Amazon is one place to find it for around $8.00. Check your local library or bookstore.

[deejay]

Escape map

Ade,

I read that Tony had a escape map on silk. I was wondering which one and maybe if it is the same one I have in my collection. Can you post a picture maybe?

many regards,

DJ

[Adrian Stevenson]

Hi DJ, I will have to ask him about it. I will be seeing him again, all being well, in May at the next reunion.


Cheers, Ade.

[Si1964]

Hi Ade,

Thanks for the interesting story, I look forward to your further posts concerning Tony & his stories.

[deejay]

Okay, thank you Ade.