THE world’s deadliest sniper is a British Royal Marine who has racked up 173 confirmed enemy kills fighting the Taliban.
That beats the 160 of American Sniper marksman Chris Kyle.
A source said of the unnamed marine: “He’s a legend. A unique breed.”
Kyle, whose exploits feature in Oscar-tipped film American Sniper, is heralded as the most lethal gunman in US history.
Most of the British corporal’s “kills” took place during one six-month Afghan tour.
The sniper once averaged a lethal strike every ten minutes.
At his most deadly he was said to have hit more than 90 fighters in a single Taliban stronghold in one day.
But sources close to the unnamed British marksman say his 173 count is “conservative” — and unconfirmed kills would take it higher still.
Royal Marine sniper who has 173 kills
Royal Marine sniper who has 173 kills
One said: “Only people inside the community know about his incredible contribution — but young recruits are in awe of him.
“He is one of a unique band of marksmen who have done extraordinary things.
“He’s not the sort of man to brag. He’s very professional and humble, but with a gun in his hands this bloke is deadlier than the plague. He’s a legend, a unique breed.”
The Sun knows the identity of the sniper, a married dad who grew up in the South of England, but is not revealing it for security reasons.
Those close to him say he is a supremely professional individual who never “dehumanised” targets.
The source said: “He will never talk about it unless he is challenged directly, then he is never boastful of what has happened — but he is not ashamed either.
“Every shot was judged and balanced, not indiscriminate. He always saw the men between the cross hairs as humans not as targets.
“He is not interested in scores or kill counts. He took no satisfaction in the job he had to do.
American Sniper
The Oscar-tipped film
“Like all snipers he had to be in a place where his concentration was absolute. Nothing mattered, not the cold, not the discomfort of the ground, just the job.
“Because he saw the enemy as humans he has not struggled *emotionally or psychologically with what has happened.
“He had a unique job at a unique time. He must be the most lethal sniper in the world.
“But that is not a title he would seek out or revel in.”
Most of the marine’s kills occurred during Operation Herrick V over the winter of 2006/7 when the Afghan war was in its infancy.
He was at that point serving with the elite Brigade Reconnaissance Force across Helmand.
The sniper was armed with an L115 A3 Alpha which fires a .338 calibre bullet with incredible accuracy over ranges exceeding a kilometre.
During Operation Herrick troops were working under rules of engagement that said they could strike any enemy target with lethal force.
The rules later changed so that soldiers could engage only if their life was in direct danger. The marine has served for more than a decade. A source said: “He has done over five tours from Northern Ireland to Afghanistan and Iraq. Not all have been as a sniper, but the key tour was across 2006 and 2007.
“The BRF troops would surge through designated areas hunting the Taliban up and down the *Helmand River.
“They would get into position before first light taking up concealed spots over whole urban sprawls full of Taliban.
“People who know the story say he would take out sentries in spider holes, stood up to their shoulders in pits dug in the ground.”
The sniper’s record is known to only a small circle of friends, *comrades and officers.
The source said: “Only some close friends and family know the true extent of his achievements.
“Most only know the myth, but word has spread about it. Recruits come up to him in training asking if it’s true what he did.
“He knows things get exaggerated. But he is the deadliest sniper in the British military.
“No one has come close. Most at his age and with his experience will have made somewhere between 20 and 30 kills. Since American Sniper came out he knew there was going to be attention. There’s lots of talk about his actions.”
American Sniper, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper, tells the story of Iraq War crackshot Kyle.
He died two years ago today after he and a friend were shot at a Texas rifle range by ex-US Marine Eddie Routh. His murder trial is next week.
And American Sniper — the movie based on his autobiography — this weekend became the biggest-grossing war film to date.
The Clint Eastwood hit has grossed £166million since its release in the US six weeks ago, overtaking Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan.
Pundits predict it will go on to rake in more than £250million. At a similar stage, last year’s Oscar-winning Best Picture 12 Years A Slave had taken just £16million.
American Sniper could be just as successful at this year’s Oscar ceremony later this month.
Lead Bradley Cooper is *nominated for Best Actor at the Hollywood event and the film is up for Best Picture.
Many of those flocking to the cinema are the 2.6 million proud veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.
But its gung-ho nature has led to some left-wingers saying it glorifies war.
That beats the 160 of American Sniper marksman Chris Kyle.
A source said of the unnamed marine: “He’s a legend. A unique breed.”
Kyle, whose exploits feature in Oscar-tipped film American Sniper, is heralded as the most lethal gunman in US history.
Most of the British corporal’s “kills” took place during one six-month Afghan tour.
The sniper once averaged a lethal strike every ten minutes.
At his most deadly he was said to have hit more than 90 fighters in a single Taliban stronghold in one day.
But sources close to the unnamed British marksman say his 173 count is “conservative” — and unconfirmed kills would take it higher still.
Royal Marine sniper who has 173 kills
Royal Marine sniper who has 173 kills
One said: “Only people inside the community know about his incredible contribution — but young recruits are in awe of him.
“He is one of a unique band of marksmen who have done extraordinary things.
“He’s not the sort of man to brag. He’s very professional and humble, but with a gun in his hands this bloke is deadlier than the plague. He’s a legend, a unique breed.”
The Sun knows the identity of the sniper, a married dad who grew up in the South of England, but is not revealing it for security reasons.
Those close to him say he is a supremely professional individual who never “dehumanised” targets.
The source said: “He will never talk about it unless he is challenged directly, then he is never boastful of what has happened — but he is not ashamed either.
“Every shot was judged and balanced, not indiscriminate. He always saw the men between the cross hairs as humans not as targets.
“He is not interested in scores or kill counts. He took no satisfaction in the job he had to do.
American Sniper
The Oscar-tipped film
“Like all snipers he had to be in a place where his concentration was absolute. Nothing mattered, not the cold, not the discomfort of the ground, just the job.
“Because he saw the enemy as humans he has not struggled *emotionally or psychologically with what has happened.
“He had a unique job at a unique time. He must be the most lethal sniper in the world.
“But that is not a title he would seek out or revel in.”
Most of the marine’s kills occurred during Operation Herrick V over the winter of 2006/7 when the Afghan war was in its infancy.
He was at that point serving with the elite Brigade Reconnaissance Force across Helmand.
The sniper was armed with an L115 A3 Alpha which fires a .338 calibre bullet with incredible accuracy over ranges exceeding a kilometre.
During Operation Herrick troops were working under rules of engagement that said they could strike any enemy target with lethal force.
The rules later changed so that soldiers could engage only if their life was in direct danger. The marine has served for more than a decade. A source said: “He has done over five tours from Northern Ireland to Afghanistan and Iraq. Not all have been as a sniper, but the key tour was across 2006 and 2007.
“The BRF troops would surge through designated areas hunting the Taliban up and down the *Helmand River.
“They would get into position before first light taking up concealed spots over whole urban sprawls full of Taliban.
“People who know the story say he would take out sentries in spider holes, stood up to their shoulders in pits dug in the ground.”
The sniper’s record is known to only a small circle of friends, *comrades and officers.
The source said: “Only some close friends and family know the true extent of his achievements.
“Most only know the myth, but word has spread about it. Recruits come up to him in training asking if it’s true what he did.
“He knows things get exaggerated. But he is the deadliest sniper in the British military.
“No one has come close. Most at his age and with his experience will have made somewhere between 20 and 30 kills. Since American Sniper came out he knew there was going to be attention. There’s lots of talk about his actions.”
American Sniper, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper, tells the story of Iraq War crackshot Kyle.
He died two years ago today after he and a friend were shot at a Texas rifle range by ex-US Marine Eddie Routh. His murder trial is next week.
And American Sniper — the movie based on his autobiography — this weekend became the biggest-grossing war film to date.
The Clint Eastwood hit has grossed £166million since its release in the US six weeks ago, overtaking Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan.
Pundits predict it will go on to rake in more than £250million. At a similar stage, last year’s Oscar-winning Best Picture 12 Years A Slave had taken just £16million.
American Sniper could be just as successful at this year’s Oscar ceremony later this month.
Lead Bradley Cooper is *nominated for Best Actor at the Hollywood event and the film is up for Best Picture.
Many of those flocking to the cinema are the 2.6 million proud veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.
But its gung-ho nature has led to some left-wingers saying it glorifies war.
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