"SHOOT- to- Live" The WW2 Canadian Musketry Method of Coaching

Sly Old Fox

Sly Old Fox

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I first came upon this book in 1947 when I joined the Essex Scottish Regiment in Windsor. Somewhere, I picked up a used copy for $2 in a used book store. I thought that I had lost it, however when visiting my son's for dinner this past week, I find that he had it. So, I liberated it! :dancingbanana:

Just how common is this 240 page soft cover book, full of photographs and diagrams of how to expertly handle the L-E, using the method of Lt. Col. Stephen Johnson developed over a period of 20 years when he had been five times a member of Canada's Bisley team?

I know of no other publication that has the depth and detail of the proper prone use of a rifle and much more.

When I was competing the few years in the quarterly Milsurp shoots sponsored by the EOSC, it was well after my copy had "disappeared" or I might have acquitted myself better even with the SKS, not just the L-E. It reminds me of the old saying "too soon old, too late smart" as I've recognized my physical limitations. :(
 
When we were re-establishing the PPCLI basic training depot in the mid-70s we had a bunch of copies reprinted for instructional use. There wasn't /isn't a better basic marksmanship manual available.
 
SHOOT to Live is a classic IMO and others!

Thanks, guys, you have more than verified my thoughts of the value of the information contained in this book!

If there was a subtitle to the book, it would be SHOOT to Kill the enemy.

I shall keep my book and pass it on to a friend (a CGNer of course) who will take care of it but use it himself and those who he has brought and will bring to the sport of shooting. :d

As well, I will send my son the URL for downloading the book because he is not getting the book back!

While scanning through the book this afternoon, I was looking for something I thought was in the book, but I could not find it. It could have been in an old American Rifleman. It was the thought that aiming at an enemy who only had his head showing, should be below is face/chin, so that the bullet would hit the dirt, ricochet tipping end over end into his face. The gent who posted above of training PPCLI from this book, could perhaps shed light on this. If I remember correctly, the drawn image of the enemy represented an Asiatic.
 
I have a copy of this book. Been a long time since I read it. The illustrations are very well done.

I had the pleasure of meeting Steve Johnson a number of times. I think he lived in Calgary. he used to send us a calender each year. I recall his logo was a 50 cal round.
 
Hey sorry forgot to mention it is broke up into multiple downloads, but I believe they are all listed on that page as you scroll down I now that it is 8 downloads. I see also that Ian Robertson should get credit for scaning and uploading this. I believe he is a member here. So, thank you Ian
 
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Just by coincidence I found a copy of this a couple weeks ago. Going through some boxes of "stuff" that my son left here when he joined the military a few years ago. Lots of CD's that I certainly wouldn't listen to, letters from old girl friends that I certainly didn't read. etc, etc.

Also all 240 pages of 'Shoot to Live" photo copied years ago when he was an Army Cadet on a Marksmanship Leader Course at CFB Borden. CD's are going to Value Village, Letters went on the brush burn pile at local waste disposal site and " Shoot to Live" filed away in a binder for the old man to read.
 
You are right. It teaches the basics of marksmanship not only for the L-E but any rifle. I have a copy, don't know where I got it though. Good job at getting it back.
 
Thanks, this looks great!
I am currently reading "a rifleman went to war" by McBride. Fascinating look at WW1
I will definitely download this for reference.
 
my copy seems engineered for the C1A1, but I did see a copy intended for use with the L-E.

very excellent document to use in firming up proper technique in three position, oh yeah
 
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