A TRICK TO FOOL ENEMY SNIPERS

PAPIER-MÂCHÉ SOLDIERS: A TRICK TO FOOL ENEMY SNIPERS

Imagine yourself in a trench during World War I. Every time a soldier raises his head, he risks being shot by a hidden enemy sniper. But how can you spot these sharpshooters without putting your life on the line? The soldiers came up with a solution that was both simple and brilliant: using papier-mâché soldiers to draw enemy fire!

These dummy figures were placed above the trench parapets to create the illusion of a soldier scanning the battlefield. The goal? To provoke a shot and reveal the sniper’s position. Once the enemy fired, the soldiers could return fire or adjust their strategy to avoid being hit.

Made right on the front lines, these fake soldiers were crafted from recycled paper and homemade glue—often a mix of flour and water. Some even had a wire frame for extra durability. Soldiers carefully painted them to look realistic, adding helmets, uniforms, and even facial features with shading for extra effect.