Zhang Taofang
Zhang Taofang, (Chinese: 張桃芳; Wade–Giles: Zhang Tao-fang; 1931 – April 29, 2007) was a Chinese sniper during the Korean War. He is said to have 214 confirmed kills with 442 shots in 32 days with rifle without scope.[1][2]
Zhang Taofang 張桃芳 | |
|---|---|
 Zhang Taofang in Sniper Ridge, 1953. Chinese below translated as "Well-known cold shooter Zhang Taofang, he scored 214 kills with 442 shots within 33 days." (Note: in Chinese language, the word "cold" in "cold shooter" doesn't have the same meaning as in English. Cold shots means hiden and unexpected shots in Chinese.) | |
| Nickname(s) | "The coldest shot" (最冷的槍) |
| Born | 1931 Xinghua, Jiangsu Province, China |
| Died | (aged 76) Weifang, Shandong Province, China |
| Allegiance |  China |
| Service/ | People's Volunteer Army People's Liberation Army |
| Years of service | January 11, 1953 – June 1985 |
| Rank | None |
| Unit | 8th company, 214th Regiment, 24th Corps |
| Commands held | 9th SAM Missile Regiment, PLAAF |
| Battles/wars | Korean War |
| Awards | Combat Hero (2nd Class) Order of the National Flag (1st Class, by North Korea) Sniper Hero (2nd Class, by PVA HQ) |
Korean War
On January 11, 1953, Zhang, who had been enrolled in the army for no more than two years and together with soldiers of 8th company, 214th Regiment, 24th Corps, he was assigned to Triangle Hill, equipped with an old Mosin–Nagant without a PU scope.[3]
After waiting 18 days at his position, Zhang spotted an enemy and immediately aimed and fired 12 shots, only to miss them all. This eager action attracted enemy fire, which almost killed him. After this, he carefully analyzed why he failed and figured out a technique using the iron sight to improve his shooting ability. He shot down one enemy the next day.[3]
On February 15, he hit 7 enemies with 9 rounds, which surpassed the ratio of many experienced snipers. He achieved a total of 214 confirmed kills in 32 days.[3]
According to the eighth issue of the People’s Liberation Army Pictorial in 2002: “Zhang Taofang started as a sniper from January 29, 1953 to May 25, lasting 3 months and 26 days. Except for training, participation in activities, and other activities, he had actually been shooting for 32 days, 442 rounds of ammunition were shot and 214 enemies were killed. In the same year, the PVA HQ awarded him the honorary title of "Second Class Sniper Hero" and he was later awarded the “First Class National Flag Medal” by the Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of North Korea.
Later life
Although Zhang has proven to be a successful infantryman, he was assigned to the pilot training program after Korean War.
After the Korean War in 1954, Zhang entered the Xuzhou 5th Aviation Preparatory School and the 1st Regiment of the Jinan Air Force 5th Aviation School, and became a PLA Air Force pilot. He joined the Communist Party of China in 1956. Served as a fighter pilot at the Air Force’s Gaomi No. 1 Training Base, flying MiG-15 and MiG-15 bison fighters. His body was then not adapted to high-altitude hypoxia due to the change of fighter models.
After being instructed by the PLAAF Commander Liu Yalou, Zhang Taofang became a member of the air defense force and served as the battalion commander of a certain unit of the air defense force. Later, he served as deputy instructor of Weifang Air Base Security Company, student of Shanghai Air Force Political School, instructor of Shandong Wei County Base Security Company, deputy chief of staff of the 9th Regiment of SHORAD Missile Regiment and deputy commander of the 9th Ground-to-Air Missile Regiment. In June 1985, he retired from military service.
On October 29, 2007, he passed away in Weifang, Shandong Province.
Media
In 2003, Zhang was the topic of a China Central Television documentary.
Books
References
- The Sniper Log Book—World War II
- 毙伤敌214 我第一位“狙击王”张桃芳
- Stronge, Charles (25 January 2011). Kill Shot: The 15 Deadliest Snipers of All Time. Ulysses Press. p. 91. ISBN 978-1-56975-862-5.