Zhang Taofang

Zhang Taofang (, 29 April 1931 - 29 October 2007) was a Chinese sniper. He is credited with killing or wounding 214 in 32 days during the Korean War.

Korean War Zhang deployed to Triangle Hill with the 8th company, 214th Regiment, 24th Corps on 11 January 1953; he had been part of the army for less than two years. He was armed with an old Mosin–Nagant M44 without a PU scope.

18 days later Zhang spotted a target. He immediately aimed, fired, and missed 12 times, and was nearly killed by counter-fire. Based on that experience, Zhang refined his aiming technique with the iron sight, and the next time he fired, he hit the target. On February 15, he hit 7 targets with 9 rounds, a ratio surpassing many experienced snipers. Zhang died on 29 October 2007.

Popular culture The 2022 film Sniper is a fictionalized account of the experiences of Zhang Taofang during the Korean War. It was funded by the China Film Administration.

Awards