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1. In reference (a), the Bureau outlined experiments in camouflage painting, and requested that a program be undertaken by Forces Afloat to verify the proposed measures. 2. Reports of observations of ships painted in accordance with reference (a) have been submitted by Type and Force Commanders in this Fleet. Despite some diversity of opinion, the general agreement of conclusions was noteworthy. 3. Enclosure (A) comprises a digest of the above reports. Based upon this summary, the following conclusions and recommendations are submitted: (a) For surface vessels operating in the Hawaiian Area, and other localities where clear weather and unlimited visibility usually obtain, optimum general camouflage will be afforded by painting each ship with a non-specular paint, somewhat lighter and bluer than Formula 5-D, entirely covering all horizontal and vertical surfaces, including the tops. The results thus realized include maximum camouflage against detection by aircraft, and by surface vessels at night with
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - artificial illumination, maximum deception to all observers as to target angle and identity, and a reasonable degree of camouflage against detection by surface vessels and periscope day and night. (b) The recommendations forwarded by reference (f) should be disregarded. Upon adoption of the effective camouflage measures outlined above, visibility of wood decks to aircraft observers may well become of critical importance. Although wetting down wood decks renders them difficult of detection, this expedient must be regarded as temporary. A suitable dark stain, as near in color to Formula 5-S as practicable, should be developed, and provided to each ship for application to wood decks when conditions so require. One or more ships should have test applications of deck coloring as soon as it becomes available. In this connection, Commander Aircraft, Battle Force reports that the present maroon stain in use on aircraft carrier flight decks is unsatisfactory, in that the color contrast between the deck and the planes parked thereon not only leads to detection of the ship, but permits observers to estimate the number of planes. Experiments are in progress to determine the value of blue-gray paint in this regard. (c) All topside canvas must be of low reflectance, and dark in color. The present chrome canvas is considered too light, and should be supplanted by a new, standard, dark-colored canvas. Stain should be provided for coloring present canvas until the new canvas is made available. (d) Submarines operating on the surface are subject to the same visual conditions as surface vessels. The present black paint is too dark. In view of the susceptibility of surfaced submarines to aircraft observation, a paint providing adequate concealment on the surface as well as submerged is required. Recent intelligence reports state that the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet insist that British submarines operating in that area be painted "Royal Blue" for optimum concealment from aircraft, and -2-
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - further, that adherence of blue paint is secured by using a dark gray undercoat. The development of a durable blue submarine paint should be vigorously pursued. (e) Aircraft observers have reported detection of surface vessels due to sighting light-colored upper surfaces of aircraft on deck. An experimental program is new in progress in this command to verify the value of non-specular patrol plane blue-gray lacquer, for the upper surfaces of all ship-borne aircraft, to obviate this difficulty. Reports to date indicate that this color will prove satisfactory. (f) Measures for deception as to the nature or number of vessels sighted, such as Measures 6, 7, and 8 of reference (b), and Experiment K of reference (a), possess inherent disadvantages which militate against their use. With regard to the possible application of these or similar measures in areas where hazy weather and poor visibility prevail, the value of such camouflage is in direct ratio to the degree of security accorded the fact of its existence. (g) False bow waves are not effective, and may lead to detoction of the vessel at night. Further development is not recommended. (h) With regard to wake, it must be accepted that vessels operating at sufficient speed to evade submarine attack produce wakes which may reveal the ships to aircraft observers day or night, regardless of the effectiveness of camouflage measures. (i) Reports indicate that white-uniformed personnel have not disclosed ships at night, and are undistinguishable as such beyond 3000 feet by day. Therefore, it appears that there exists no urgent necessity for uniforms off-white in color. Observations in this regard will be continued. 4. Orders will be issued to ships in this Fleet to cover by day all non-vertical reflecting surfaces, such as oblique windows in sky control stations, skylights, searchlights -3- |
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - not in use, and the like in an effort to eliminate detection by aircraft due to "sun-glint." 5. In accordance with the Bureau's desires as expressed in reference (a), the following experiments will be carried forward in this Fleet, and reports submitted in the premises as soon as practicable: (A) Apply Modified Measure 1, proposed in paragraph 4 above, to HELENA, now-concluding regular?overhaul in Mare Island Navy Yard, using Formula 5-S, reference (c). (B) Apply Modified Measure 1, as in (A) above; Modified Measure 2 using new colors, reference (c); Measure 12 reference (e); and "Sapphire Blue", reference (d); to four destroyers which normally operate in company. These measures will be applied to ships of Destroyer Squadron FIVE now under overhaul in Mare Island Navy Yard. (C) Investigations will be carried forward to determine the value of using canvas screens for concealment of peculiar identifying characteristics of some ships, and to confuse estimation of target angle. 6. Inasmuch as units of the Atlantic Fleet now operate in areas of poor visibility, it is suggested that investigation of camouflage measures suited to use in such localities bo pursued by the Commander-in-Chief, Atlantic Fleet in conjunction with the Bureau. 7. Upon the development of adequate camouflage measures of proven efficacy, applicable to various operating conditions, a policy should be adopted of prescribing camouflage measures to be applied to a vessel prior to its departure for a specified operating area.
H. E. KIMMEL
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SOURCE:
Via Dana Bell
National Archives & Records Administration, College Park
Transcribed by RESEARCHER @ LARGE. Formatting & Comments Copyright R@L.