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COMSOPAC FILE S19-7 Serial  01648 C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L SOUTH PACIFIC FORCE OF THE UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET HEADQUARTERS OF THE COMMANDER From: The Commander South Pacific. To  : The Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.   SUBJECT: Ships - Camouflage of.   References:    (a)  BUSHIPS Conf. ltr. C-Al0/S19-4(340-348), EN28/A2-11 dated May 14, 1943. (b) COMSOPAC Conf. ltr. S19/(05), Serial 01197, dated July 25, 1943. SUBJECT: Ships - Camouflage of.   (A) Camouflage Measures requested for ships of the South Pacific Force.          1.    In connection with proposals for improvements in ship camouflage, Task Force Commanders of the South Pacific Fleet have, in general, expressed the desire to accomplish the following objectives in the priority indicated: (a)  Course deception. (b) Type deception. (c) Concealment. In a few cases, depending upon probable assignments, Task Force Commanders have indicated a preference for concealment as first priority.          2.    Specifically, Commander Amphibious Force has requested the special concealment patterns, prepared for landing craft by the Bureau of Ships representative. These designs come under the classification of measure #31 of Ships-2 supplement, dated May 14, 1943, reference (a). The Commander Amphibious Force also requested the low visibility light pattern, measure #33 for APA's and AKA's.          3.    The Commander Task Force THIRTY-EIGHT requests the low visibility, light pattern measure #33 for all ships in Task Force THIRTY-EIGHT. The Commander Task Force THIRTY-NINE requested that all ships in Task Force THIRTY-KINE also receive the low visibility, light pattern measure #33.          4.    The Commander Task Force THIRTY-SEVEN requested the dark pattern measure #31 for the battleships in that force. - 1 -

COMSOPAC FILE S19-7 Serial  01648 C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L SOUTH PACIFIC FORCE OF THE UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET HEADQUARTERS OF THE COMMANDER ski SUBJECT: Ships - Camouflage of. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -          5.    With the exceptions as above noted, the course and type deception pattern measure #32 was requested for half of the destroyers, half of the cruisers, all of the transports and carriers and some others types of vessels. Dark patterns in measure #31; being selected for the other half of the destroyers; light patterns in measure #33 being selected for the other half of the cruisers.          6.    Enclosure (A) lists the measures selected for each type of ship and vessel in the South Pacific Force. This program will provide different designs for different Task Forces and for ships within the same, which is considered advantageous and was advocated by Rear Admiral W.A. Lee, Jr.          7.    It is requested that enclosure (A) be approved for all ships in the South Pacific Force and that steps be taken as soon as possible to provide the necessary materials, equipment, working drawings and supervisory personnel to carry out painting the ships in accordance therewith.   Copy to: (Complete)      COMINCH      COMSERFORPAC      ALL TASK FORCE COMMANDERS SOPACFOR      COMMTBRONSSOPAC      COMLANDCRAFTFLOTSOPAC      BUSHIPS.

SCHEDULE "Y" "Ships-2" Camouflage Measure #14.        This measure calls for Ocean Gray sides and Deck Blue decks. White should be applied to the undersides of all overhanging structures as illustrated on page seven of the March, 1943, Ship Camouflage Instructions Supplement.        In order to facilitate painting at advanced yards and bases, ocean green or #18 neutral gray may be substituted for ocean gray. Deck green or deck black may be substituted for deck blue.        It is recommended that:             Measure 14 be applied to the following vessels operating with or assigned to the Pacific fleet. All District Craft excepting:         YO          YDG         YFD   All:   AM AMb  AMC         AGL         AL AN ASR ATR AVC CM CMC DM DMS PE AT        "Ships-2" Camouflage Measure #31 (Dark Pattern System).        It is recommended that measure #31 be applied to vessels operating with or assigned to the Pacific Fleet with the exception of vessels In Task Force THIRTT-EIGHT and Task Force THIRTY-NINE as follows:        BB Of MARYLABD Class.        DE, DD, DL with even serial numbers.        All Landing Craft and:       AB        ABD        ABSD       AC        AFD       AGP        AGS        APc       APD        AR       ARb        ARB        ARC       ARD        ARG       ARH        ARL        ARM       ARS        AVR       PF        PG        PR       PT        PY       PYC        SS        SM       YFD        APS ENCLOSURE (A).

SCHEDULE "Y" "Ships-2", Camouflage Measure #32, (Medium pattern system).        It is recommended that Measure #32 be applied to BB's North Carolina class and later, and all vessels of the following types with odd serial numbers.       AK        AP        CA       CB        CC CF CL CV DD DE DL excepting ships assigned to Task Force THIRTY-EIGHT and ships assigned to Task Force THIRTY-NINE.        All of the following: ACV AD AE AF AG AGC AGD AH AO AOG APB APC APF APG AS AV AVD AVP YDG YO CVS AVR AKF PCS IX as directed "Ships-2", Camouflage Measure #33, (light pattern system).        It is recommended that Measure #33 be applied to all vessels of the following types with even serial numbers: AK AP CA CB CC CL CF CV   ALL: AKD AKN AKS AKV APH APL APM APN APP APT APR APV PC PTC AKA APA SC PCE AGS                                         All Ships assigned to Takk Force THIRTY-EIGHT.        All Ships assigned to Task Force THIRTY-NINE. -2- ENCLOSURE (A).

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