An online database of camouflage used by
United State Naval Warships during WWII
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The
Development of Naval Camouflage 1914 - 1945 By
Alan Raven (Article reprinted courtesy of Plastic Ship Modeler Magazine issue #97/3) CAMOUFLAGE
OBSERVATIONS Notes
and suggestions made during the invasion of Green Island: "After
the formation of C.B. Detachment 1019 and its later conversion to supervision of
ship's camouflage, it has been my personal desire to see how effective and
suitable patterns and colors used were under actual operations, such as the
occupation and landing on Green Island. I was interested in all ships connected
with the operations but particularly in landing craft. The task force was made
up of LCI'S, LST's, LCT's, AM's, DM's, DD's, and APD's. Many types of camouflage
were represented and results were varied and interesting. Operations in areas
vary, so my observations were made with this in mind, and were confined to this
particular operation. Our
first encounter with Commanding Officers of the landing craft at Noumea found
them with a few exceptions receptive and interested in the camouflage of their
ships. They felt from experience that their most vulnerable time was while
beached or anchored in the vicinity of the beach. The
first ships were completed and sent back into action. Noumea was fast becoming
too distant for landing craft to make return trips, at least often enough to
maintain a camouflage measure. In the meantime Landing Craft Repair Units were
being constructed nearer the scenes of action and finally the camouflage
detachment was divided into three units and two were sent to Forward Area. This
was none to soon as a new antagonism had arisen amongst the officers of the
ships. As the camouflage they had received had long worn off, and not being able
to match the colors nor apply the patterns, they had painted their ships solid
greens (formula 759). I feel that it is very important for the camouflage units
to keep pace with movements of the repair units where ships are based for
periods of greater lengths of time. This will increase the function of the unit
from supervisory capacity, in relation to original pattern and paint formulas,
to camouflage maintenance. I am certain that camouflage is playing an important
part in the protection of the ships and that the majority of the Commanding
Officers will agree. 1.
PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF GREEN ISLAND: Green
Island is a small atoll north west of Bougainville and a strategic spot for
operations against enemy bases. It is approximately 500 miles north of the
Landing Craft Repair Unit based at Tulagi, bringing up the point that it now
necessitates a 1000 mile round trip for landing craft to combat areas. Nissen or
Green Island is very nearly round, a rim of land surrounding a lagoon that is
deep and navigable. The two narrow channels could be dredged to accommodate
nearly all types of ships. Except for two plantations, the Island is completely
covered with heavy jungle growth. It is rank, thick and overhangs the water's
edge in many places as much as twenty feet. This type of shoreline offers
excellent camouflage for landing craft. LCI's and smaller craft could make their
way into the growth and take advantage of the natural concealment. The
Japanese took full advantage of this cover in hiding their landing barges and
machine gun emplacements. In an attack by the gun-boat 70, the barges were so
well hidden that the native guide, brought on board ship for the purpose of
pointing out their positions, was believed to be in error. At a distance of 40
yards they were absolutely indistinguishable from the surrounding foliage. After
opening fire on their positions, and being fired upon in return, there was
little doubt as to their presence. The
color of the foliage was surprisingly high in key, a brilliance that would have
been unbelievable except for the very same observations made on first arrival in
the Solomons group. The colors, at a distance, resolved themselves into two
distinct hues of green, a light olive color at the crown of the growth where the
light had direct action, and a darker green at the base where the light
penetrated very little and everything was in shade. On closer inspection, the
jungle is a riot of colors, many hues of greens and browns, plus the more
brilliant colors of flowers and tropical plant life. 2.
TYPES OF SHIP CAMOUFLAGE REPRESENTED: Four
types of ship camouflage were represented. The LCI's, LST's, and LCT's all were
painted green, the patterns and hues varied. First the all- over dark green,
formula 759, which surprised all by being very effective. Second, a lime colored
background with dark green stripes representing branches, appeared as expected,
much too light and consequently much more of a target than the other three. This
camouflage measure was effected in the United States. Third, an all-over
concealment pattern of two shades of green and a dull black. This blended very
well with the background while close in shore, but when the ship was several
hundred yards off shore the black appeared darker than the darkest tone in the
jungle background. Fourth, an all-over concealment pattern of two shades of
green, a light olive green and a dark green. This blended well, both while close
to shore and from a distance. The
two color pattern was an experiment of Unit "B". It rose from two
sources: 1. From early experiments with the three colors in Noumea, noting the
difficulties to distinguish between the two dark shades as they seemingly
blended together giving the entire job an appearance of two shades. 2. From the
result of two operational problems: (1) Critical shortage of paint, (2) Time
factor involved. Tremendous rush was encountered in the preparation of a large
number of ships for this operation. Ships could be painted faster and in this
unit's opinion the result was as good as, or better than the three color
measure. NOTE:
I wish to call the attention of Headquarters and "A" units the
suggestion for the two colors for landing craft and invite their comments on
this experiment. The number 1 paint formula developed by Headquarters Unit is
deemed excellent and no further experiment could improve it. We have found
though, that due to paint shortages we have to vary this slightly. But it is our
guide and we try our best to approximate the color. 3.
CAMOUFLAGE OF LANDING CRAFT WHILE AT SEA: There
has been considerable discussion among the camouflage units and landing craft
personnel whether the green patterns make them more or less conspicuous at sea.
I had an excellent chance for observation of this while in convoy. The advance
echelon that I was attached to was made up of two LCI gun-boats and three mine
sweepers. The LCI 70 was a two shade green pattern and the LCI 67 was a single
dark green color. The three mine sweepers were painted a solid color of
ocean-gray. The four ships were viewed at a distance of usually 400 to 800
yards. In the mornings and evenings no difference in color could be noted. When
up-sun, regardless of color, the ship became a dark silhouette, down-sun the
difference in color was easily discernable; but I do not believe that one was
more prominent than the other. On the starboard horizon a convoy of LST's could
be seen and the color at that distance could not be made out. NOTE:
In these particular operations in regard to LST's they could have been painted
nearly any color as each ship carried at cable's length a barrage balloon. Even
when hull-down below the horizon level, presence of the convoy was apparent.
Camouflage at sea for protection was subordinated to the protection offered by
the balloons. It is not my purpose to argue the effectiveness of this measure,
although the morning at the rendezvous of the convoy the balloons caused the Jap
dive bombers considerable trouble. The Japs were unable to make the desired run |