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CONTENTS
THE POLICY OF THE FLEET AT NIGHT
430. Night action between heavy ships, for which
a high degree of training is essential, must be regarded as a definite
part of our policy.
431. If the enemy had not been brought
to action or has not been defeated by nightfall, the Admiral will decide
whether to seek a night action with capital shps or to rely on the light
forces to maintain touch and attack during the night, in order to assist
in bringing the enemy to action at daylight.
432. In any class of ship engaging
an enemy at night, it is essential to develop the maximum volume of
gun and torpedo fire before the enemy can do so, and all other considerations
are of secondary importance. It must be remembered that the result of
a night action may depend on the first minute or so and that, if the
most effective action is not taken immediately, it is unlikely that
there will be time ro recover. It must never be assumed that a ship
with the advantage of light conditions, etc., has not been seen by an
enemy sighted in a less favourable position. All enemy units should
be engaged at once, except in the case of destroyers trying to slip
through a screen to attack the enemy battlefleet, when their object
at the moment will be to evade the screen.
FACTORS ESSENTIAL TO NIGHT FIGHTING
433. The following factors are vital to success:-
(a)
Good look-outs. These can only be efficient if well placed and drilled.
(b) Alert gun, torpedo-tube and searchlight crews. This will
only be achieved if the armament is exercised frequently in following
the director or changing "look-out bearings."
(c) Prompt use of the helm and recognition signals. Correct
knowledge of all methods of recognition and identification and the
proper occasions when these should be employed, is essential.
ACTION ON SIGHTING A STRANGE VESSEL AT NIGHT
434. When a strange vessel is sighted at night all ships should
act as follows:-
(a)
Train guns and searchlights on the vessel sighted, and bring the whole
armament to the "Ready."
(b) Make an "Alarm" report (see Fleet Signal Book,
Sections 8 and 9).
(c) If intending to attack or evasion is impracticable:-
(i)
If in doubt as to the enemy character of the stranger, make the
challenge when (a) is completed.
(ii) If or when the enemy character of the stranger is clear,
open fire with guns or torpedoes. In capital ships, if the strange
vessels are definitely identified as destroyers or M.T.B.;s and
they are in a position to attack, they should be assumed to be enemy
and fire should be opened simultaneously with making the challenge.
(d) If concealment is desired
and evasion is practicable:-
(i)
Turn away, switching off shaded stern lights.
(ii) Fire torpedoes if the stranger is known to be hostile.
(c) Disposition and movements of the battlefleet during the
night.
(d) Morning rendezvous for detached units.
MANOEUVRING THE BATTLEFLEET AND SCREENS
AT NIGHT
435. Night cruising order and night screens. The considerations
affecting night cruising dispositions and night screens are contained
in Section II (see Clauses 108 to 121); an example of a night cruising
disposition is shown in Diagram II on page 126.
436. Methods of altering course at night.
An alteration of course of the whole fleet can be ordered by the Admiral
in one of the following ways, according to the situation at the moment.
It is assumed that the capital ships will be single line ahead, with
gaps of about two miles between each division or squadron:-
(a)
The battlefleet alters course and the night screen is ordered to
preserve relative bearings. This is used to change the line of
advance of the fleet when no enemy action is expected. The alteration
may be made without signal in accordance with the previous orders
or may be altered by W/T; ships of the battlefleet will alter course
in succession.
(b) The battlefleet alters course and the night screen is
ordered to preserve compass bearings. This is used when evading
an enemy force reported at a distance. In this case, the divisions
of the battlefleet alter course leading ships together, remainder
in succession, in order that the ships may be unhampered in opening
fire or taking avoiding action should an attack develop. The alteration
will normally be ordered by W/T.
(c) The battlefleet alters course; the night screen continues
its original course. This is used when it is desired to "slip
the screen," in order to evade and mislead the enemy. The battlefleet
may be ordered to alter course in succession. The signal ordering
the alteration should give the necessary warning to the screen of
the Admiral's intentions.
437. During attacks, Divisional Commanders
will manoeuver the divisions of the battlefleet as necessary, inside
the screen. Alterations of course should be ordered by the method least
likely to disclose the presence of the battlefleet, unless rapidity
is essential. Course may be alteredand movements of the battlefleet
during the night:-
(a)
By leading the column clear with or without signal.
(b) By turning the ships in column together by W/T.
(c) By turning ships in column together by means of the Fixed
Light Manoeuvring Signal (see Signal Manual, Chapter XIII).
438. (Blank)
439. (Blank)
EVASION AND MANOEUVRE
440. When a warning og the approach of enemy destroyers is received,
the Divisional Commander nearest the enemy should decide whether to
evade the attack by an alteration of course or to stand on and repel
the attack by gunfire. He should be guided by the Admiral's night policy
signal or act in accordance with any special instructions issued by
the Admiral. Evasion is the best policy, provided sufficient warning
of the approach of enemy destroyer is received. Eveasion does not mean
that fire is to be withheld. All enemy units sighted should be engaged
with every gun that will bear, and opportunities for firing torpedoes
seized.
441. When no warning is received,
a torpedo attack will normally be frustrated if capital ships turn stern
on to the enemy, using full rudder, at the samt time developing the
maximum fire from all main and secondary armament guns that will bear.
If, when the turn is completed, searchlights are switched off and firing
stopped, the attackers will usually lose sight of the battlefleet, and
the attack will fail. The judicious use of smoke may assist the evasion.
Note:- The instructions given above for countering
destroyer attacks are equally applicable in the cvase of attacks by
M.T.B.'s.
RECOGNITION BETWEEN THE BATTLEFLEET AND
ITS SCREEN
442. When a screened battlefleet is attacked by enemy destroyers
at night, a danger will always exist of friend being mistaken for foe.
Fighting lights or V/F lights should be switched on by screening vessels
in a confused action, or if the battlefleet opens fire on a friendly
ship ; otherwise it is better that no lights are shown. The instructions
in the Recognition Manual (S.O. 02220) should be used as a general guide.
443. (Blank)
444. (Blank)
445.
If an encounter between capital ships takes place, success will depend
upon rapid and intensive offensive action. While the element of chance
in a night encounter must always remain, superior night training will
probably decide the issue in the first few minutes.
446. Large alterations of course between
sighting the enemy and firing the first salvo tend to confuse the control
and delay opening fire ; they should therefore be avoided if possible.
Even if all guns cannot fire, a well laid salvo from the forward guns
would probably be more effective than a salvo fired from all guns in
the middle of a large turn. Large turns may, however, he sometimes unavoidable
to clear the field of fire for other ships and for other reasons.
447. As the effect of torpedo fire cannot
be as immediate as that of gunfire, gunfire requirements should usually
have priority when full offensive action is intended. Action taken to
avoid enemy torpedoes must depend on the results of gunfire and the
conduct of the enemy. It is desirable to turn away before the enemy's
torpedoes arrive, but it is more important to ensure the disablement
or destruction of the immediate opponent ; his gunfire is a certain
and immediate danger, his torpedo fire a potential one.
448. From the nature of night encounters,
divisions and ships will usually come into action in succession. A night
encounter is thus likely to develop into a series of decisive actions
between single ships, and any systematic form of concentration will
be impracticable. Under these conditions, the initiative displayed by
Captains, together with individual ship efficiency, will decide the
issue. The first consideration of every ship must be to get into action
; this may often involved breaking away from single line and forming
on a line of bearing which will enable fire to be opened. No Captain
can do wrong if he engages one of the opposing ships effectively.
449. (Blank)
450. (Blank)
451. The following general rules govern
the use of searchlights and starshell ; detailed instructions are given
in the Firing Manual (C.B. 3026):-
(a)
The use of searchlights in an action between heavy ships is dangerous
and should be reduced to a minimum.
(b) Searchlights should not be switched on unless trained on
the enemy. If a searchlight loses the target, it becomes a danger
to the ship using it and must be switched off at once.
(c) The principal purposes for which searchlights may be required
are-
(i) To illuminate the target
before the first starshell takes effect and if starshell becomes
ineffective.
(ii) To neutralise the effect of an enemy starshell.
(iii) Against enemy destroyers at short ranges.
(iv) By screening forces. (See (f) below.)
(d) Cruisers encountering enemy
destroyers and attempting to ram may switch on searchlights ahead
for this purpose.
(e) Destroyers attacking heavy ships may use searchlight if
they are themselves illuminated by this method ; the beam should be
directed, if possible, on the enemy's bridge. Destroyers which have
been detected or have completed their attacks may be able to assist
other attacking destroyers, by illuminating the enemy with searchlights
in order to distract his attention and expose his movements.
(f) The area illuminated by searchlights is limited compared
to that illuminated by starshell. Screening forces should therefore
use searchlights in preference to starshell for illumination. Searchlights
are more effective for showing up the enemy to friendly forces, and
are less likely to show up other vessels on the screen, or the battlefleet.
Discretion is necessary in the use of both searchlights and starshell
to avoid the possibility of the main force being illuminated, or silhouetted
to the enemy.
(g) Starshell should be used in preference to searchlights
by heavy ships, or cruisers not forming part of a screen:-
(i) When a good point of aim in
not available.
(ii) To assist in spotting.
(iii) To search a suspected area.
452. (Blank)
453-450. (Blank)
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