Smoke screens were DD and CA actions.
Section XIII. Smoke Screens in Battle
12174. Smoke screens are of two general types--those laid by surface vessels, usually destroyers or cruisers, and those laid by aircraft. The choice of the type to be employed depends upon the availability of surface vessels or aircraft capable of making smoke, and the suitability and limitations of each type of smoke screen. Atmospheric conditions affect the efficiency of both types.
12175. Smoke screens laid by surface vessels have the following advantages:
Smoking can be continued for an indefinite time, much longer than is possible with aircraft.
Vessels requiring smoke for their own protection can begin smoking when necessary without the delay sometimes resulting due to communications or lack of perfect coordination with smoke-laying planes.
12176. Smoke screens laid by surface vessels have the following disadvantages:
The laying of a smoke screen by surface vessels takes a longer time than aircraft require.
Due to the vulnerability of light vessels, they cannot lay smoke screens close to the enemy.
Vessels laying a smoke screen are not always protected by their smoke screen and hence surface craft cannot always be counted upon to lay a smoke screen when within effective range of the enemy.
12177. Smoke screens laid by aircraft have the following advantages:
Aircraft smoke screens are laid in less time than that required by surface vessels.
Aircraft, due to their high speed and small target size have a greater chance of successfully completing smoke-laying operations.
Aircraft smoke screens can usually be laid much closer to enemy vessels than can smoke screens laid by surface vessels.
12178. Smoke screens laid by aircraft have the following disadvantages:
Since the amount of fuel in a plane is limited, aircraft will not be available immediately to lay smoke when required unless a flight of smoke-laying planes is maintained in the air. They cannot be maintained available indefinitely without reliefs.
Since the amount of chemical carried by each smoke-laying plane is limited by considerations of weight, aircraft cannot lay smoke indefinitely.
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12179. The advantages of smoke screens laid by aircraft make them particularly valuable for tactical use wherever smoke screens are advantageous or practicable. During an engagement, the officer in tactical command, if practicable, has some smoke-laying planes available in the air, so that they may place an effective screen in any desired position on short notice.
12180. The use of smoke screens in conjunction with surface craft operations requires coordination of the highest degree and rapid and sure communications.
12181. Some of the possible uses of smoke screens in battle are enumerated below:
To aid the battle line.
By protecting it while passing through unfavorable gun ranges.
By concealing it during a reversal of course.
By interposing between our battle line and the enemy when it is practicable to use indirect fire.
To conceal or protect light surface craft when making a torpedo attack, particularly an unsupported attack.
To screen torpedo planes when launching their torpedoes.
To isolate a portion of the enemy, a detached wing for example.
To cover the movements of a force in breaking off an engagement to cover its retirement after an attack or its withdrawal from action.
To assist any surface craft when attacked by enemy surface or aircraft.
12182. The accurate placing of a smoke screen with reference to enemy vessels free to maneuver is a matter of extreme difficulty. If the wind is strong, accurate estimate of the wind is essential if the screen is to be placed accurately. If the screen is laid more than 10 or 15 minutes in advance of the time when the maximum use will be made of it, unexpected maneuvers by the enemy may cause the screen to become ineffective or only partially effective.
12183. The grave danger of smoke laid for a given purpose drifting down on parts of our own force or remaining in an area which parts of our force may subsequently desire to enter renders it imperative that smoke screens be used and laid with sound judgment.
12184. In a major engagement the orders to use smoke are normally given only by the officer in tactical command. These orders may be contained in the battle plan placed in effect or they may be specifically given by signal. When the use of smoke is prescribed or permitted in the battle plan, the commander of the group which is to lay smoke uses his initiative as to when to lay the smoke, being guided by the general plan of battle, the specific purpose of the smoke screen and the necessity of avoiding interference with our own groups.
12185. A smoke screen to cover our battle line or to interpose between our own and the enemy's battle line or a portion of it may be ordered by the commander of the battle line, provided it promotes the success of the battle plan and does not interfere with other groups in carrying out their assigned tasks in the battle plan.
12186. Smoke as cover for attacking destroyers under some circumstances and for torpedo planes is of great value, provided there is no danger of interference with the gunfire of our battle line or with other groups in carrying out their task.
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