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HEADQUARTERS OF THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF
UNITED STATES FLEET
MOTOR
TORPEDO
BOATS
TACTICAL ORDERS AND
DOCTRINE
JULY 1942
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON: 1942
CONFIDENTIAL
JULY 1, 1942.
Current Tactical Orders and Doctrine, Motor Torpedo Boats (Short title-Motorprons One) is issued herewith for information and guidance.
This is a confidential nonregistered publication and shall be handled, transported and safeguarded in accordance with the provisions of U. S. Navy Regulations, Art. 76. It shall not be carried in aircraft for use therein.
When no longer required or when its destruction is ordered it shall be destroyed by burning. No report of destruction is required.
RUSSELL WILLSON,
Chief of Staff .
(II)
CONTENTS
Page
PART 1-GENERAL DOCTRINE
1
Chapter 1. General and military characteristics
1
Chapter 2. Employment
8
Chapter 3. Attack doctrine-Daylight torpedo attacks
10
Chapter 4. Attack doctrine-Night and low visibility attacks
11
Chapter 5. Attack doctrine-Depth charge attacks and antisubmarine operations
13
PART 2-TACTICAL FORMATIONS AND ORDERS
17
Chapter 1. General
17
Chapter 2. The division
19
Chapter 3. Division formations
20
Chapter 4. The squadron and squadron formations
31
Chapter 5. Tactical, arm, flag, and light signals
33
PART 3-ATTACK PLANS
37
Chapter 1. General
37
Chapter 2. Attacks on enemy merchantmen or auxiliaries
38
Chapter 3. Attacks on enemy convoys
38
Chapter 4. Attacks on enemy task forces
44
Chapter 5. Submarine attack plan
45
Chapter 6. Defense and escape tactics-Smoke screens
45
PART 4-ARMAMENT DOCTRINE AND STANDARD PROCEDURES
55
Chapter 1. Torpedo control and standard procedures
55
Chapter 2. Gunnery control and standard procedures
69
Chapter 3. Depth charge control and standard procedures
74
Chapter 4. Smoke screen generators and smoke procedures
81
PART 5- ENGINEERING AND COMMUNICATION DOCTRINES
83
Chapter 1. Engineering practices
83
Chapter 2. Communication practices
85
PART 6- USEFUL INFORMATION AND DATA
89
Chapter 1. (A) Conditions of readiness of armament
89
(B) .20-mm. and .50-caliber gun data
92
(III)
Page
PART 6-USEFUL INFORMATION AND DATA-Continued.
Chapter 2. Fuel consumption and cruising radius tables
95
Submarine data tables
99
Tables of radius of visibility of M. T. B.
99
INDEX FOR M. T. B. DOCTRINES AND STANDARD
PROCEDURES
A
SUBJECT
Article No.
Acknowledgment, request
5208
Air bubbles, ascent of
1506
Aircraft, defense against
3903, 3904, 4206, 4209, 4210, 4211, 4212
Aircraft, coordination with
4314, 3403, 3404
Ammunition, type and amount:
PT 20 type
1107-1 (b )
PT 71 type
1107-2 (b )
PT 95 type
1107-3 (b )
PT 103 type
1107-4 (b )
Angle on the bow
4102
Angle solver
4109
Antisubmarine action
1502, 1503, 3501, 3502, 3503, 4307-4314
Arm signals
2701 (a )
Armament description
1107
Armament-condition of readiness:
In general
6101
Battle stations
6102
Torpedoes-Ready condition
6103
Full ready condition
6104
20-mm. gun-Ready condition
6105
Full ready condition
6106
Data
6115
.50-caliber gun-Ready condition
6107
Full ready condition
6108
B. A. gun data (air-cooled)
6116
.45-caliber submachine gun-Ready condition
6109
Full ready condition
6110
Depth charges-Ready condition
6111
Full ready condition
6112
F.S. generator-Ready condition
6113
Full ready condition
6114
IV
SUBJECT
Article No.
Attack doctrine:
Daylight torpedo attacks
1301-1308
Night and low visibility torpedo attacks
1401-1412
Submarine destruction by depth charges
1502-1513
Surface ship destruction by depth charges
1501
Attack plans, general
3101, 3102, 3103
Attack on auxiliaries
3201, 3202
Attack on convoys-daylight
3301
Attack on convoys-night
3302
Attack on merchantmen
3301, 3302
Attack on submarines
3501, 3502
Attack on task forces
3401, 3402, 3403, 3404
Authenticators
5206
Auxiliary generators, care of
5103
B
Base torpedo course
4102, 4109
Batteries, care of
5103
Blinker tube
5202, 5204
Browning automatic machine guns, specifications
1207
C
Call signs
5208
Care and upkeep of weapons
4202
Camouflage and disguise
1401, 1403, 1405, 1508
Characteristics of boats, general and military
1101, 1102, 1103, 1104, 1105, 1106, 1107
Code and cipher publications
5202, 5203
Colt pistols
1107
Column formation (division)
2202, 2301, 2302, 2303, 2304, 2305, 2306, 2313
Column formation (squadron)
2401, 2402, 2403, 2404, 2405
Communication facilities
5202, 1107 (l )
Communication procedure
5208
Conditions of readiness
4110, 4218, 4303, 5207
Confidential information, security of
5212
Conservation of equipment
4202, 5102, 5207
Countermarching
2310
Cruising radius of M. T. Boats:
PT 20 type
1107-1 (o )
PT 71 type
1107-2 (o )
PT 95 type
1107-3 (o )
PT 103 type
1107-4 (o )
Curved fire
4108
V
SUBJECT
Article No.
D
Daylight torpedo attack (see Attack plans)
1301, 1302, 1303, 1304, 1305, 1306, 1307, 1308
Daylight signals
2701, 5204
Defense and escape tactics
2109, 3904, 3902, 3903
Deployment
2108
Deployment from division column
2304
Deployment from division vee
2311
Deployment from squadron formation
2405
Depth charges, number and type:
PT 20 type
1107-1 (e )
PT 71 type
1107-2 (e )
PT 95 type
1107-3 (e )
PT 103 type
1107-4 (e )
Depth charge, care and upkeep
4315
Depth charge racks, number and type:
PT 20 type
1107-1 (f )
PT 71 type
1107-2 (f )
PT 95 type
1107-3 (f )
PT 103 type
1107-4 (f )
Depth charge, sinking times
4305
Depth charges, types used
4301
Depth charge, use against submarines
1501, 1502, 1503, 1504, 1505, 1506, 1507, 1508, 1509, 1510, 1511, 1512, 1513, 4307, 4313
Depth setting (depth charges)
4304
Depth setting (torpedo)
4110 (e )
Directing machine gun fire
1404, 4207
Disguise
1508
Division, definition of
2201
E
Echelon formation (division)
2202, 2315-2319
Effective range factor (torpedo)
4102 (m )
Employment of motor torpedo boats (general)
1201, 1202, 1203, 1204, 1205, 1206, 1207, 1208, 1209, 1210, 1211
Encoded messages
5205, 5212
Enfilade
1305, 2303
Engineering practices
5101, 5102, 5103, 5104, 5105, 5106, 5107, 5108
Escape tactics. (See Defense and escape tactics.)
VI
SUBJECT
Article No.
F
Fire, technique of. (See Gunnery.)
Fire distribution (machine gun)
4204
Firing, emergency (torpedo)
4105 (b), 4111 (e )
Firing, primary (torpedo)
4111 (b )
Firing, interval (torpedo)
4105 (a )
Firing methods
4110 (a ), 4111
"Firing point" of torpedo
4102 (i )
Firing speeds (of boats firing torpedoes)
4110 (d )
Flag signals (division)
2501 (b )
Flag signals (squadron)
2501 (b )
Flares, parachute
3404
Flashes, light. (See Light signals.)
Formations-General information
2101-2109
Fresh water capacity:
PT 20 type
1107-1 (h )
PT 71 type
1107-2 (h )
PT 95 type
1107-3 (h )
PT 103 type
1107-4 (h )
Fuel capacity:
PT 20 type
1107-1 (i )
PT 71 type
1107-2 (i )
PT 95 type
1107-3 (i )
PT 103 type
1107-4 (i )
Fuel consumption and cruising radius
6201, 6202, 6203, 6204
Full salvo (torpedo)
4104 (b )
Function of motor torpedo boats
1101, 1102, 1103, 1104, 1105, 1106
G
Gasoline consumption with 77' Elco
6204
Generators, care of
5013
Group leader
2104
Group salvo
4104
Gun care and upkeep
4202, 4219
Gun control
4203
Gunnery orders and standard procedure
4201, 4202, 4203, 4204, 4205, 4206, 4207, 4208, 4209, 4210, 4211, 4212, 4213, 4214, 4215, 4216, 4217, 4218, 4219.
VII
SUBJECT
Article No.
Guns, number and types carried:
PT 20 type
1107-1 (a )
PT 71 type
1107-2 (a )
PT 95 type
1107-3 (a )
PT 103 type
1107-4 (a )
Gunsight
4216
Gyro angle
4106
H
Hand and arm signals
2501 (a )
I
Individual tracer control
4214
Initial position of target ship
4102 (e )
Instruction books
4219
L
Laying of smoke screens
4404
"Lieing to"
1407
Lead angle tables (depth charges)
4310
Lead angle tables (torpedo)
4109-2
Leader in formation
2104
Light signals
2501 (c )
Linear target presentment
4012 (y )
Lookouts
1510, 4212
Low-visibility and night attacks
1401, 1402, 1403, 1404, 1405, 1406, 1407, 1408, 1409, 1410, 1411, 1412, 1413, 1414, 1511.
Lubricating oil capacity:
PT 20 type
1107-1 (j )
PT 71 type
1107-2 (j )
PT 95 type
1107-3 (j )
PT 103 type
1107-4 (j )
M
Machinery, care and use of. (See Engineering practices.)
Machinery inspection
5104
Maneuvering (division)
2303-2318
Maneuvering (squadron)
2405
Machinery on each boat:
PT 20 type
1107-1 (n )
PT 71 type
1107-2 (n )
PT 95 type
1107-3 (n )
VIII
SUBJECT
Article No.
Machinery on each boat-Continued.
PT 103 type
1107-4 (n )
Mean torpedo track
4104 (d )
Momentary sight angle
4102 (p )
Mufflers
1403
N
Night attack. (See Attack and low visibility and night attacks.)
Night signal
2501 (c ), 5204
O
Oerlikon, 20-mm. guns
1107 (a )
Oil bubbles, ascent of
1512
Order in formation
2106
Over range
4102 (x )
P
Pair firing (torpedo)
4108 (d )
Parachute flares
3404
Partial salvo (torpedoes)
4104
"Patrolling the station"
4316 (n)
Percussion firing, emergency (torpedo)
4105, 4110 (c )
Personnel-General
2102
Training for depth charge attacks
4306
Training with guns
4201
Training with smoke screen apparatus
4403
Training with communication apparatus
5210
Presentment, silhouette
1403
Presentment, target
4102 (v )
Point of aim
4102 (d )
Point of intercept
4102 (n )
Provisions, fresh:
PT 20 type
1107-1 (k )
PT 71 type
1107-2 (k )
PT 95 type
1107-3 (k )
PT 103 type
1107-4 (k )
R
Racks, depth charge
1107 (f )
Radar equipment
1206, 1513
Radio communication
5203
IX
SUBJECT
Article No.
Radio director finder
1107 (m ), 5202, 5207 (d )
Radio equipment
1107 (l )
Radio procedure
5208
Radius
1107 (o )
Radius of visibility for MTB
6206
Range allowance (torpedo)
4102
Range of effectiveness (depth charge)
1503
Range of machine guns
4210
Range (torpedo)
4102 (r ), 4110 (b )
Recognition and identification
4211
Repairs
5105, 5207
Retirement
2109
Ring-sight
4216
S
Safety orders, posting of
5107
Safety precautions
4201,5101,5207 (c )
Salvo (torpedo)
4104 (a )
Salvo interval (torpedo)
4105 (a )
Scatter plan
3903
Seamans eye (torpedo)
4109 (b ), 4109 (3)
Security of confidential matters
5213
Semaphore equipment
5202
Seniority in formation
2107
Ships-guide
2106
Sight angle (torpedo)
4102 (p )
Sight control
4213 (c )
Sight, line of
4102 (h )
Signals:
Hand and arm
2501 (a )
Flag
2501 (b )
Light
2501 (c )
Radio
5208
Silhouette presentment
1403 (c ), 3404
Single firing (torpedo)
4102 (c )
Size and specifications of MTB's:
PT 20 type
1107-1
PT 71 type
1107-2
PT 95 type
1107-3
PT 103 type
1107-4
Slant range
4213 (h )
Small arms
1107 (a )
X
SUBJECT
Article No.
Smoke screen, use of
3904
Smoke screen generator
4401
Smoke screen generator, type used:
PT 20 type
1107-1 (g) )
PT 71 type
1107-2 (g )
PT 95 type
1107-3 (g )
PT 103 type
1107-3 (g )
Smoke screen generator, care and upkeep
4402
Smoke screen, general notes on
4404
Spares
5106
Speed of ascent of air and oil bubbles
1506
Speed of MTB-s
1107 (o )
Spread
4106
Spread, unit of
4106 (b )
Spread formation
3902
Spread gyro angle
4106 (d )
Squadron, definition of
2401
Squadron maneuvering
2404
Squadron formations
2402, 2403
Squadron deployment
2405
Standard distances in formation
2105
Standard point of aim
4102 (d )
Standard speeds
2105
Standard tube angles
4107
Station keeping
2103
Submarines, attack on. (See Antisubmarine attack.)
Submarines, notes on characteristics of
4316
Submarines, rate of descent and lateral speed in crash dive
6205
Superelevation
4213 (g )
Supported attacks
3402
T
Tactical formations and orders
Chapter 2
Tactical signals.
2501 (a )
Target ship track
4102 (f )
Target speed, actual
4102 (g )
Thompson machine guns
1107 (a )
Torpedo, numbers and types carried:
PT 20 type
1107-1 (c )
PT 71 type
1107-2 (c )
PT 95 type
1107-3 (c )
XI
SUBJECT
Article No.
Torpedo, numbers and types carried-Continued.
PT 103 type
1107-4 (c )
Torpedo battery
4108 (c )
Torpedo control system
4109
Torpedo control procedure, primary method, emergency method
4111, 4105 (b ), 4111 (c )
Torpedo depth setting
4110 (e)
Torpedo director
4109 (i)
Torpedo firing. (see torpedo control.)
Torpedo range
4102 (r ), 4110 (b )
Torpedo speed
4102 (m ), 4110 (b )
Torpedo track
4102 (l )
Torpedo, triangle of fire
4102 (a )
Torpedo tube angle
4107 (a )
Torpedo tubes-Numbers and types:
PT 20 type
1107-1 (d )
PT 71 type
1107-2 (d )
PT 95 type
1107-3 (d )
PT 103 type
1107-4 (d )
Tracer control
4215
Tracer cut back
4212 (f )
Tracer observation
4215
Track (torpedo)
4102 (l )
Track angle
4102 (j )
Track order
4213 (a )
Tracking
4213 (b )
Triangle of torpedo fire
4102 (a )
Tube angle
4107 (a )
Tube, blinker
4202 (5)
U
Unsupported attacks (see Title attack)
3401
V
Vee formation (division)
2302, 2306, 2307-2314
Vee formation (squadron)
2403
Vee of vees
2403
Verys pistols
5202 (8)
Visual communications (see Signals)
5204
W
Wake
1202, 1403 (b ), 1413
Water, fresh
1107 (l )
Wilco
4208 (b )
XII