They are photos of signalmen from the signal bridge of the destroyer Balch. She was there trading signals with my ship the Hughes at Midway.
We received signals by light that the sonar gear would be ineffective due to the turbulance caused by the escort ships that were patroling in the vicinity of the carrier. There was also oil in the water from the ships fuel which would also affect the sounding.
Shortley after we received this message from the Balch all hell broke loose with the submarine I-168 firing his torpedoes.
During patrol in combat areas the flag bag on the signal bridge became our bunk for the night in case we were needed, we were right there. The signal man on the 4 to 8 watch was the one entitled to sleep on the signal bag. The other guys slept wherever they could. |
