The Art Of Tank Warfare - Chris Keeling

5” Naval Gun: The 5” naval gun
was normally mounted as primary
armament on destroyers and as
secondary armament on larger
ships such as cruisers. They were
usually mounted singly in turrets,
although occasionally two were
mounted together. A destroyer
might have four or five, while a
capital ship generally had up to
twenty such turrets, with the larger
vessels also mounting larger guns
as well.
12” Naval Gun: The 12” naval
gun was normally mounted as
primary armament on heavy
cruisers and pocket battleships.
Depending on the model, it could
fire a 442.5 to 485 kg high
explosive shell out to 12,000 to
17,000 yards. These guns were
ordinarily mounted two to three
per turret, with three to four
turrets on one ship.
16” Naval Gun: These were the
heaviest naval guns and were only
mounted on the heaviest
battleships used by the American
forces during the Second World
War. Depending on the model of
gun mounted, this weapon could
fire a 1,016 to 1,089 kg shell out to
a maximum range of 25,000 to
45,000 meters. The 16” gun was
mounted in a turret that held three
guns. Normally, three such turrets
were carried, in addition to any
secondary armament. Barrages
from these guns during the
Normandy campaign literally
flipped over Tiger VIE tanks or
buried them in so many tons of
dirt that they had to be dug out.
89
American Field Order
[The field order is used by the commander to organize his mission
planning and is accompanied by maps as needed]
FIELD ORDER
1. Information: Include appropriate information covering:
a. Enemy: Composition, disposition, location,
movements,strength, identification, capabilities.
Refer to intelligence summary of report when issued.
b. Friendly forces: Missions or operations, and location
of next higher and adjacent units, same for covering
forces or elements of the command in contact, support to be
provided by other forces.
2. Decision or Mission: Decision or mission, details of the plan
applicable to the command as a whole and necessary
for coordination.
TROOPS
3. Tactical Missions for Subordinate Units: Specific tasks assigned
to each element of the command charged with execution of tactical
duties, which are not matters of routine or covered by standard
operating procedure. A separate lettered subparagraph for each
element to which instructions are given. Instructions applicable to
two or more units or elements or to the entire command, which
are necessary for coordination but do not properly belong in
another subparagraph.
4. Administrative Matters: Instruction to tactical units concerning
supply, evacuation, and traffic details which are required for the
operation (unless covered by standard operating or administrative
orders; in the latter case, reference will be made to the
administrative order).
5. Signal Communication
a. Orders for employment of means of signal
communication not covered in standard operating procedure.
Refer to signal annex or signal operation instructions, if issued.
b. Command posts and axes of signal communication:
Initial locations for units and next subordinate units, time of
opening, tentative and subsequent locations
when appropriate. Other places to which messages may be sent.