In a book I’m reading (James Hornfischer’s jaw-dropping Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors . . .), there is repeated mention made of the geyers of coloured spray sent up by incoming Japanese rounds. In one memorable sequence, Hornfischer recounts how one of the destroyers was like a chameleon - each time a salvo landed near, the ship would be doused in a different colour. Then the bow would dip into a wave and water would rinse the decks and gunwales clean until a shell bearing a different hue - green, yellow, red - crashed a column of seawater across her decks again. Sailors in the open would be painted similarly. But, I digress . . .
In any case, one of my questions is whether all Japanese naval shells carried a dye load to indicate where they landed, or only some. And, in either case, wouldn’t the trajectory of a dye-carrying shell differ from one not so laden (especially if it only contained dye)? In other words, how confident could the Japanese be that they could adjust their aim according to where they saw the dye appear.
As an aside, did the Americans also use dye-carrying shells to adjust their aim? Or did their computer controlled firing make it irrelevant? Hornfischer never mentions it.
I can’t answer your questions, but “Tin Can Sailors” was a great read. His earlier book about Guadalcanal (Neptunes Inferno?) wass also excellent. If you like the subject, pick up Sea of Thunder by Evan Thomas.
I can’t say for certain, but I imagine that the dye was part of the explosive charge rather than being applied to the shell casing. I don’t see how an external dye would survive being fired.
As to the second question, the USN relied on its computerized fire control systems for ship-to-ship action. Combined with sheer audacity, it was probably the major factor in allowing the DDs and DEs to be as effective as they were.
The US sailors exclaimed, “They’re shooting at us in Technicolor!”.
The purpose of the colored dye was so each ship could distinguish which splashes were theirs so they could adjust their aim accordingly.
I’d bet most of the shells each ship had on board were the regular kind, but the dye-loaded ones were naturally to be used up first once they finally had the opportunity to fire on enemy ships.
I’m sure the dye was just mixed in with the explosive charge and didn’t affect the shell ballistics at all.
Yes, Americans used dye-carrying shells to adjust their aim as well. Proof that Admiral Scott and most of the bridge crew of the Atlanta had been killed by friendly fire in the confused night engagement of Friday Nov 13, 1942 off of Guadalcanal came in the form of green dye: