the field artillery journal - Fort Sill - U.S. Army

In modern warfare it is vitally important that the artillery
have some means of rapid concealment from enemy
observation. With this in mind, experiments were
conducted in Battery A, 3d Bn, 1st FA Tng Regt, FARTC,
Fort Bragg, to devise means whereby a camouflage net
could be put up quickly.
A spider-web made of wire, which (to the best of my
knowledge) was first used by Capt. Richard Brown,
formerly of Btry B, 149th FA Bn, 31st Div Arty, furnishes
the frame on which the regular fish net is supported. This
spider-web and net can be erected in a very few minutes
and provides the necessary concealment and adequate field
of fire for flat trajectory guns, but does not allow for
howitzer fire. Slight changes in the construction of the wire
spider-web allows an embrasure for this high angle fire.
MATERIALS FOR THE FRAME
The materials used in the net are all standard issue. Tengauge
wire is used in constructing the collapsible spiderweb;
lacing and rim wires are 16-gauge material. The
RAPID CAMOUFLAGE
By Lt. Daniel H. Sherman, FA
202
former is 330 feet long, the latter 165 feet in length. Ten
guy ropes, equipped with metal or wire slips, are of ⅜″
hemp rope 10 feet long and are permanently fixed to each
radial. The standard 36 × 44 foot fish net equipped with
garlands of jute or oznaburg painted the correct color is
used to cover the wire spider-web.
To construct the collapsible spider-web, cut the 10gauge
wire into 36″ lengths, bend each end of the
lengths back three inches, and fold it, providing a halfinch
eyelet at each end. A second length of the wire is
hooked into this eyelet and twisted, thus forming a loose
link. This is repeated until ten chains are made, four of
ten, two of seven, three of eight, and one of nine links.
The chains are folded link over link into a compact
bundle 8″ in diameter and 30″ in length. A center ring,
6″ in diameter, is made by forming a 20″ length of ⅜″
rod into a circle and welding it. To this center ring the
chains of 10-gauge wire are fixed permanently, but
loosely enough for the links to be moved freely. As
noted in the diagram, four of the radials (1, 1A, 3, and
3A) are the diagonal chains to the corner posts (Nos. II,
IV, VI, and VIII), and four (2, 2A, 4, and 4A) pass
through both the long and short axis to posts numbered
I, III, V, and VII. The two remaining radials (5 and 6)
run out to posts numbered IX and X.
The support poles are of 2 × 4 inch material, cut into 6′
6″ lengths with a 1″ notch in the top to provide a slot in
which the end link of the radial is placed and affixed to the
guy rope.
TO ERECT NET
Trails having been dropped and the direction of fire
indicated, the chief of section determines the center of the
net. On this spot he places the collapsed spider, ring down.
Each member of the squad takes a folded radial and
unfolds it outward. Care is taken that radials numbered 3A,
5, and 6 are in the direction of fire. When all chains are
unfolded they are pulled taut, thus adjusting the net. It is
important that chains 1 and 1A, 2 and 2A, etc., be exactly
aligned across the center ring. After the net is oriented each
squad member marks a spot two paces from the radial end
and firmly emplaces a 2½′ stake over which he places a
loop formed in the end of his guy rope. When this is done,
each squad member places a support pole underneath the
radial and guy rope. On command of the chief of section
all poles are raised simultaneously. Poles should finally
slant outward from the center, common tension being the
means of providing stability. The 165-foot length of 16gauge
wire is firmly fixed to pole IX, then carried around
the edge of the net frame, being placed outside the top of
the poles and above the guy ropes to post X. It is then