
Among the defensive weapons carried by the PT boats were the smoke canisters that were positioned in the stern–the rear part of the boat. Deploying these canisters provided the PTs with an immediate, and very thick, smoke screen to help the boat make its escape from pursuing enemy craft. The photo above, taken from the vast archives of LIFE Magazine, shows two PT crewmen on an unidentified boat off Guadalcanal in early 1943. The sailor on the right is seated on the boat’s smoke canister.
In close encounters with larger, better armed adversaries, the PTs counted on speed, surprise, maneuverability, and deception. For close-in fighting, every second–and every fraction of a second–counted. The PT crews were well positioned to make the best use possible of every tool and strategy at their disposal. Laying down a massive smoke screen was a weapon that they learned to use to great effect.
My thanks to fellow PT Splinter, Jeff Duncan, who posted this excellent photo on a Facebook page devoted to the children and other relatives of the Navy’s “Mosquito Fleet.” Much appreciated, Jeff!!