They believe that the benefits of dazzle camouflage were largely psychological, helping to boost the morale of Allied sailors. Some argue that the camouflage did little to actually confuse the enemy. The effectiveness of dazzle is still one that’s discussed today. it was a layout made it more difficult for the enemy to distinguish the ship from its surroundings. This was achieved by using a combination of contrasting colours and patterns. The camouflage was intended to create an optical illusion that would make it difficult for enemy submarines to determine the direction of the ship. One of the primary goals of dazzle camouflage during World War II was to confuse enemy submarines. The USS Northampton with a painted fake bow wave. For example, the colours used were often more muted and the patterns were less geometric and more organic in shape. The designs used on dazzle ships in World War II were similar to those used during World War I, but with some modifications. Dazzle Ships in World War IIĭuring World War II, dazzle camouflage was used extensively by both the Allies and the Axis powers. He also became involved in the British film industry, serving as a technical advisor and creating special effects for several films. This made it more difficult for enemy submariners to accurately determine the ship’s speed and size.Īfter World War I, Wilkinson continued to work as an artist and illustrator, producing advertising materials, book illustrations, and other works. The patterns were designed to break up the lines and contours of the ship. This involved painting ships in bold and eye-catching patterns of contrasting colours, such as black and white or blue and yellow. However, Wilkinson believed that these techniques were inadequate and that a new approach was needed.Īn official report on the SS Alban camouflaged in dazzle pattern in 1918.ĭrawing on his background as an artist and designer, Wilkinson developed the dazzle camouflage technique. ![]() At the time, traditional naval camouflage techniques involved painting ships in shades of grey or blue to make them blend in with the sea. With the outbreak of World War I, Wilkinson became involved in efforts to protect British ships from enemy attack. He also worked as a magazine illustrator, contributing to publications such as The Illustrated London News and The Sphere. Read More: WW2 Shipwreck: Time to Remove 1400 Tons of ExplosivesĪfter completing his studies, Wilkinson worked as an illustrator and poster designer, creating advertising materials for companies such as the London and North Western Railway and the London Underground. Born in Cambridge, England, Wilkinson studied at the Portsmouth and Southsea School of Art and the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Norman Wilkinson (1878-1971) was a British artist and illustrator who is best known for his development of the dazzle camouflage technique during World War I. However, the technique did have a lasting impact on the world of art and design, and has been celebrated as an early example of abstract art. In particular at night or in low visibility conditions.ĭazzle camouflage fell out of use after World War I, as improvements in naval technology made it less effective. Even if the patterns did not actually confuse the enemy, they may have made it more difficult for them to accurately target the ship. While the effectiveness of dazzle camouflage is still debated, some historians believe it did help reduce the number of ships lost to U-boats. The British aircraft carrier HMS Argus with its dazzle camo in 1918. The patterns were painted on the sides of the ship, including the bow, stern, and superstructure, and sometimes even on the smokestacks. The patterns used on dazzle ships were often brightly coloured and featured bold, angular shapes, such as stripes, zigzags, and chevrons. Read More: U-Boat “Packed With Gold” Famed Treasure Hunter Has Left Clues Wilkinson believed that by making ships more difficult to target, he could help reduce the number of ships lost to U-boat attacks. The technique was developed by British artist Norman Wilkinson, who was commissioned by the British Admiralty in 1917 to come up with a way to protect ships from German U-boats. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at dazzle ships in World War II and how the paint works. This would make it more difficult for enemy vessels to accurately determine its speed, direction, and distance. The idea behind dazzle camouflage was to use bold, geometric patterns and contrasting colours to break up the silhouette of a ship. ![]() ![]() Dazzle ships, also known as “razzle-dazzle” ships, were a type of naval camouflage first used during World War I.
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