Pearl Harbor Collage

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Louis P. Davis, Jr., Diary ( USS Reid ), 7 December 1941

Notes
The word "Director" in the text stands for the fire control center for the aiming of the 5" guns on board the vessels in question. Also, the mention of the "Wesley" not being able to supply enough for five vessels is in referrence to a power source that supplied power to the "Directors" as mentioned above.

Text and Image(s) from Diary
December 7, Page 49-50 51-52 53-54 55-56 57-58 59-60
Transcription for the images below:

Diary of Louis Poisson Davis, Jr.
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Page 49 of Louis Poisson Davis, Jr.'s diary
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Page 50 of Louis Poisson Davis, Jr.'s diary
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Transcription for the images above:

[Page 49]

Dec 7 1941
Pearl Harbor

Was peacefully reminicing in my bunk about last night. Had been to a party with the Wilhmots at the Hickam Field Officer's club. Several alarm sounded the clock said 0800 so I surmised that they must be testing it. Heard a yell from passageway "Mr Davis"we are being attackd" I jumped up ran

[Page 50]

to the door of the Wardroom. As I went up a Japanese plane bellied up over Ford Island clearly showing the rising sun on it's wings. Made the director in nothing flat to get battery firing. I am senior gunnery officer aboard and only one who knows how to work the director. I got the machine guns going about 0803. God damn locks on magazine.
December 7, Page 49-50 51-52 53-54 55-56 57-58 59-60
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Citation : [Diary of Louis P. Davis, Jr.], 7 December 1941, Louis Poisson Davis Jr. Papers.
Location : East Carolina Manuscript Collection, Special Collections, Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858 USA
Call Number : Louis Poisson Davis Jr. Papers #452.1.d.    Display Collection Guide

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