In the middle of Page 1 is the word References :
followed by ( a ) through (f ).
Reference (a) is the Mailgram found in the
Reports Introduction
The Torpedo and Bomb Damage Report is written in a clear style
with easy - to - read print and double spacing.
As noted on the cover page, this is a Preliminary Report and changes
will be made in future ones.
Paragraph 6 in Page 2 notes that the Commanding Officer of the Oglala
reported that a bomb fell between the two ships at ~0800.
This does not show up in any of the Helena reports
but in this paragraph this is noted as a 'maybe'.
Paragraph 7 in Page 3 concerns near misses on the starboard side
50-75 feet near gun mounts and anti-aircraft guns.
The MAILGRAM dismisses this observation.
The near misses took place on the 1010 Dock,
near the starboard bow, and starboard quarter.
No near misses took place in the middle of the ship where
the 5 inch guns and AA were rapidly firing.
In other reports you find that enemy aircraft veered away from the
Helena.
Beginning with Paragraph 9 in Page 3,
much of the discussion going forward concerns damage and damage control.
There are 66 paragraphs in this report.
Photos taken while the Helena was in DryDock #2 are
in Page 5
