The inspection team was assisted by two yeomen and one photographer, who would create the report in accordance with existing fleet instructions. The appropriate department heads - deck, medical, gunnery/weapons, supply and operations - were required to assist in the inspection of damaged spaces under their cognizance to provide systems data descriptions/mission impact for the report. On smaller ships (e.g., DDs, DDEs, LPAs, AOs, ARSs, AEs, LSDs, LSTs), the formal inspection was conducted by the Assistant Damage Control Officer (ADCO/DCA) (1st Lieutenant), Chief Engineer and Executive Officer. If the complete damage analysis assessment could not be conducted and completed at sea while underway, a more detailed inspection would had to be conducted at anchor in a safe harbor or in port. The requirement was to report date, time, and location or area of operations personnel casualties (name, rate/rank, branch, and service number) a brief description of damage and mission impact.

This report was to be signed by those officers performing the inspection assessment and the commanding officer.

At the first opportunity, a follow-up, detailed, preliminary shipboard inspection/damage assessment at sea of the affected space(s) was conducted for a required, descriptive War Damage Report. During World War II, when a ship sustained battle damage or any other type of mishap occurred (e.g., collision, running aground, explosion, fire, heavy weather damage), a War Damage Report was required.

Us navy world war 2