On the ships I was on the 3"50 on the bow was not
numbered. The 5"51 or 5"38 were not numbered.They
were called by what they were. Some of the troop
ships were equipped with more big guns and they may have been numbered. The 20mm's were numbered.
Example as I remember and from my gunnery officers report. The most forward 20mm on the starboad side would be #1 20mm. The most forward
20mm on the port side would be #2 20mm. It wouid
follow this rotation all the way to the aft. As this is a good subject Mike you should get a lot
of responses. It makes sense if a ship had three
3"50s they must have a number. My mind ia a little foggy but I think we counted from the starboard to port.
---Al