During WWII, the standard Army flashlight had a 90 degree angle head. They came with multiple lenses, which served various tactical purposes.
- Blue- Typical used by a medic team to signal. Assists in seeing blood easier in dark conditions.
- Green- Confirms position to allies at night via Morse Code.
- Blackout- For Nightime map reading.
- Yellow- Rumored to assist in finding metal at nightime.
- Wide- Spreads the beam outwards
- Red- Does not interfere with night vision.
Because this battery operated flashlight was at a right angle, it was treasured by servicemen, as it could be placed on its base, and used hands-free. The WWII issue, Model TL-122, was itself a slightly altered version of the angle-head, brass-bodied Eveready Model No. 2694 Industrial flashlight and the No. 2697 Boy Scout flashlight, first introduced in 1927. The MX-99/U flashlight issued in 1963, was standard issue during the Vietnam War.
I have fond memories of taking my Dad's Angle Flashlight camping with me. I loved switching the lenses out, and pretending I was Rambo!
Painted arrows point the way to the flashlight-cache's opening.