Signaling.
This chapter proposes to cover a large amount of ground in a small
compass; hence treatment must be brief. A more liberal treatment will
be found at different sources; here a few suggestions and hints will
be given.
SEMAPHORE.--Time spent, 61 hours: 6 sessions 1/2 hours, 1 session 1
hour, 1 conference 2 hours. It is easy to say "just learn the
semaphore," but to learn it quickly and well is another matter. A few
suggestions as to the methods followed by others will usually prove
helpful. Learn the semaphore by what may be called the "cycle" method,
_i.e._, teach and illustrate how the successive letters are formed by
moving the arm or arms around the body in a clockwise direction
through successive stages. There are a few exceptions to the rule as
will be pointed out; but they only serve as a few landmarks and help
to fix the whole matter more firmly in mind.
FIRST CYCLE.--1 arm. A to G. One arm always at the interval. Be sure
to make the "D" with right arm straight overhead--then it is more
distinct at a distance. (Plate.)
SECOND CYCLE.--2 arms. H to N, inclusive, with exception of J. One arm
always in the A position. In making I always be sure that the left
hand is at the A position. Some men insist in making this letter wrong
by crossing the body with the left hand uppermost. This is very
awkward and also very indistinct at a distance. P changes arms but
retains same relative position of flags.
THIRD CYCLE.--2 arms. T and U. Right arm in position of C. Letter U
actually resembles that letter.
THIRD CYCLE.--2 arms. O to S. One arm always in B position. In letter
O, left arm is in B position; in all others, right arm.
FOURTH CYCLE.--2 arms. T and U. Right arm in position of C. Letter U
actually resembles that letter.
DOUBLES.--L, U, R, N. These letters are keys to many others and should
be promptly learned.
OPPOSITES.--V and K, O and W, Q and Y, S and M, Z and H, X and I, M
follows L in cycle and is opposite of S, S follows E in cycle and is
opposite of M, K precedes L in cycle and is opposite of V. Figures are
first 10 letters of alphabet, preceded by crossing flags overhead.
INSTRUCTING.--This plan of teaching the semaphore will be found very
helpful, for it helps to reason out the alphabet for the student. By
fixing firmly in mind a few things the student can soon reason out the
alphabet for himself by a very logical plan.
SECOND STEP.--After the men have been taught the alphabet they should
either pair off and one man send to the other, or one man should be
selected to send for the entire class. At first only letters should be
sent until the men have learned the alphabet thoroughly. In this way
the key characters of the alphabet can be fixed in mind, as well as
their relation to the other letters.
THIRD STEP.--The men should next be paired off and instructed to send
simple messages to each other. You should insist that there be no
other communication between the men than by means of their flags.
FOURTH STEP.--Proceed to simple qualification tests, four men working
in two pairs and the pairs alternating in sending and receiving. One
man of first pair should read for his companion to send. On the other
end, one man should read and the other copy. The distances should be
such as to preclude the possibility of conversation. Forty letters per
minute is a fair test; or this system may be followed: Have a good
signalman send 10 combinations of 5 letters each to the whole class.
The men should read these and write them down, _one combination at a
time_. Time limit should be 3 minutes.
[Illustration: Plate 13]
WIG WAG.--Time spent: Same as semaphore course. The alphabet can be
found in any standard signal book, or in the "Manual for
Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates." The dots are made to the
right of the body, the dashes to the left; interval at the end of a
word by dipping the flag once to the front, at the end of a sentence
by dipping it twice, and at the end of a message by dipping it three
times. The alphabet should be learned first according to the same
general plan as in the semaphore; _i.e._, the key letters to certain
combinations should first be learned. The following grouping of
letters may be found helpful:
E I S H; T M O; A U V; N D B; R F L; K C Y; W P J; G Z Q.
The instructor can find many other groupings that will aid him. It
should also be pointed out that each number from one to ten consists
of five characters, and that each succeeding number follows the
previous one according to a regular method.
After the men have studied the alphabet sufficiently, have them send
to each other, limiting the work at first to letters only. Then
gradually work up to the point where they may send simple messages.
Make them rely upon the flags for communicating during the practice.
Do not permit conversation--separate the men by a considerable
distance. In both wig wag and semaphore instruction the same plan
should be followed as in teaching a foreign language; _i.e._, confine
all communication to the medium under study. Qualification tests are
similar to those for the semaphore, except that less speed can be
exacted; 15 characters per minute or 10 combinations of 5 letters each
to be received and written down in 5 minutes.
In both the semaphore and the wig wag men should be taught the
conventional signals used in field work. These can be found in any
manual on the subject.
POINTS TO REMEMBER.
The semaphore is a quicker means of communication than the wig wag;
but the wig wag can be used in a prone position under shelter.
Lanterns can be used at night for semaphoring.
Acetylene lamps can be used at night in place of the wig wag. In this
case a short flash represents a dot, a long flash a dash.
A few men in each company should be developed into expert signalers;
some men always show aptitude for this sort of thing.
Frequent use should be made of signaling in field work.
Letter Codes.
INFANTRY.
For use with General Service Code or semaphore hand flags.
--------------+---------------------------+----------------------------
Letter of | If signaled from the rear | If signaled from the firing
alphabet | to the firing line | line to the rear
--------------+---------------------------+----------------------------
AM | Ammunition going forward. | Ammunition required.
CCC | Charge (mandatory at | Am about to charge if
| all times). | no instructions to the
| | contrary.
CF | Cease firing | Cease firing.
DT | Double time or "rush." | Double time or "rush."
F | Commence firing. |
FB | Fix bayonets. |
FL | Artillery fire is causing |
| us losses. |
G | Move forward. | Preparing to move forward.
HHH | Halt. |
K | Negative. |
LT | Left. |
O | What is the (R.N., etc.)? | What is the (R.N., etc.)?
(Ardois and | Interrogatory. | Interrogatory.
semaphore | |
only). | |
| |
..--.. | What is the (R.N., etc.)? | What is the (R.N., etc.)?
(All methods | Interrogatory. | Interrogatory.
but Ardois | |
and | |
semaphore). | |
P | Affirmative. | Affirmative.
RN | Range. | Range.
RT | Right. | Right.
SSS | Support going forward. | Support needed.
SUF | Suspend firing. | Suspend firing.
T | Target. | Target
--------------+---------------------------+----------------------------
Arm Signals.
The following arm signals are prescribed. In making signals either arm
may be used. Officers who receive signals on the firing line "retreat
back" at once to prevent misunderstandings.
FORWARD MARCH.--Carry the hand to the shoulder; straighten and hold
the arm horizontally, thrusting it in direction of march. This signal
is also used to execute quick time from double time.
HALT.--Carry the hand to the shoulder; thrust the hand upward and hold
the arm vertically.
DOUBLE TIME, MARCH.--Carry the hand to the shoulder; rapidly thrust
the hand upward the full extent of the arm several times.
SQUADS RIGHT, MARCH.--Raise the arm laterally until horizontal; carry
it to a vertical position above the head and swing it several times
between the vertical and horizontal positions.
SQUADS LEFT, MARCH.--Raise the arm laterally until horizontal; carry
it downward to the side and swing it several times between the
downward and horizontal positions.
SQUADS RIGHT ABOUT, MARCH (if in close order) or, TO THE REAR, MARCH
(if in skirmish line).--Extend the arm vertically above the head;
carry it laterally downward to the side and swing it several times
between the vertical and downward positions.
CHANGE DIRECTION OR COLUMN RIGHT (LEFT), MARCH.--The hand on the side
toward which the change of direction is to be made is carried across
the body to the opposite shoulder, forearm horizontal; then swing in a
horizontal plane, arm extended, pointing in the new direction.
As SKIRMISHERS, MARCH.--Raise both arms laterally until horizontal.
As SKIRMISHERS, GUIDE CENTER, MARCH.--Raise both arms laterally until
horizontal; swing both simultaneously upward until vertical and return
to the horizontal; repeat several times.
As SKIRMISHERS, GUIDE RIGHT (LEFT), MARCH.--Raise both arms laterally
until horizontal; hold the arm on the side of the guide steadily in
the horizontal position: swing the other upward until vertical and
return it to the horizontal; repeat several times.
ASSEMBLE, MARCH.--Raise the arm vertically to its full extent and
describe horizontal circles.
RANGE, OR CHANGE ELEVATION.--To announce the RANGE, extend the arm,
toward the leaders or men for whom the signal is intended, fist
closed; by keeping the fist closed battle sight is indicated; by
opening and closing the fist, expose thumb and fingers to a number
equal to the hundreds of yards; to add 50 yards describe a short
horizontal line with forefinger. _To change elevation_, indicate the
_amount of increase or decrease_ by fingers as above; point upward to
indicate increase and downward to indicate decrease.
WHAT RANGE ARE YOU USING? OR WHAT IS THE RANGE?--Extend the arms
toward the person addressed, one hand open, palm to the front, resting
on the other hand, fist closed.
ARE YOU READY? OR I AM READY.--Raise the hand, fingers extended and
joined, palm toward the person addressed.
COMMENCE FIRING.--Move the arm extended in full length, hand palm
down, several times through a horizontal arc in front of the body.
FIRE FASTER.--Execute rapidly the signal "COMMENCE FIRING."
FIRE SLOWER.--Execute slowly the signal "COMMENCE FIRING."
TO SWING THE CONE OF FIRE TO THE RIGHT, OR LEFT.--Extend the arm in
full length to the front, palm to the right (left); swing the arm to
right (left), and point in the direction of the new target.
FIX BAYONET.--Simulate the movement of the right hand in "Fix
Bayonet."
SUSPEND FIRING.--Raise and hold the forearm steadily in a horizontal
position in front of the forehead, palm of the hand to the front.
CEASE FIRING.--Raise the forearm as in _suspend firing_ and swing it
up and down several times in front of the face.
PLATOON.--Extend the arm horizontally toward the platoon leader;
describe small circles with the hand.
SQUAD.--Extend the arm horizontally toward the platoon leader; swing
the hand, up and down from the wrist.
RUSH.--Same as _double time_.
The signals PLATOON and SQUAD are intended primarily for communication
between the captain and his platoon leaders. The signal PLATOON or
SQUAD indicates that the platoon commander is to cause the signal
which follows to be executed by platoon or squad.