Throughout
the First World War all sides used visual modes of communication. Passing
messages from trench to trench was often achieved through the use of
lamps fitted with a morse key. Trained operators could use the lights
to pass messages in morse code. Their use, however, was not without
difficulty. First, the messages could not be passed over long distances
as they needed clear lines of sight to be effective. Secondly, the light
itself could attract enemy fire. Flags were also used to pass on messages.
Using just two flags waved in different ways, the best operators could
send 12 words per minute. Although impressive in itself, this was not
necessarily quick enough.
In order
to overcome the limitations of these methods of communications, other
ways of passing messages were deployed. Telegrams proved very useful.
These could be transported quickly by runners, despatch riders, dogs
or pigeons. The British Army made great use of the latter. In the course
of the war over 20,000 pigeons trained and handled by 370 pigeoneers
were used.
Telephones
were also used. These were obviously very useful at providing immediate
communication to and from the front lines but, once again, their use
was not easy. The main problem lay with the cabling. Although the signallers,
assisted by specially trained horses, mules and dogs, could lay the
cable it was easily damaged by shell fire etc. As the war progressed
new means of laying the cables were pioneered which made it easier to
maintain the lines of communication.The First World War also witnessed
the start of widespread use of wireless technology. This obviously had
the advantage of being able to operate without cables being laid in
advance but when it was first introduced, the machines were large, heavy
to transport, unreliable and their transmissions could be received by
the enemy. However, improvements were made and wireless communication
did take off. Perhaps its main use was by the airforce who could use
wireless technology to provide immediate reconnaissance reports from
the air.
