Improved signals and communications

Photograph showing a signaller. (DUL ref: Misc Photo Album 2)

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.