HOMING PIGEONS were a large part of ensuring communication between the front and rear lines. With all the chaos happening on the ground, pigeons used to offer immense help by carrying messages through the sky. Although shells still riddled their paths, pigeons made for a far smaller target. Harming a pigeon in any way was considered a great offense, and could result in a fine or even imprisonment. These birds were extensively cared for. They would be groomed, protected from gas fumes, transported in mobile carrier vehicles, and brought into the dugouts during attacks. In most cases, they were cared for better than front line horses.
A common practice when sending pigeons was to send two with the same message to ensure its arrival. During Operation Jubilee, one pigeon fondly nicknamed “Beachcomber” by the troops delivered the first news of the Dieppe Raid in France 1942. He carried a small container with the message inside attached to his leg, and he set off alone. This communication proved to be vital, as allied commanders had lost sight of the troops on the beaches. Beachcomber was awarded a Dickin Medal in 1944 for delivering such an important message under hazardous conditions. He was one of the only three animals who received the award during the Second World War.
SEMAPHORE FLAG SIGNALS were handheld beacons used for daytime signalling during the Great War. The flags were created in bright colours to ensure visibility over great distances. They featured two colours split diagonally through the middle of the flag. A signaller would hold one flag in each hand and move them in specific positions to represent numbers and letters. A team of about ten signallers could transfer a message across a 5 kilometer stretch far quicker than a horse and rider could. Messages could be sent over 200 kilometers in just two minutes, thus creating an efficient communication method for troops to communicate. These flags were mostly used by the navy, as they could be strung high onto the ship's sails. Ships could communicate to passing ships, and also to shore.
THE TELEGRAPH was the most commonly used mode of communication during battle. They would be used to inform families of their soldiers passing, capture, or wounding. Soldiers often sent telegrams to their families about their travels or that they had survived a battle. Governments and war correspondents could communicate effectively and efficiently. The messages were often kept abbreviated due to the expense of sending one.
The word telegraph is derived from Greek and means “to write far.” Messages were sent between stations by transmitting electrical signals through wires that would have been laid by troops. Transmissions would be sent in morse code, then translated to English on the other end. The electric telegraph transformed wartime communication as bases could communicate almost instantly, immensely improving reaction time to attacks.
Unfortunately, the telegraph was quickly phased out for more modern equipment. Technology was heavy, expensive, and required delicate care to remain working. Wires would be subject to gunfire and bombs, causing them to constantly require repairs. It wasn’t uncommon for a signaller to have to fix 40 cables per day. Wireless transmissions became a priority during the Second World War.
Unfortunately, the telegraph was quickly phased out for more modern equipment. Technology was heavy, expensive, and required delicate care to remain working. Wires would be subject to gunfire and bombs, causing them to constantly require repairs. It wasn’t uncommon for a signaller to have to fix 40 cables per day. Wireless transmissions became a priority during the Second World War.
FLARES were used by the army, navy, and air force during the Great War to both signal and illuminate the field. Flares of various colours would have been used for signalling, while white flares would be for flashes of light. Oftentimes, they would tie flares to trip wires to catch sight of approaching troops. Many soldiers reported issues with the flares as the paper cartridges would fall apart when damp. Flare guns were often called Very Lights by British forces. A song from the trenches was called ‘When Very Lights are Shining’ and was sung to the tune of ‘When Irish Eyes are Smiling’. The song ends with the line ‘Sure when Very Lights are shining, ‘Tis rum or lead for you.’
To find out more about wartime communication, visit the 8th Hussars Museum, 66 Broad Street, Unit 3, Sussex, New Brunswick.