1. Service of Inter-communication
It is only in the armies of England and the United States that a complete system of inter-communication between all parts of the Army has been organized. Such a system has not been fully developed in foreign armies, but its necessity is more than ever pressing, owing to the wide dispersion of forces in war, and the need for rapid transmission of Information as to the enemy’s movements from the Front to Head-Quarters, and of Orders from the several Head-Quarters to the Troops.
The means of communication in war are:
Electric: i.e. Telegraph, telephone, wireless.
Visual: i.e. Flag, lamp, or heliograph.
Manual: i.e. Orderlies (mounted, bicycle, or foot); a system of relay posts served by despatch riders; motor cars or motor cycles.
Balloons, aeroplanes, and kites.
Balloons were first used by the French at the Battle of Fleurus in 1794, and are being experimented on by many nations at present. There will be six balloons, of which three can be worked at one time, with the British Army of six Divisions, and probably two balloons to each German Army Corps.
The whole system of inter-communication in the British Expeditionary Force is under the Director of Army Signals, who is at General Head-Quarters, in close connection with the General Staff.
Communication Units are provided for General Head-Quarters and Divisions, and also on the L. of C., as follows:
Cavalry Division: 1 Wireless Telegraph Company.
Infantry Division: 1 Telegraph Company.
General Head-Quarters: 2 Cable Telegraph Companies; 2 Air-line Companies; 3 Balloon Companies.
Lines of Communication: 2 Telegraph Companies.
The following are the details of the communication provided by these units, and of their composition:
WIRELESS TELEGRAPH COMPANY
The Wireless Telegraph Company provides communication between General Head-Quarters and the Cavalry Division, up to 80 miles, and also inter-communication in the Cavalry Division, between Head-Quarters and the Brigades, up to 20 miles.
The Company is composed as follows: A Head-Quarters Section, for communication with General Head-Quarters, and with detached Brigades; three Sections for three detached Brigades (the fourth Brigade being with Divisional Head-Quarters). Each of these Sections carries its wireless equipment in a wagon, but is also provided with 3 pack horses to carry it. The Head-Quarters Section has equipment for 5 large stations—one for communication with the three Sections, two detached to General Head-Quarters, and two for communicating with the latter. These duplicate stations allow of one pair being ready for work while the other pair are moving into new positions as the Head-Quarters advance.
The strength of the Company is 136, with 114 horses—namely: 5 Officers, 6 Sergeants, 4 Artificers, 1 Trumpeter, 120 rank and file, of whom 60 are available for the telegraph work.
There are 16 wagons, 46 riding horses, and 4 bicycles.
DIVISIONAL TELEGRAPH COMPANY
The Divisional Telegraph Company provides for internal communication in the Division. It comprises 3 Detachments, each providing a line of cable 10 miles long, with 3 telegraph offices for communication with the 3 Brigades.
The strength of the Company is 61, with 41 horses—namely: 2 Officers, 3 Sergeants, 1 Artificer, 55 rank and file, of whom 35 are available for the telegraph work.
There are 6 wagons, 21 riding horses, and 1 bicycle.
ARMY TROOPS TELEGRAPH COMPANIES
There are 2 “Cable Companies” and 2 “Air-line Companies” at General Head-Quarters. The former provide temporary communication between General Head-Quarters and Divisions or Army Detachments; the latter, communication of a more permanent character between General Head-Quarters and the Advanced Base.
The “Cable Company” comprises a Head-Quarters, and four Sections, or 9 detachments, each providing 10 miles of cable line, and 3 telegraph offices.
The strength of the Company is 176, with 125 horses—namely: 6 Officers, 7 Sergeants, 4 Artificers, 2 Trumpeters, 157 rank and file, of whom 100 are available for the telegraph work.
There are 19 wagons, 61 riding horses, and 1 bicycle.
The “Air-line Company” comprises a Head-Quarters and three Sections, each of 2 detachments, providing 20 miles of air-line, 8 miles of cable, and 6 offices.
The strength of the Company is 225, with 158 horses—namely: 6 Officers, 12 Sergeants, 5 Artificers, 2 Trumpeters, 200 rank and file, of whom 120 are available for the telegraph work.
There are 22 wagons, 52 riding horses, and 1 bicycle.
BALLOON COMPANIES, FOR RECONNAISSANCE
Three Balloon Companies are allotted as Army Troops, each to work one balloon and one set of kites, with telephones to connect the observer up in the captive balloon or kite with the ground.
The strength of a Company is 67, with 52 horses—namely: 3 Officers, 3 Sergeants, 1 Artificer, 1 Bugler, 59 rank and file, of whom 30 are available for the ballooning work.
There are 3 wagons for equipment, 6 reservoir wagons for gas, 8 riding horses, and 1 bicycle.
Note.—In the strength of all the above Engineer Units are included 2 men of the Medical Corps attached.
The above network of telegraphic inter-communication, extending between all Head-Quarters, is supplemented within the Units of the Field Force by a system of Signalling.
Each Division has a Divisional Signalling Officer, with a small detachment of Signallers—4 men in the Cavalry Division, and a Sergeant and 6 men in the Infantry Division.
Each Brigade has a Brigade Signalling Officer and 4 Signallers.
Each Cavalry Regiment and Mounted Infantry Battalion has a Signalling Sergeant, with 27 Signallers (9 per squadron).
Each Infantry Regiment has a Signalling Officer and Sergeant, with 32 Signallers (4 per company).
Each Divisional Artillery Head-Quarters has 4 Signallers.
Every Artillery Brigade has 2 Signallers.
Every Battery has 5 Signallers.
A system of Telephones is, in addition, provided for each Infantry Brigade. There is a Telephone Detachment to work under the Brigade Signalling Officer. It consists of a N.C.O. and 5 privates, with a cart and a pack mule to carry the equipment, for which 2 drivers are allotted.