CHAPTER VI
SIGNALS AND CODES
1. GENERAL SERVICE CODE. (INTERNATIONAL MORSE CODE.)
Used for visual (except semaphore) and sound signaling, radio telegraphy, on cables using siphon recorders, in communication with the Navy, and in intra-field artillery buzzer communication.
| A | . - |
| B | - . . . |
| C | - . - . |
| D | - . . |
| E | . |
| F | . . - . |
| G | - - . |
| H | . . . . |
| I | . . |
| J | . - - - |
| K | - . - |
| L | . - . . |
| M | - - |
| N | - . |
| O | - - - |
| P | . - - . |
| Q | - - . - |
| R | . - . |
| S | . . . |
| T | - |
| U | . . - |
| V | . . . - |
| W | . - - |
| X | - . . - |
| Y | - . - - |
| Z | - - . . |
NUMERALS
| 1 | . - - - - |
| 2 | . . - - - |
| 3 | . . . - - |
| 4 | . . . . - |
| 5 | . . . . . |
| 6 | - . . . . |
| 7 | - - . . . |
| 8 | - - - . . |
| 9 | - - - - . |
| 0 | - - - - - |
PUNCTUATION
| Period | . . . . . . |
| Comma | . - . - . - |
| Interrogation | . . - - . . |
| Hyphen or dash | - . . . . - |
| Parentheses (before and after the words) | - . - - . - |
| Quotation mark (beginning and ending) | . - . . - . |
| Exclamation | - - . . - - |
| Apostrophe | . - - - - . |
| Semicolon | - . - . - . |
| Colon | - - - . . . |
| Bar indicating fraction | - . . - . |
| Underline (before and after the word or words it is wished to underline) | . . - - . - |
| Double dash (between preamble and address, between address and body of message, between body of message and signature, and immediately before a fraction) | - . . . - |
| Cross | . - . - . |
Note.--Numerals and punctuations must be spelled out in the ardois, as they require more than four elements, which is the limit of the ardois keyboard.
The position is with the flag or other appliance held vertically, the signalman directly facing station with which it is desired to communicate. The "dot" is to the right of sender, embracing an arc of 90°, starting with the vertical and returning to it. The "dash" is a similar motion to left. "Front" is downward directly in front and instantly returned to vertical; it indicates a pause or conclusion.
For communication between the firing line and the reserve or commander in rear, the subjoined signals (Signal Corps codes) are prescribed and should be memorized. In transmission, their concealment from the enemy's view should be insured. In the absence of signal flags, the head dress or other substitute may be used.
| Letter of Alphabet | If signaled from the rear to the firing line | If signaled from the firing line to the rear |
| A M | Ammunition going forward | Ammunition required |
| C C C | Charge (mandatory at all times) | Am about to charge if no instructions to the contrary |
| C F | Cease firing | Cease firing |
| D T | Double time or "rush" | Double time or "rush" or hurry |
| F | Commence firing | Commence firing |
| F L | Artillery fire is causing us losses | Artillery fire is causing us losses |
| G | Move forward | Preparing to move forward |
| H H H | Halt | Halt |
| K | Negative | Negative |
| L T | Left | Left |
| O | What is the (R. N., etc.?) | What is the (R. N., etc.?) |
| (Ardois and semaphore only) | Interrogatory | Interrogatory |
| . . - - . . | What is the (R. N., etc.?) | What is the (R. N., etc.?) |
| (All methods but ardois and semaphore) | Interrogatory | Interrogatory |
| P | Affirmative | Affirmative |
| R | Acknowledgment | Acknowledgment |
| R N | Range | Range |
| R T | Right | Right |
| S S S | Support going forward | Support needed |
| 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 "repeat back" at once to prevent misunderstanding.
Forward, MARCH. Carry the hand to the shoulder; straighten and hold the arm horizontally, thrusting it in the direction of march.
This signal is also used to execute quick time from double time.
Halt: Arm held stationary. Double Time: Arm moved up and down several times.
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.
To the rear
Squads Right About" />
To the rear
Squads Right About
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 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."
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. For Cease firing--Swing arm up and down several times.
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.
Use of the platoon and squad signals. 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.
You will observe that in no case is the right hand or the left hand specified. The officer may either face the company or have his back toward it.