Miscellaneous Methods of Visual Signaling.
Wig-Wag Flags.—Flags for use in wig-wagging are now issued to divisions under the name of “kits, flag, combination, standard.” Each kit includes one wig-wag staff and two wig-wag flags, and also two semaphore staff and two semaphore flags. A division is supplied with 1,022 of these kits. The use of the wig-wag flags is already fairly well known in the American Army. Signals are transmitted by describing an arc of 90 degrees to the right and left to form dots and dashes, and spaces by a downward front motion. The general service can be transmitted by this means. Wig-wag flag signaling should be thoroughly understood and practiced by all signal men, as it forms an excellent method for becoming familiar with the code. Signals can be sent by this means merely by the use of the hand, and consequently the system forms an excellent way for troops to put in their time when traveling by train or on shipboard. Its use in the present war has been limited, but it will undoubtedly be used more and more, especially when open warfare is resumed.
Semaphore.—Signals by semaphore are transmitted by the arms, either alone or with the semaphore flags that are issued in the standard combination flag kits. It is a standard means of communication in the American Navy and well known in the army. It is not used by the armies of Europe, but it might serve a useful purpose to linemen and others for intercommunication.