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.