Chapter II.
VISUAL SIGNALING EQUIPMENT.
THE WAND.
The wand is a stick of light wood about 18 inches long and one-half inch in diameter. It is held loosely between the thumb and forefinger and waved rapidly to the right or left to indicate the elements of the alphabet. It is used for practice purposes and the signals made by it are only intended to be read at very short distances.
THE FLAG KIT.
Two kinds of flag kits, the 2-foot kit and the 4-foot kit, are issued by the Signal Corps.
The 2-foot kit.—This kit consists of one white and one red signal flag, two three-jointed staffs, and a suitable carrying case to contain the outfit. The white flag is made of white muslin 2 feet square, with an 8-inch turkey-red muslin center. The red flag is of similar size and material, the only difference being an alternation of colors in the body and center. The means of attachment to the staff consists of a loop at the center, and two ends of white tape at each edge, of the back of the flag body. The staff is made of hickory in three joints, each 23 inches long, and is assembled by telescoping into brass ferrules. Brass eyes are provided on the first and second joints to receive the tape ends at the edge of the flag. The carrying case, of convenient size and shape to contain the two flags and staffs complete, is made of 8-ounce standard khaki bound with leather and fitted with a shoulder strap.
The 2-foot kit is essentially a practice kit, although under favorable conditions of weather and terrain it may be used to advantage as a short distance service signaling outfit. Two of these kits are issued to each troop, battery, and company for the purpose of disseminating general instruction in military signaling throughout the army.
The 4-foot kit.—This kit is of essentially the same description as the 2-foot kit except as regards size. The flags are 3 feet 9 inches square with 12-inch centers and the staffs are considerably heavier, the joints being each 36 inches long. The 4-foot kit is the standard field flag kit and the range at which signals can be exchanged with it depends on a variety of factors, such as the condition of the weather, the location of stations, the proficiency of signalmen, etc. The speed for continuous signaling is seldom greater than five to six words per minute.