Signaling by Means of Panels.
The increasing use of the airplane in modern warfare has necessitated the development of reliable communication between it and the earth. This has gradually been worked out in the following methods:
1. The direct dropping of messages by the airplane.
2. The use of radio apparatus.
3. The use of visual signaling by means of lamps, fireworks and panels.
Panels are pieces of cloth or other materials of various designs which are spread out on the ground in a manner to be easily seen by the airplane. They are for three purposes.
1. To signal to an airplane the identity and location of a unit’s headquarters by the use of its distinctive panel, called its “identification panel.” This is displayed either when the airplane requests it (by means of radio) or when the headquarters desires to attract the attention of the airplane.
2. To signal to the airplane other brief information by the use of rectangular panels known as “signaling panels” and arranged in various ways, either by themselves or in conjunction with the unit’s identification panel.
3. To signal to the airplane the position of the front line in a daylight advance by the use of special panels called “marking panels.” These are displayed only when called for by the airplane.
All panels are removed as soon as an acknowledgment is received from the airplane.