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From: thorn@godot.radonc.unc.edu (Jesse Thorn)
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Siganl Flags (was Re: Learning in War )
Message-ID: <9932@cbnews.ATT.COM>
Date: 5 Oct 89 02:14:01 GMT
References: <9869@cbnews.ATT.COM>
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Organization: Radiation Oncology NCMH/UNC, Chapel Hill, NC
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From: thorn@godot.radonc.unc.edu (Jesse Thorn)


>From: bash@cbnewsd.ATT.COM (thomas.w.basham)

>>There was an article in Signal magazine some years ago - the author suggested
>>the reason for the rapid success of Germany in tank warfare against France
>>was possible because every German tank had radio, whereas the French tank
>>forces relied on messengers on motorcycles.

>Many nations, however, emphasized alternate means of communications...

>The earliest was the use of signal flags, in a sort of semaphore system.
>Each commander carried a card explaining the meanings of various colors
>and positions; for example, one set might mean "form column", another
>"form line abreast", a third "halt", etc. 


The British armored forces in North Africa during WWII used signal
pennants flown from tank aerials for communication during periods when
radio silence was to be observed. Bryan Perret's "British Tanks North
Africa 1940-1942" devotes about a page to this. The pennants were used
not only for identification purposes but for issuing commands and
conveying useful information.

Some examples include: 
. Troop leader's vehicle
. Navigator vehicle
. Rally and reform here
. Disabled vehicle
. Disabled vehicle in minefield

They were brightly colored and about a meter in length. 

Jesse Thorn
thorn@godot.radonc.unc.edu