Communications between the Front and the Rear

One way communications such as birds, message projectiles and flares were used to move information from the front line to the rear areas. This was always the second choice to two way communication, since there was no guarantee that the message was received by its intended recipient.

Pigeons were often used to carry written messages to designated areas behind the lines. They were then transported to the front to be used again. These proved to be very reliable and could travel virtually unlimited distances.

Minenwerfers, Granatenwerfers and portable signal message throwers ("Signalwerfer" - shown right) could be used to shoot hand written messages to designated areas in the rear. Runners were then used to retrieve the projectile and deliver the message to the proper authority.

In addition to illuminating the battlefield, colored signal flares were used to transmit specific messages such as progress during an assault. Unfortunately, weather and topography could effect the visibility/receipt of these messages.

Two way communication such as radio, fieldphones, telegraph, signal flags, signal lamps and couriers were used when a response or acknowledgment was necessary. Human couriers offered the slowest turnaround.

Radio, fieldphones and telegraph offered the fastest verifiable turnaround. During WWI, radios were not very portable and typically did not exist on the front line. They were mostly used for Arial recognizance. Fieldphones and telegraph were portable, but required a wire to connect both ends. This was a major problem where artillery bombardment was prevalent. An additional concern with any electronic communication was the possibility of interception by the Allies.

Signal Flags and Lamps allowed two way communication, but required line of site between both parties. Given the right location, signal lamps could transmit information for several miles.

Couriers could be either human or animal. Runners, cyclists and motorcycle riders were all used to transmit two way dialog. Dogs could also be trained to carry messages in both directions. Unfortunately, these methods provided no guarantee of message delivery until the courier returned with a response or acknowledgment. The examples below belong to one of our members. The motorcycles are a 1915 Cleveland and a 1913 Douglas. The bicycle is an Austrian Puch, model 1916, with oil lamp and rifle rack.