Today on Gus’ Gear, I present some of the flags used to signal with semaphore and Morse code in the field and between ships.
The standard U.S. Army Signal Kit had two identical flags that were 16 inches square on 24 inch handles. They are carried in a canvas bag with a shoulder strap. These flags were used for semaphore signals.
Pages from the “1917 Manual of Infantry” showing the two-arm semaphore code
The U.S. Signal Corps insignia disc depicts crossed signal flags superimposed on a torch.
These U.S. flags are part of the signal kit, they are 24 inches square and have a three segment pole that screws together. This pole is the correct diameter to use as a mono-pod for the EE-6 Electric Signal Lamp. These flags are for signaling in Morse code and are referred to as wig-wag signals. The dot is indicated by the signaler lowering the flag from overhead to the right in a 90° arc, a dash is signaled to the left and an interval is to the front of the signalman. The white flag with a red center was used against a dark back ground and the red flag with the white center was used when the back ground was light for better visibility. These are the flags depicted on the U.S. Signal Corps insignia.
These are Canadian produced signal flags of the type use by forces of the United Kingdom. They were used for signaling in Morse code, using the blue flag when the back ground is light and the white flag with the blue stripe when the back ground is dark.
Pages from the British “1907 Signalman’s Manual” show the positions for dot and dash in signaling with Morse code.
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This is an example of a British signalman’s insignia that would be worn on the left sleeve. It depicts the blue and white with blue stripe flags used by the signalman.
This is a German signalman’s insignia, worn on the left sleeve. This example is on a Kaiserliche Marine uniform and shows the style of flag used by German forces.