THE WAVING OF FLAGS AND TORCHES: A STUDY OF TACTICAL COMMUNICATIONS IN THE SIGNAL CORPS DURING WORLD WAR I t . .._,.- , ,. i jC;.-.:, "Approved for public release;distribution is unlimited." i j 87-3615 k,. L': ~....;,..l.,.i..r r..,... 04-3237.19 MASTER OF MILITARY ART AND SCIENCE THESIS APPROVAL PAGE Name of candidate: MAJ Ronald W. Vandiver Title of Thesis: The Waving of Flags and Torches: A Study Of Tactical Communications In The Signal Corps During World War I Approved by: .Thesis Committee Chairman .Member, Graduate Faculty Member, Graduate Faculty MAJ(P) Alfred A. Schenck, M.A. Accepted this 5th day of June 1987 by: Director, Graduate Degree Programs Philip J. hokes. Ph.D. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student author and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (westo this studv -include the forenolnnstalement.) ABSTRACT THE WAVING OF FLAGS AND TORCHES: A Study Of Tactical Communica- tions In The Signal Corps During World War I, by Major Ronald W Vandiver, USA, 142 pages. This study assesses the ability of the United States Army's Signal Corps to respond organizationally, technologically, and doctrlnally to the chan ing tactical communication requirements dictated by the character of war!are existing in Europe both at America's entrance into declared war, and its subsequent campaign participations. The study focuses initially on an overview of the Si nal Corps from the years of its birth to America's entrance into Worl % War I. Futher investigative material is presented to establish the position that the American prewar attitude of non- involvement contributed to a position of general military unpreparedness. to include major impacts on the Signal Corps and its ability to respond to critical communication needs. Examination of the Signal Corps' during mobilization highli hts the diffi- culties of creating, and then sustaining, a technical force. .lehe acqui~itinn and training of personnel is the remarkable story of the struggle to meet the man Ower requirements of the American Expeditionary Forces !n Prance. 1'critical analysis of the employment of tactical communications in the Second Battle of the Marne and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive then provides the primary research focus for determing the communications equipment and personnel available to an infantry division in the American Expeditionary Forces: and to trace the changes in general doctrine, tactics and equipment as a result of its battle experience. Research reveals that the Signal Corps' responded adequately to the requirements of providing a force capable of exercising the Army's signaling arm. However, being tested under the strain of combat extended the support ca abilities of the tactical signal organizations to their breaking point. ?he ingenuity of the signal soldier ensured reliable. flexihle and timely communications support, but at a great cost of manpower and material. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am indebted to many people for their invaluable assistance in the pre- paration of this thesis. but particularly my family and thesis committee. First. and foremost, I wish lo thank my wife, DiaM Latham Vandiver. To her, I would express my abiding gratitude for her encouragement, and the many long hours she spent actlvely helping me-checking. proofreading. and assisting me with many other painstakin and time consuming tasks. My children . Aaron Michael and Christie tynn. always knew when I needed extra "cuddle time." Their smiles and hugs, delivered just at the right moment. often put my work back in its proper perspective. Secondly. 1 want to express m appreciation to my thesis committee under the direction of LTC Ramsey. Y am especially indebted to him for his guid- ance and encouragement without which this study would not have materi- alized. He gave unselfishly of his time and effort in assisting me with the direction of thought and research direction, thereby providing needed insight to the formulation of this stud . I thank Dr. Gfiford and MAJ(P1 Schenck for their dedicated support ancy patience. I wish to acknowledge the courteous, rofessional and timely support or the staff of the Combined Arms Researc1Library, US. Army Command and General Staff College. Fort Leavenworth. Kansas. as well as to the Office or the Command Historian, United States Army Signal School. iv TITLE PAGE............................................................................. ..:................................................ 1 .. APPROVAL SHEET............................................................................................................................. u ABSTRACT............................................................................................................................... ACKNOWLEDCEMENT......................... .................................... .........,1v TABLE OFCO NTENTS.... ........................................................... LIST OF TABLES AND GRAPHS.. ................................................................................. VII LIST OF MAPS .................................................................................. Vlll CHAPTER I. A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIREQION ................ .... THE EARLY YEARS............ ................................................................. THE PREWAR YEARS .................................................................................. THE CHALLENGES OF WAR........................................................................................................ 16 PROBLEM STATEMENT ANDBEARCH OUES'IIONS ............................... DaIMITATIONS ........................... DEFINITION OF TERMS.............................................................................................................. 1Y SIGNIFICANCE OFTHES ~.....................................................................Y SUMMARY..................................................................................................... CHAPTEI;L 2. SIGNAL SOLDIER!j IN THE MAKING ........................................................................ 25 BACI(CR0lJND. ............................................................................................................................ 25 WARTIMESELEQIOI w ................................................................................................................ 33 MANPOI ER REQUIREMENTS ................................................................................................... 37 TRAININIG .................................................................................................................................. 41 CONmUSIONS ....................................................................................................... ..4a CHAPTER 3. THE TESTTHE TACTICAL SIGNAL ORGANIZATION UNDER .................................. liu THlSTRAINnFRATT1E_----..__-.-- -.___- BACKGROUND............................................................................................................................. 70 THE TAmICAL SIGNAL OR1 GANIZATIONS............................................................................... 51 MEANS OF COMIMUNICATION.. .............................................................................................. .54 THE m1NE............................................................................................................................ 60 A TEST (SECOND BAmEOF THE MARNE).................................................................... 63 FIFI'E FIELDSIGNAL BAlTALION........................................................................................... 66 THE 3D DIVISION IN THE DEFEN!SE.......................................................................................... 69 OBSERVAT13NS 14-13 JULY, 191%..................................................................... .................... ..:I THE 3D DIVISION IN THE OFFENSE (SECOND BA'ITLE OF.THE MARNE).......... ........ ......... 72~ CONC';LUSIUNS.. ..^*^*.^ ......................................................................................................................... .?6 V CHAPTER4. THEFINALTEST. TRANSITIONTONECXSSITY..... BACKGROUND.,. ................... , ......... .. , a MEUSE-ARGONNE FROM THE FIRST IliihaY'S PERSPEQI MEUSE-ARGONNE FROM THE FIFTH CORPS' PERSPECTIVE.........,........I,....... ........,...... .. .8S MEUSE-ARGONNE FROM TlE 1ST AND 3D DIVISIONS P~PECTIV.................................E 87 hEUSE-ARGONE FROM THE FIFTH FlELD SIGNAL'S PERSPECTIVE ...... , , . .89 MEUSE-ARGONNEFROMTlE 3D BN, 18TH ARTY'S PERSPECTIVE.................................. .....92 CONCLUSIONS .... ..,..........,.,.............,...........,. ..,. ..........I.. .. I .. .97 CHAPTER 5. THE FINAL MARKS:NECESSITY-THE MOTHER OF INMNTION.. .. .w COST........................................................................................................................................... 105 THE APPLICATION ,106 APPENDIX A. PLAN OF LIAISON, 3DDlVISION (SECOND BATTLEOFTHE MARNE) .. A-1 APPENDIX B. SIGNAL COMMUNICATIONS' INSTRUCTION FORTHE TRAINING OF DIVISIONSFOR OFFENSIVE AflION ..... ......B-1. APPENDIX C. AEF COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT DEVELOPMENTS ....................................... C-1 APPENDIX D. PLATES............ .... .. .. .. .. ... ... ...... .. ... .. ....... .. .. .. .. .. ..... .. ....... ... ....... ... ....... ........ .. .D1 BIBLIOGRAPEY.............................................................................................................................