Impression sketch of Telephone Set D Mark III - by Jamie. For more details on how World War I affected
military communications see original pdf source at:
http://www.engagingwithcommunications.com/history/articles/THG_Papers/World_War_One_Comms/The_impact_of_world_war_one_on_military_communications_THG_AGM_2014_A_Sutton.pdf
Developments of communication
On the Frontline battlefields,
Was discussed in a lecture,
On the afternoon of Wednesday
27 July 1915, by Charles Darling.
The telephone innovation used
In the field, was attributed
To the Russo-Japanese
War, from ten years before -
Which Japan's army developed.
Ten years later, in second year
Of a new war, flag signalling
Was heading to redundancy -
Mr Darling explained
differences
Of the house and field telephones.
The war phone was a compact
Instrument without a bell;
Being heavily unpractical -
Instead a vibrating buzzer had
Been adopted utilised in Morse.
Not quite a new idea as buzzers
Had been devised some
90 years before, by retired
Gunner of the Royal Field Artillery;
A modified idea of an electric bell.
The disruptive sounds of battle
Could drown a human voice,
So that Morse code could
Be used more readily, to transfer
Vital information from the front.
Power for the phone was gained
From a dry cell battery -
A receiver was a watch
Pattern microphone, dependent
On bits of carbon shot capsules.
Mr Darling displayed the actual
D mark III, Portable Field
Telephone - an improved
Buzzer gave clear sound, that
Would wake a sleeping operator.
The D Mark III had advantages;
Using less current so cell
For the cell to last longer -
Also to have two receivers so
Two could listen to messages.
Both users could confirm - while
One receiver could be
Strapped on head, to give
Hands free to take down notes
Or for other needs, if need be.
Additionally having two receivers
Proved a back up, should
One cord get damaged;
As wires made of stranded copper
Would often snap due to twisting.
The talk also covered these field
Telephonist's duties - first
Checking telephone to be
In good working order;- required
A working knowledge of system.
An operative had to make tests
Regularly of the buzzer,
And to check receiver
For any possible faults that may
Have occurred in use or transit.
A telephonist would need to lay
Wires precisely - lines
Varied dependent on needs;
A Japan technique of varnished
Steel wire for temporary uses.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1915 War Telephones – Field Operatives
Difficulties. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 5 August. P.4. Col.5. Available at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11776326/Daily-Telegraph-August-5-1915.html
[Accessed: 5 August 2015].
Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal
communication, 5 August 2015).
#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary
#worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1Communication
No comments:
Post a Comment