Page 301 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

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▶ PIGEON
MESSAGE CAPSULE 27mm flare
Date 1914–1918
Cocking handle
Origin UK
Type Message dispatch COMMUNICA
During the war, thousands of
messenger pigeons were used
by the British and German
armies. Messages written on Leg clip
rice paper and folded to fit into
containers such as this were
attached to the birds’ legs. Message capsule
Flare cartridges TIONS EQ

▲ FLARE PISTOL
Date 1907
Plaited cord lanyard Origin Germany UIPMENT OF W
Type Signaling
▲ SIGNALING WHISTLE A whistle-blast was the usual signal for This 27mm caliber flare pistol is of
Date 1914 pre-planned actions, such as an assault simple steel and wood construction. The
or a machine-gun barrage. This example firing mechanism consists of a sprung
Origin UK was used by an Australian officer in cocking handle, which acts as a firing
Type Signaling the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. pin when released by the trigger.
Indicator dial ORLD W
displays incoming
message character
by character
◀ FIELD TELEPHONE AR I
Date 1914–1918
Origin Germany
Handset Type Telephony
Field telephones were used
extensively throughout
World War I, mostly to
allow front-line units
to communicate with
headquarters to the rear.
However, they relied on
cables that were extremely
fragile and had to be
repaired frequently.

Morse key
Cutaway for the nose
◀ MEGAPHONE
Date 1915
Origin UK
Type Signaling
This loudhailer megaphone
was recovered from the area
known as Shrapnel Gulley at
Anzac Cove on the Gallipoli
Peninsula, together with
Handle other artifacts used by 2nd
Field Company, Royal
Australian Engineers,
Wooden between April 25 and
baseboard December 20, 1915.