IV. Additional arm-and-hand signals for rifle companies... 29-30 V. Additional arm-and-hand signals for machine-gun companies.... 31-35 VI. Additional arm-and-hand signals for howitzer companies. 36-44 45-53 54-57 58-64 1. Purpose of signals. Signals are for the purpose of transmitting commands when the transmission will be in a simpler, more direct, and more efficient manner than would be possible by the use of the voice. 2. Kinds of signals employed. Signals may be by whistle, by arm-and-hand, and by flag (tanks), as prescribed herein. 3. Whistle signals.-Whistle signals will be made with the whistle prescribed for the leader or commander concerned. 4. Arm-and-hand signals.-a. In making arm-and-hand signals, either arm and hand may be used, unless specifically stated otherwise. b. When possible, the signals will be commenced with the hand at the side and will be completed by its return to that position. c. Signals must be plainly visible to those concerned in their execution. d. If a movement is to be executed by an integral part of a command, the signal designating the unit or units will be given before the signal for the movement. e. Signals made up of two or more elements will be avoided unless the component parts are easily recognized. They should never be used when a single signal will serve the same purpose. f. On the firing line, or in drills simulating firing-line conditions, leaders will "repeat back" at once each signal received. 5. Flag signals (tanks).—The signals provided for tanks, in lieu of whistle and arm-and-hand signals, are made with one-color flags, 18 inches square, attached to 2-foot poles. Leaders and men of all front-line units will be required to know the tank-flag signal for Infantry help wanted. 6. Attention to orders.-Sound a short blast of the whistle. The signal is used to fix the attention of troops, or of their commanders and leaders, preparatory to giving commands, orders, or signals. When in charge of a portion of the firing line, each squad leader will fix his attention upon his platoon or section leader for signals at the short blast of a whistle. If the squad leader's attention is attracted by a whistle other than that of his platoon leader, or if he receives no orders or commands to give to his squad, he will return his full attention to his squad or group at once. 7. Suspend firing.-Sound a long blast of the whistle. This signal will be verified at once by an arm-and-hand signal or by other means. 8. Limitation as to number of whistle signals.—Whistle signals, other than the two given above, are prohibited. Section III GENERAL ARM-AND-HAND SIGNALS Forward, march; by the right (left) flank, march; to the rear, march Paragraph 9 10 11. 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 New target.. Suspend firing. Cease firing. Section. Squad.. Section of squad column. 9. Forward, march; by the right (left) flank, march; to the rear, march.-Face and move in the desired direction of march; at the same time extend the hand vertically to the full extent of the arm, palm to the front, and lower the arm and hand in the direction of movement until horizontal. FORWARD BY THE RIGHT (LEFT) FLANK HALT (Par. 10) 10. Halt.-Carry the hand to the shoulder, palm to the front; then thrust the hand upward vertically to the full extent of the arm and hold it in that position until the signal is understood. 11. Lie down; or, take cover.-Turn toward the unit or group and raise the hand, palm down, in front of the elbow, forearm horizontal; thrust the hand downward and back to this position several times, holding the wrist rigid. 12. Double time, march; or, rush.—Carry the hand to the shoulder, fist closed; rapidly thrust the fist upward vertically to the full extent of the arm and back to the shoulder several times. 13. Quick time, march.-Raise the elbow to a position above and to the right (left) of the shoulder and extend the forearm to the left (right), hand above the head, palm to the front. 14. Change direction, march.-Carry the hand that is on the side toward the new direction across the body to the opposite shoulder and, with the palm down and the forearm horizontal, swing the forearm in a horizontal plane, extending the arm and hand to point in the new direction. 15. As skirmishers, march.-Raise both arms laterally until horizontal, arms and hands extended, palms down. If it is necessary to indicate direction of march, signal Forward march, moving at the same time in the desired direction. AS SKIRMISHERS (Par. 15) 16. As skirmishers, right (left), march.-Raise both arms laterally until horizontal, arms and hands extended, palms down; swing the arm and hand on the side toward which the deployment is to be made, upward until vertical and back immediately to the horizontal position; repeat swinging movement several times; hold the other arm and hand steadily in the horizontal position until the signal is to be completed. 17. Assemble, march.-Raise the hand vertically to the full extent of the arm, fingers extended and joined, and describe large horizontal circles with the arm and hand. 18. Range; or, change elevation.-Announce the range by extending the arm fully toward the leader or men for whom the signal is intended, with the fist closed; open the fist, exposing the palm and fingers to the leaders or men, once for 500 yards, twice for 1,000 yards, and so on; move the fist upward, wrist rigid, and back to the range announcing position once for each 100 yards up to 500 and for each additional 100 yards above 500 or the multiples of 500; describe a short horizontal line with the arm, fist closed, to add 50 yards. Change elevation by indicating the complete new range. |