Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-08-01

van1ltage OF the experlmen,s OF the past

vantage OF the experiments of the past
decade. and now has equipment which
is equal to that of any company in the
regular army. 1t has also been able
10 work on its own initiative. and has
already succeeded in evolving one
scheme which may be of invaluable aid
In transporting the wireless equip
ment of a field company. This is done
by means of motorcycles. especially
designed 10 replace the pack mules
now used exclusively to carry these
delicate sets. This equipment has
been tested out around this city. and
will be given a real test during the
coming encampment
The Signal Corps is a mounted or
ganization-that Is. its men are indi-
vidually mounted. and greatly resemble
cavalry in their movements. AS 1t has
charge OF all kinds Of communications,
it directs the operation Of the tele-
phone. telegraph and wireless trans
mission in the field. In order to carry
out this work II is we'll equipped for
this purpose.
Sixty-seven enlisted men and three
officers comprise the Richmond COM
mand. which is the only one OF its Kind
in the South. This company, known
as Type D. Field Company. is di-
vided in two platoons OF two sections
each. One platoon is known as the
wire platoon and the other as the wire
less platoon. The wire platoon is
equipped with carts carrying ten miles
OF wire and with the means Of carrying
on all work which would fall to the lot
OF telegraph or telephone construction
or repair forces of any modern COR
poration. Each of these carts are
drawn by four horses. and are capable
OF being worked at n rapid speed. bot h
in laying the wire and In recovering 1t.
Two men manipulate the cart and the
balance of the section ride in the rear,
being designated as linemen, mes
senGers, operators and horse holders
The wireless platoon is equipped with
two field wireless pack sets. each out
| fit having a sending and receiving
| radius of seventy-five miles. 1t re-
quires four mules to carry each of
these sets, and a wireless station can
| be established or dismounted in from
five to ten minutes 1t is to elimina tie
| the mules that the Richmond company
| is experimenting, substituting the
| Speedier motorcycles
Special qualifications are required OF
| Signal Corps troops in war and in
| peace. They must have ability to be
in position. fully equipped with ef-
| fcicnt men and material. to carry out
| the orders of the commanding officer
and to maintain. uninterruptedly. such
communication. either by electricity
or visual signaling. or both, without
regard to change of headquarters. as
will keep the commander continuously
informed as to the progress of the &C
| ton, the position of his troops. hospital
trains and supply departments.
| To meet the first requirement, the
Signal Corps must have men technical
| ly trained In time of peace. and 1t must
] also be prepared to cover long distance
as quickly as cavalry and to overcome
all difficulties and obstacles Of the
route, and still keep In souch with such
! subordinate commanders is orders re-
quire. To meet the second require
ment the personnel must understand
thoroughly all classes OF signaling
must know how to repair the neces-
sary material. and must DO prepared tc
meet. tactically. the shifting require
| ments of the battle field and the
strategical condition Of the occupied
| territory. .s---..
From this it will be seen that tn.