If reliance is placed upon the
electric light signalling lamp, then communications are in code.
But night operations are somewhat difficult and extremely
dangerous, except when the elements are propitious. There is the
ground mist which blots everything from sight, rendering
reconnaissance purely speculative. But on a clear night the
airman is more likely to prove successful. He keeps a vigilant
eye upon all ground-lights and by close observation is able to
determine their significance. It is for this reason that no
lights of any description are permitted in the advance trenches.
The striking of a match may easily betray a position to the alert
eye above.
So far as the British Army is concerned a complete code is in
operation for communicating between aeroplanes and the ground at
night. Very's lights are used for this purpose, it being
possible to distinguish the respective colours at a distance of
six miles and from an altitude of 2,000 feet. The lights are
used both by the aeroplane and the battery of artillery.
The code is varied frequently, but the following conveys a rough
idea of how communication is carried out by this means under
cover of darkness.
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