"Early War Arty Observers question?" Topic
9 Posts
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Uesugi Kenshin  | 09 Nov 2021 9:55 a.m. PST |
Quick question about 1914 Artillery Observers on all fronts. Did the majority of these Observers use wireless radio or telephones? Or were Runners used. Thanks for any tips. I'm trying to figure out how to best model these Figures. |
| Nine pound round | 09 Nov 2021 12:03 p.m. PST |
In the earliest stages of the war, most field batteries engaged the enemy directly, and commanders spotted the fall of shot themselves, sometimes from horseback or conveniently spotted caisson. When the war became static, and batteries dug in at a greater distance from the front, and when indirect fire became a common practice, forward observer teams in the front lines communicated with battery positions by telephone. Air spotting, when it began in 1915, was done with wireless telegraphy. |
| Martin Rapier | 09 Nov 2021 12:26 p.m. PST |
A lot of fire in 1914 was semi indirect with the guns behind crests and the battery officers spotting from the the ridgeline. Field telephones were also used. |
| Uesugi Kenshin | 09 Nov 2021 2:51 p.m. PST |
Thank you 9 & Martin for the quick responses. |
| rvandusen | 10 Nov 2021 4:10 a.m. PST |
The very new wireless tech of 1914 was too unwieldy for practical use. I have a book on the Imperial German Army that has a diagram of a 1914 infantry division. The wireless equipment was so large it was horse-drawn. I've also come across photos that show French observation officers employing a portable observer's post on a limber that was climbed via a ladder. Not a very secure perch in The Battle of the Frontiers! |
GildasFacit  | 10 Nov 2021 5:21 a.m. PST |
Field telephone if it could be laid in time and flag signalling if not. |
| monk2002uk | 10 Nov 2021 1:29 p.m. PST |
I have also seen examples where a relay of men was set up between the observer and the battery. Robert |
| emckinney | 11 Nov 2021 10:37 a.m. PST |
"I've also come across photos that show French observation officers employing a portable observer's post on a limber that was climbed via a ladder." You'll see a few photos from North Africa in WWII with the same thing on motor transport. When the terrain is so flat … |
| Heedless Horseman | 19 Nov 2021 8:01 a.m. PST |
Artillery was an 'intelligent' arm… (As were Engineers'!). No offence meant for Inf / Cav Officers, but their role was different and more subject to prescribed drills and training.
Many Arty Junior Officers HAD to be innovative, adaptive 'do'ers'… especially FOOs and would use any means appropriate to direct indirect or semi-indirect fire… would depend on circumstance.
Not wireless in early period… Field Telephone or Flag Semaphore… in the main. Also… huge benefit from early Air, when available…streamered message drops. |
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