CO537-4998 — Page 201

52.

53.

54.

55.

56.

57.

58.

Page 16.

CONFIDENTIAL

It would have been quite possible for tactical HQ -nd possibly some Battalion HQ, to tap in on the main line 1 at SAN WAI. If this is done it is important that Officers understand how to make ananibus-call over the telephone. Arrangements will be made by "G" Branch HQLF for the necessary instructions to be given.

Signal Priorities:

Priorities

Senior Staff Officers must put severe rostrictions on their juniors if important messages are not to be held up. were abused throughout the Exercise.

Message "riting:

Message writing by most officers was bad. In future, under peace conditions all Staff Officers should always have a mossare pad on their desks, and before riting a letter, make sure that the matter could not be dealt with by means of a written message. This will give them plenty of practise.

Availability of Officers an Wireless Sets:

It was practically impossible to get an officer to use or answer the wireless set. All HQs must have come arrangement for an officer to be quickly available on the set. There was some excuse for Brigade HQ because they were short of officers in the field.

RE Reconnaissance Parties:

RE reconnaissance parties and/or detachments on vital work must either have their own wireless or be provided with an infantry covering party so equipped.

Royal Artillery - Signals:

The

RT in KOWLOON during the If period, was unsatisfactory. CSO must arrange for more practise and instruction in the use of wireless in areas. surrounded by buildings. The trouble can usually be traced to the siting of sets and/or the height of aerial used. Units themselves must practise this important task of their own Regimental Signal Sections. In the field RT/WT was reasonably good considering that some of the sets held are old and in spite of interference by more powerful sets. In this connection Signals Officers must pay particular attention to the layout of sets now that there are a number of powerful ones available. Apart from the fact that the wrong type of Erigade set was with Battalion Headquarters of 2/10 GR it was sited too near to loss powerful equipment making it unnecessarily difficult for the latter.

Laying 1 ne:

After a move to tactical positions Unit Signal Officers should get into the habit of laying line to Company Headquarters immediately they know where these Headquarters are going to be. In war the loss of some cable is accepted and in peacetime rapid line laying must be practised.

Operators:

Some Officers probably do not realise that in war the crew available for operating a high power wireless set is two. This means that one is available for operating the controls and the other for passing messages. The World shortage of Royal

/Signals......