| Whistle Commands 101 |
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Contemporary accounts of Light Infantry officers are clear that many could easily direct their troops exclusively with whistle commands. We know from these accounts that using whistles was a fairly novel concept and that no standardized signal format was ever developed for the British Army at this time. This means that Light Infantry officers pretty much made it all up as they went! In the Nothern Brigade, some universal whistle signals have evolved and, of course, our Light Company uses them. It is policy that every NCO and Officer in the company has a whistle. The following is a short tutorial on the whistle commands. |
All whistle commands in the Northern Brigade consist
of a combination of short and long blasts. We'll use graphic symbols to
illustrate these blasts.
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SYMBOL
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WHAT IT MEANS
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Short blast
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Long blast
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Pause
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Right then! Now that we have the basics down, let's review the Universal whistle commands of the Northern Brigade. These commands have been established over the course of years and despite their simplicity, are very effective on the battlefield.
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COMMAND: "GO"
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blast
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explanation
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result
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two short blasts simply mean "go" or "march" or "advance". | The company moves forward. |
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COMMAND: "STOP"
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blast
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explanation
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result
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one short blast simply means "stop" or "halt". One blast has been chosen for "stop" as it is difficult to mistake. | The company halts. |
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COMMAND: "RALLY"
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blast
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explanation
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result
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three blasts mean rally on the source of the whistle. |
The company breaks ranks and reforms on the source of the whistle. This one is important for the marker as he is responsible for marking the new position and making sure people dress on him. |
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COMMAND: "RETREAT"
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blast
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explanation
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result
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tweet tweeeeeeet re-treeeeat |
NCOs see to your sections and retire in good order (as if we ever DO this). |
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COMMAND: "CEASE FIRE!"
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blast
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explanation
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result
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several consecutive short blasts. |
Cease Fire! (Don't pull the trigger!) |
In addition to the Northern Brigade whistle commands, the Lights have a few of their home grown signals.
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COMMAND: "SCREEN!"
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blast
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explanation
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result
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Start with "GO"
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This gets the company moving forward to prepare to screen the regiment. |
Company marches forward in loose order. |
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Once clear of the flank: |
two quick blasts followed by a quick pause followed by two quick blasts | Company flushes out to cover the entire frontage with an extended line. |
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COMMAND: "FLANKERS AWAY"
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blast
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explanation
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result
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One long sustained blast signals section leaders to take their men and flank the column while on the march. |
Section 1 advances indian files to the right, proceeding down the flank of the column towards the front. Section 2 advances indian files to the left proceeding down the flank to the column towards the front. |
