Description
WW2 Signaling Lamp believed to be RAF RAAF
A World War II signaling lamp was a device used for sending visual messages through light signals, often used for communication in military contexts, particularly in naval settings or during nighttime operations. These lamps would typically emit bright flashes of light, which could be interpreted by observers using a specific code, most famously Morse code.
The lamps were used for a range of purposes, such as:
- Sending Morse code: The operator would use the lamp to transmit short and long bursts of light corresponding to the dots and dashes of Morse code, allowing for encrypted or important messages to be sent across long distances.
- Signaling between ships or from ships to land: It allowed vessels, especially in wartime, to communicate without the need for radio, which could be intercepted or jammed.
- Coordinating operations in low visibility: The lamps could be used when other means of communication, like radios, were unavailable or impractical, such as during storms, at night, or in areas with poor signal reception.
Typically, the lamps were hand-held or mounted and could be operated manually or electrically. They came in a variety of forms, including portable models for infantry or fixed installations for larger operations.
