Editing Tactical communications (section)

== Early means ==
[[File:Roman soldiers with horn.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Historical reenactment]] of Roman legionary with [[Cornu (horn)|cornu]]]]
[[File:TrincheraDelEjércitoGriego2--balkancockpitpol00pric 0091.png|thumb|Bugler in Greek Army trench during the [[Balkan Wars]]]]
The earliest way of communicating with others in a battle was by the commander's voice or by human messenger. A [[Runner (soldier)|runner]] would carry reports or orders from one officer to another. Once the horse was domesticated messages could travel much faster.<ref>Raines, 3.</ref> A very fast way to send information was to use either drums, trumpets or flags. Each sound or banner would have a pre-determined significance for the soldier who would respond accordingly.  Auditory signals were only as effective, though, as the receiver's ability to hear them. The din of battle or long distances could make using noise less effective. They were also limited in the amount of information they could convey; the information must be simple, such as ''attack'' or ''retreat''.

Visual cues, such as flags or smoke signals required the receiver to have a clear line of sight to the signal, and know when and where to look for them. Intricate warning systems have though always been used such as scouting towers with fires to signal incoming threats - this could occur at the tactical as well as the strategic level. The armies of the 19th century used two flags in combinations that replicated the alphabet. This allowed commanders the ability to send any order they wanted as they needed to, but still relied on line-of-sight.<ref>Raines, 5.</ref> During the [[Siege of Paris (1870–71)]] the defending French effectively used [[carrier pigeons]] to relay information between tactical units.<ref>Raines, 68</ref>