pjjobson Posted 9 September , 2007 Share Posted 9 September , 2007 I have just seen mention of these signalling (?) devices in Sanders Marbles book, can anyone tell me what they looked like and how they were used please? Cheers Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinrowlinson Posted 9 September , 2007 Share Posted 9 September , 2007 I have no idea Phil but wonder whether they for shuttering the light of a lantern. See http://www.lampguild.org/QandApage/archives/Q0002096.htm . Best I could find. Regards Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjjobson Posted 10 September , 2007 Author Share Posted 10 September , 2007 Thanks Kevin, that would seem to be the case, it is one of the problems I regularly encounter when trying to identify something for the book, whilst only having one very vague reference. Too add or not too add, that is the question! Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBrockway Posted 18 October , 2018 Share Posted 18 October , 2018 Just came across a mention of 'Visual signalling - Dietz discs' in a Staff Officer's personal notebook alongside Runner posts and Pigeons and Pumps. Lamp signalling seems to be the best bet, but does any Pal have any more info on these Dietz discs? Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWK Posted 18 October , 2018 Share Posted 18 October , 2018 BBC schools says they're for morsecode messages: Dietz (in New York) is the company that made them? And here they're talking about Dietz and "ping-pong" discs? Quote Flags, discs, and shutters were used over short distances; lamps of several types gave good results both by night and by day. The detailed consideration of the long-range visual apparatus is better considered in connection with the second and more general type of attack where greater distances were involved. The Dietz and "ping-pong" discs have already been mentioned, for they rose to favour in the 1915 battles. Other than that no sign of them.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBrockway Posted 19 October , 2018 Share Posted 19 October , 2018 (edited) There appears to be examples in the IWM collection ... https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30118261 Quote Optical Signalling Kit, Dietz Signal Disc and Case, British Object description Dietz Signal Disc set, Patent Number 9350/07, consisting of brown fabric pop fastener case, with pocket for Papers and Signalling Forms and fabric strap, three metal semi circular discs, two painted white on one side and one black, handle for mounting and operating discs, with cylinderical (sic) screw thread cover. Catalogue number: COM 1809 No image though. This description sounds less like a lamp system, more like the coloured paddles. The IWM implies the device was invented by Colonel B I R Dietz of the 7th Dragoon Guards © IWM (HU 121270) and the catalogue info leads me to this patent in the name of Bernard Russel DIETZ ... Interesting. Mark Edited 19 October , 2018 by MBrockway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBrockway Posted 19 October , 2018 Share Posted 19 October , 2018 8 hours ago, JWK said: Dietz (in New York) is the company that made them? It seems we were both wrong and the U.S. Dietz lamp company is a red herring! The Dietz discs are named for the inventor Lt.-Col. Bernard Dietz of the British Army. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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