Communications have always been, and are still a vital part of the Army's fighting power. Only with clear and trusted communications can commanders support, control, and lead their units and soldiers. The evolution of electrical communications in the last 150 years has been one of the most important developments humanity has ever witnessed. As the advantages that from ever more complex equipment became apparent the need for a technical arm of the Army, who specialised in communication systems, became apparent. The Royal Corps of Signals was founded in 1920 and since its founding the Corps has been leading the development of communications; delivering them in a variety of operational theatres.

The ability to communicate is a prerequisite for success both in military and civil life. Surprisingly, everyone expects access to communications, but rarely wonders how it is achieved. The purpose of this book is to bring into focus one of the cornerstones of the success of the British Army, and to provide an insight into the complexity and diversity of the Royal Corps of Signals. This is done, not by narrative, but by delving into unit history rather than campaign history, thus offering a different perspective for the historian. Royal Signals is one of the largest Corps in the British Army, and consists of a body of very highly trained and dedicated personnel to manage, operate, and repair the advanced technology that is theirs to administer. Signals are the Invisible Elite, without them there is no victory. Before the independent Corps of Signals was formed in 1920, Royal Engineers provided communications for much of the Army. Details of their signal units are included. Reflecting the new technologies as they occur, the reader will see the new signal units being raised to facilitate the exigencies of the time. For example, during the Second World War the Golden Arrow Detachments were created as independent, mobile, high-speed transmitting and receiving stations to provide links to Britain, and thus provide High Command with the information from Commanders in the Field that was desperately needed. These units also passed intercepted enemy signals back to England for the code breakers at Bletchley Park. Other specialist Signal units were created for Air Support, Para Signals, Commandos, Interception, Fixed Communications, Peacekeeping and a multitude of other reasons. In today's changing world signals continue to get their message through - Swift and Sure. This book is a must for historians, genealogists, and those that served. It contains: - Overviews of the Signals Order of Battle at specific times in history- Detailed précis of specialist signal units including Commando, and Para units.- History of 35 Commonwealth and related Signal Corps- Photographs of many rare signal badges- Scores and scores of unit histories both Regular and Territorial from the past to the present

Since 1920, the Royal Corps of Signals has provided the British Army's central nervous system, enabling orders to be delivered and information to be exchanged, principally at the higher levels of command. It has been crucial in supporting the vast majority of military land-based operations after the First World War. Its importance is growing because conducting successful operations is becoming increasingly reliant upon being able to operate in a congested and contested electronic battlespace. ROGER SO FAR does not aim to tell the full story of the Royal Corps of Signals, since much of the Corps' work now and in the past is secret. Instead the book is a celebration of the Corps' achievements and the ability of its soldiers to use innovation and improvisation to deliver results beyond all reasonable expectations. As well as acting as an historical record, including reminiscences covering several aspects of life within the Corps during its first 100 years, it seeks to stir memories and to inform those who are serving, or have served in the Corps, as well as to inform those who have not served and those who may be thinking of doing so.

Allied Fighting Effectiveness in North Africa and Italy, 1942-1945 offers a collection of scholarly papers focusing on heretofore understudied aspects of the Second World War. Encompassing the major campaigns of North Africa, Sicily and Italy from operation TORCH to the end of the war in Europe, this volume explores the intriguing dichotomy of the nature of battle in the Mediterranean theatre, whilst helping to emphasise its significance to the study of Second Word War military history. The chapters, written by a number of international scholars, offer a discussion of a range of subjects, including: logistics, the air-land battle, coalition operations, doctrine and training, command, control and communications, and airborne and special forces. Contributors are Matthew C. Ford, Simon Godfrey, John Greenacre, Andrew L. Hargreaves, James Hudson, Alan Jeffreys, Kevin Jones, Paul Lemaire, Ross Mahoney, Christopher Mann, Cesar Campiani Maximiano, Patrick J. Rose, and Grant T. Weller.