Training - Convoys: Communications and Signals

Communications and signals enable a small guerrilla convoy (2-6 vehicles, 4-12 members) to coordinate movements, respond to threats, and maintain cohesion in high-risk environments.

They include radio communications, non-radio signals (e.g., hand, light, or improvised signals), and contingency plans to ensure operational success despite disruptions.

These methods are designed for simplicity and stealth, aligning with guerrilla principles of low profile and adaptability.

Radio Discipline

Radio discipline involves using short, coded, and secure transmissions to minimize detection and confusion, critical for guerrilla convoys with limited equipment and vulnerability to enemy interception. It ensures clear, efficient communication under stress.

Key Practices

• Use pre-assigned call signs (e.g., “Lead” for convoy commander, “Rear” for rear security) to identify vehicles or roles.
• Keep transmissions brief (e.g., 5-10 seconds) to reduce the chance of enemy radio direction-finding.
• Use coded phrases to obscure intent (e.g., “Alpha, line ahead” for a linear danger area, “Bravo, clear” for safe passage).
• Maintain silence unless critical, especially in high-threat areas, to avoid revealing position.
• Switch frequencies or use encrypted channels (if available) to counter eavesdropping.

Example: During a convoy movement, the lead vehicle spots a roadblock and transmits, “Lead to all, obstacle, halt” prompting vehicles to stop and await further instructions. The commander then signals, “Switch to Route B” using a pre-planned alternate route.

Non-Radio Signals

Non-radio signals, such as hand gestures, vehicle lights, or improvised methods, are used when radios are unavailable, compromised, or impractical (e.g., due to noise discipline or equipment failure).

They must be simple, visible, and intuitive for small, minimally trained teams.

Hand Signals

• “Linear danger area, flow through/bypass”: Open palm extended, sweeping side-to-side (as previously described).
• “Halt”: Raised fist, visible to trailing vehicles, signaling an immediate stop.
• “Move out”: Arm extended forward, waving in a forward motion to resume movement.

Light Signals

• Two short headlight flashes to signal “attention” or “check in” when vehicles are dispersed.
• One long taillight flash to indicate “slow down” during night operations.

Improvised Methods

• Waving a colored cloth (e.g., red for “danger,” green for “proceed”) from a vehicle window.
• Tapping the horn in a pattern (e.g., three short beeps for “regroup at rally point”).
• Placing a marker (e.g., a rock pile or cloth strip) on a trail to indicate a safe bypass route for following vehicles.

In a dense urban area, the lead vehicle uses a hand signal (raised fist) to halt the convoy when spotting a suspicious crowd, followed by a cloth wave (green) to signal a safe alternate alley.

Contingency Plans

A contingency plan is a pre-arranged course of action to address disruptions, such as communication failures, vehicle breakdowns, or enemy contact. It ensures the convoy can continue the mission or safely disengage, critical for small guerrilla teams with no external support.

Communication Failure

If radios fail, revert to hand signals or light signals. Pre-set a visual signal (e.g., two headlight flashes every 30 seconds) to confirm convoy cohesion. Rally at a designated point (e.g., a landmark 2 km back) if contact is lost.

Vehicle Breakdown

If a vehicle is disabled, the convoy forms a diamond formation for security (per the battle drill), transfers critical supplies, and abandons the vehicle with a marker (e.g., cloth strip) to avoid enemy use.

Ambush Response

If contact is made, the convoy scatters to pre-planned rally points (e.g., a hill 1 km away) using alternate routes, with each vehicle acknowledging dispersal via a horn beep or light flash.

Contingency plans account for the guerrilla convoy’s vulnerability to disruptions due to limited manpower and resources, ensuring rapid adaptation to maintain mission success or survival.

These communication and signal methods, combined with robust contingency plans, enable a small guerrilla convoy to operate effectively while minimizing detection and maintaining flexibility.