Signal companies and line construction companies were established as signal units for the Winter War's corps and division command levels, as well as for the General Headquarters.
The task of a division’s signal company was to set up signal stations at command posts and organize their communication services. The company included a station section, three construction platoons, a listening platoon, and a storage and replenishment platoon.
The line construction company consisted of three line construction platoons. Its task was to build the connections between telephone exchanges.
The signal units of the General Headquarters and corps were somewhat better motorized than the division-level companies.
Infantry regiments included a signal section, and infantry battalions had a signal platoon.
Field artillery batteries included a signal and survey section. The Cavalry Brigade had a signal squadron.
Approximately 2.9% of the total field army strength served in signal duties.
Line construction company in action.
The personnel strength of the signal troops soon proved too small for the tasks at hand. Therefore, already during the mobilization phase, an order was given to form signal battalions of about 450 men from signal and line construction companies at the division and corps level. The new structure was adopted gradually, but by the end of the Winter War, the reorganization was still only partially completed.
Some of the newly formed battalions remained understrength. In addition to enlisted men and NCOs, there was also an insufficient number of signal-trained officers for the new organization. Initially, the signal commanders of division staffs typically served as commanders of the signal battalions alongside their regular duties. Officers trained in other branches had to be assigned to many tasks.
In addition to men, nearly 2,000 women from the Lotta Svärd organization were assigned to various signal duties during the Winter War.
Signal Lotta on the phone.