A Critical Tool for U.S. Army Airborne Soldiers During World War II: Communication in Warfare Transcended Words Signals evolved beyond spoken language, becoming a matter of life and death. Among the myriad of innovations during this time, one particular device gained a unique reputation for its simplicity and effectiveness: the clicker. Commonly used by U.S. Army airborne soldiers during night operations, clickers were not just noise-makers; they were essential tools that ensured the safety and coordination of troops in some of the war’s most chaotic environments.

Origins and Development

The clicker, formally known as the ‘cricket’, was developed to counteract the challenges of operating in low-visibility conditions, particularly during airborne drops behind enemy lines. The idea was s

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