Even though
field telephones were widely used for the first time during
World War I (1914–18), they relied on copper wire
lines, which were often damaged or unreliable, or simply unavailable as troops advanced. Radio technology existed, but was generally regarded as too
insecure for frontline use. Most armies still made extensive use of runners throughout the war. Runners were lightly equipped with only a
sidearm,
canteen and a light pack. On
battlefields dominated by
automatic weapons and
trench warfare, as well as the first widespread use of
artillery and air attacks, runners faced one of the most dangerous jobs as they had to leave the relative safety of a shelter, and carry messages to other positions. For the same reasons, officers could not be sure that their message had been delivered until a runner returned to their unit. Runners were frequently decorated for bravery.
Adolf Hitler, who was a runner in the
Bavarian Army during World War I, was wounded twice and received both the
Iron Cross first class and second class during the war. == References ==