What method did the Navajo Code Talkers use to communicate battle strategies?

The Navajo Code Talkers communicated battle strategies by developing a code that utilized Navajo words for military terms. This method was highly effective because it took advantage of the complex linguistic structure of the Navajo language, which was not widely known or understood outside of Native American circles.

By creating a system where specific Navajo words corresponded to military concepts, operations, and equipment, they could transmit messages quickly and efficiently without the risk of interception. For example, they might use the Navajo word for "tortoise" to represent a tank, tapping into familiar imagery for those who spoke the language. This innovative code proved invaluable during World War II, allowing for secure and rapid communication amidst the chaos of battle.

The other methods listed, such as encrypted radio messages, smoke signals, and hand signals, lack the unique cultural and linguistic aspects that made the Navajo code so secure and effective. While encrypted messages were used generally in military communications, the specific contribution of the Code Talkers was their distinct linguistic code based on Navajo, which was not a traditional method of coded communication but rather an original adaptation of their language.