32 pigeons were awarded the "Dickin Medal" during WW2. I guess they were really appreciated back then especially in Market Garden. The only thing I hear about them now is people calling them rats with wings.... sad really "Dirty little Nazi Pigeon this one ay"
There is a memorial stone at the harbour in Carnlough to a pigeon which was awarded the Dicken Medal. It is on my list of things to do to photograph the memorial for the ww2ni site. I have seen reference to it on the web - Worth checking.
In Fleming's Operation Sealion, he mentions the RAF dropping containers of homing pigeons into Occupioed France in the summer of 1940...in a desperate attempt to gain military intelligence, which at that time in the war was sadly lacking regarding arms dumps, fuel depots, military dispositions etc. in reparation for Sealion. The pigeons came with rudiemtary directions in French on what information the British wanted... Sadly what they got back was - lots of well wishes for the future in the face of imminent invasion from french citizens, and lots of comments about les salles boches...! - but bugger all in the shape of useable intel!
On the night of D-Day we slept in a ditch by Pegasus Bridge, as we settled down a gentle tapping turned out not to be a bomb but a cylinder containing a carrier pigeon which was eating its supper. One end of the cylinder had a hole in the centre. there was another a few inches down through which the pigeon could reach the food which was contained in the first gap. So which ever way it fell, the food was at the bottom in reach of the pigeon. I was most intrigued, what the OC did with it after I presented it to him I have no idea.
Bomber Command's heavy bombers carried a pigeon basket on ops, in case they wound up bobbing about in the North Sea.
There were 82 pigeons used by the 1st Airborne Airborne Division in the Battle of Arnhem. 14 returned to their loft from wich only 3 carried a message. The Germans had a Pigeon loft near the Hartenstein Hotel and it seems some german pigeons returned with messages when the Hotel was already the HQ of the 1st AB division. Ron
I`ve posted these on another thread in the past but I think it has more relevance here. [URL="http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/rr245/Verrieres/other/pigeon.jpg[/IMG"]http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/rr245/Verrieres/other/pigeon.jpg[/IMG[/URL]] [IMG][URL="http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/rr245/Verrieres/other/pigeon2.jpg[/IMG"]http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/rr245/Verrieres/other/pigeon2.jpg[/IMG[/URL]] [IMG]http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/rr245/Verrieres/other/HU035715.jpg
Bomber Command's heavy bombers carried a pigeon basket on ops, in case they wound up bobbing about in the North Sea. I just found this photograph from the book "Bomber Command" 1939-45 by Richard Overy. Regards Tom
There are numerous references to pigeons in Suffolk Home Forces Defence Schemes. An area I feel for some very original research! Dave
"Other activities during the weekend will be a display by the Vintage Military Amateur Radio Society of radio equipment spanning the last hundred years, showing how communication in the armed forces has changed over time and become ever more vital. While representing the animal kingdom, the Royal Pigeon Racing Association will demonstrate how the humble pigeon has played a major part in warfare over the ages. Northampton Specialist Club will also carry out a pigeon release (weather allowing), which is certainly a sight to behold." http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/ww2-museums-events-places-see/27010-armed-forces-weekend-bletchley-park-3-4-july-2010-a.html#post298589
Just checked and found that RJL has linked this on the Dickin Medal thread, but thought I'd add it here as well... BBC News - Wartime hero pigeon Paddy honoured with fly-past Wartime hero pigeon Paddy honoured with fly-past One of Northern Ireland's smallest World War II heroes has been honoured. Paddy, a messenger pigeon who served with the RAF during the Normandy operations in June 1944, was remembered in his home town of Larne on Friday. PDSA, Britain's biggest veterinary charity, awarded Paddy the Dickin Medal, dubbed the animals' "Victoria Cross", 65 years ago this month. He received it for being the first pigeon to reach England with a coded message from the battle-front beaches of D-Day. The brave bird brought back vital information about the Allies' progress, flying 230 miles in four hours 50 minutes - the fastest time of any of the messenger pigeons involved in the mission with an average speed of 56mph. PDSA spokesman James Puxty said: "Paddy's contribution to the D-Day operations was a credit to the thousands of messenger pigeons donated by the racing pigeon fraternity for service during World War II. "He was one of 32 brave, feathered heroes that received the PDSA Dickin Medal for their life-saving flights during the war, and the only recipient from Northern Ireland." Local hero Paddy was born and raised in Carnlough and joined thousands of other racing birds who were trained and drafted to RAF Hurn in Hampshire for military service. Impressing military brass with his flying in the Air-Sea rescue units he was seconded to the United States First Army for undercover missions during the Normandy Landings. In the face of poor weather conditions and the threat of German falcons, deployed to intercept Paddy and his comrades, he delivered his message to his home loft at RAF Hurn. After the war Paddy returned to Carnlough and lived out his days with his owner Captain Andrew Hughes, until his death in 1954. A memorial to the winged hero was erected in Carnlough harbour. A feathered fly-past of pigeons formed part of the Paddy Memorial Day event held at Larne Museum and Arts Centre. Larne Borough Council and the town's historical society were joined by guests from PDSA and the owner of Paddy's PDSA Dickin Medal, former Irish Army officer Kevin Spring. Younger guests were entertained by Gail Seekamp, the children's author, who read from her book "Paddy the Pigeon". The Dickin Medal was introduced in 1943 by Maria Dickin, PDSA's founder. She wanted to recognise the gallantry and devotion to duty of animals serving with the Armed Forces and Civil Defence units during WWII. Wartime winged messenger to be remembered - Belfast Metro, NIR Local News - Fwix Wartime winged messenger to be remembered Published Date: 23 September 2010 By Staff reporter THE exploits of Carnlough's most famous pigeon - Paddy, a WWII messenger pigeon decorated with the PDSA Dickin Medal - are to be remembered with a feathered fly-past this week to commemorate the bird's heroism on D-Day. PDSA, Britain's leading veterinary charity, awarded the medal - the animal's equivalent to the Victoria Cross - to Paddy on September 1, 1945 in recognition of his outstanding devotion to duty whilst serving with the RAF during the Normandy Operations in June 1944. Paddy was the first bird to reach England with a coded message from the beaches. He not only delivered invaluable news of the Allied position, but he did so in record time, covering 230 miles in 50 minutes – the fastest time of any of the winged messengers deployed during the mission. "Paddy's contribution to the D-Day operations was a credit to the thousands of messenger pigeons donated by the racing pigeon fraternity for service during World War Two," said PDSA spokesman, James Puxty. DON'T MISS THE FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S LARNE TIMES Wartime winged messenger to be remembered - Belfast Metro, NIR Local News - Fwix Pigeons released to mark Paddy's wartime bravery The Dickin medal awarded to Paddy, Carnlough's most famous pigeon, was proudly on show at the re-launch of a children's book which aims to keep the remarkable story of the feathered hero alive. Now in the ownership of Dubliner Kevin Spring, the medal was handed round those gathered in Larne Museum and Arts Centre for the re-launch of Paddy the Pigeon, written by Gail Seekamp. Known as the animal's Victoria Cross, the medal was awaded to Paddy in commemoration of his heroism on D-Day.
See here (about half-way down) for photos of the memorial along with more info about Paddy. Pigeons in Combat http://pigeonsincombat.com/paddy-the-pigeon-sung-by-john-ritchie-190909.mp3
Thanks to Drew's post here , I found this: WO 900/51 Scope and content: … participation in carrier pigeon service from occupied territory and rendering of help to British escapers and evaders 1939-1945 Covering dates: Undated A search in WO series for "carrier pigeon" produced the list below, (although there are more hits in the series for the word "pigeon") WW1 WO 106/6392 Instructions on the use of carrier pigeons in war 1917 May 01 - 1917 May 31 WO 106/6393 Notes on the use of carrier pigeons in France (revised edition) 1917 Aug 01 - 1917 Aug 31 WO 95/123 Carrier Pigeon Service Messenger Dog Service 1915 July - 1919 Feb. WW2 WO 106/5545 Army Carrier Pigeon service: report and photographs 1939 July WO 208/1338 Signals; carrier pigeons 1941 Mar.-1944 Dec. WO 169/16700 Carrier Pigeon Sec. 1944 Jan.- Dec. WO 169/22562 Miscellaneous: Paiforce Carrier Pigeon Service 1945 Jan.- Sept. WO 199/1952 Transport: Carrier Pigeon service 1939 Nov.- 1942 June WO 199/2674 Carrier pigeon services 1943 Oct.- 1945 July WO 169/11223 9 H.Q. Sec. Carrier Pigeon Service 1943 Jan.- Mar. WO 170/5603 9 Carrier Pigeon Service 1945 Jan.-Oct. WO 169/11224 15 H.Q. Sec. Carrier Pigeon Service 1943 Jan.- Apr. WO 166/12456 17 H.Q. Carrier Pigeon Sec. 1943 July-Oct. WO 170/2106 Miscellaneous: 21 Carrier Pigeon Sec. 1944 Feb.- Dec. WO 170/5604 21 Carrier Pigeon Service 1945 Jan.-Sept. WO 205/224 Instructions on carrier pigeons: reports 1944 Jan.-1945 Mar. WO 219/4480 Employment and disposal of carrier pigeons 1943 Nov - 1944 Nov WO 219/454 Disposal of carrier pigeons 1944 Jan.-Dec. WO 219/1621 Reports on use of carrier pigeons by the enemy: directives and notes 1944 Nov.- 1945 Apr WO 219/4088 Disposal of captured German carrier pigeons 1945 May, June
