National Pigeon Service

Message 2 - Wartime pigeons

Posted on: 23 November 2003 by Freddy Dyke

Hello Barrieboy,
Thank you for your interest in my posting of the National Pigeon Service
and wartime pigeons,but I think you are a little confused in the understanding of the way our birds were used.Firstly the pigeons did not find lost persons or planes,they were taken aboard our planes[ 2 pigeons in each of our Bombers]or 2 birds accompanying our agents dropped by Parachute in occupied Europe.These birds were released if the radios in the aircraft was unusable from damage or water problems after crashing, thus returning to their home loft in this country, giving the location of the plane so that rescue could be attempted where possible.IN the case of our agents in France, Holland or Belgium the birds were released with their message containers giving us much needed 'INFO' about the German Troops and their movements plus very vital news of most of the secret weapons that the 'Jerries' were planning to use against our country.
Our birds were trained to home to many fanciers and service lofts in the course of the sport of Pigeon racing,but due to the value placed on their abillity and reliabillity to return from great distances [subject to the weather]the Air Ministry and War Ministry made use of our 'Winged Messengers'by the Armed Forces which proved so valuable in helping to defeat the forces of Germany and Japan. The birds are normally trained
in the early months of their birth and continue a racing career for 6-7
years.Many fanciers who in civilian life find a very great deal of enjoyment in the weekly races from April-Sept in their local clubs and look upon this sport as a great relaxation in social and family life.
I trust this posting will help you to understand just how valuable the humble pigeon can be in times of war.
All for now, Freddy Dyke.

Message 2 - White Vision

Posted on: 24 November 2003 by Freddy Dyke

Hello Paul Gill,
Thanks for your message re'White Vision' and I would like to answer your questions

Message 3 - White Vision

Posted on: 24 November 2003 by Freddy Dyke

Hello Paul again sory about the other posting just a slip of the finger.
Answer to your questions, yes I served
with the Special Section APS attached to the Roal Signals and the RAF Pigeon
Service.Secondly the aircrews were not
given specific instructions regarding the release of their birds but would depend on the circumstances at the time,and their choice would final in the success of the birds reaching its
home loft.They were told about feeding
and watering but the 2 birds were not just on board Coastal Command planes but the same applied to Bomber Command as they also carried 2 birds.
I will now give you another VC winner in the name of 'Winkie'who was aboard a 'Beaufort' bomber that had carried out a raid on the Norwegian coast and
had to ditch 129 miles from base.Now the plane broke up on impact with the sea and the pigeon escaped from its container but had no message attached to her leg.The plane was 120mls from the nearest land and there was only 1.1/2hours of daylight left.The pigeon
homed soon after dawn the next morning
wet and exhausted,the search for the crew was on a poor radio fix and was unsuccessful.Sgt Davidson RAF pigeon service deduced from the birds condition and other circumstances that
the search area was incorrect.The search was re-directed as he advised and the crew were rescued after15 mins
The rescued crew gave a dinner in London in honour of the bird they christened 'Winkie'and her trainer.
Another life saving effort by our birds.Here is just one more of the 32
VCs that were awarded to the humble pigeon,this one is 'Cologne'a Red cock
that homed from a crashed aircraft after a raid on the 'Jerry'town but was seriously wounded and struggled home in spite of his wounds,what more
could be expected from 16 ozs of bone
and feather. Well there you have just a small part of the couragous deeds
played by Pigeon service under many
difficulties that sometimes we humans
would say enough.I hope that in the publication of my book many members of
'Joe' public will realise the value that was played by the pigeons and their handlers in the time of our countries greatest danger.
All for now Freddy Dyke.

Message 4 - White Vision

Posted on: 27 November 2003 by paul gill - WW2 Site Helper

Just to say I've now read all your contributions and it's an area which I knew nothing about.
I assume your interest in pigeons long preceded your RAF work.
Obviously you know far more about this than I ever will, but I read a lot about B.F. Skinner who seemed to have dedicated his life to motivating feathered friends. It seems their eyesight and willingness to work greatly exceeds human capabilities
I saw what I think was an Horizon program saying they performed extremely well in German trials to detect mis-shapen drug capsules, a potential killer. However they couldn't be used because if any mistake was made courts would want a human to be responsible. Strange logic!

Hope the book goes well and thanks once again.

Best wishes

paul

Message 5 - White Vision

Posted on: 07 December 2003 by Freddy Dyke

HELLO again Paul,
I am pleased you were able to read my other contributions Re the Pigeon Service as it was a wartime service that was kept rather secret, as the work also involved the SOE activity on
the Continent and needed to be kept that way for security reasons.
When the 'Animals in War Memorial' is
completed in London next year we hope that the unveiling will be performed by a member of the Royal Family as the Royal lofts at Sandringham had birds on active service along with our
own and had noteable achievements under fire.
Thanks for your interest Paul.
All for now, Kindest Regards
FREDDY DYKE.

Message 6 - White Vision

Posted on: 07 December 2003 by paul gill - WW2 Site Helper

I'm sure you've seen this and the reference to the Dickin medal but if you haven't ...

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/dorset/3298317.stm^{About links}

The interesting bit to me, as you referred to, is that more than half were pigeons.

One other point. I heard a story some years ago about a dog that received a medal when it was returned to its owners at the end of the war. I think it had been rounding up paratroops. Unfortunately when they asked for details they were told it was secret and the dog never said a word! I can't help feeling this is one of the last stories to come put from WW2. I look forward to the events next year,

paul

Message 7 - White Vision

Posted on: 12 December 2003 by Freddy Dyke

Hello again Paul,
I had not seen the reference you referred to in your reply, but I can give you a little more 'INFO'on the 'BUSTER'medal award which is rather suprising as this episode is quite local to me.The soldier who handled 'Buster'is a local lad and was educated in Bedworth at Nicholas
Chamberlain school before he joined the Army.This area is part of the
Nuneaton and Bedworth BORO Council,so
you see it does have some added interest for me.The dog according to the local news was an inmate of the Dogs home in Dorset/Hampshire before his service record,which I can only say 'Well Done'and another medal won in the true spirit of 'BRIT' Wartime
effort.I don't know about the dog you referred to about rounding up 'Paras'
but a lot of funny things happened during the war so maybe this was quite
Secret and the dog was told not to divulge information.Well educated dog.
All for now.
Regards, Freddy Dyke.