Saved by Pigeons

Levin Daily Chronicle, 6 August 1918, Page 1

Saved by Pigeons

.— — ...... DRAMATIC DISPATCHES BltOtfCtHT BY NAVY'S ■ MBSSEIifGEBS? A recognised place in pur sea warfare is taken by tho Naval Pigetirt Service. The birds, which number several thousands, hav e repeatedly beon the means of saying men's iliyesj and 95 per cent, of the messages .carried by them hav c been delivered. Many interesting stories of these pigeons are contained in Admiralty records. A Trench naval officer in a .seaplanp 'was driven down by a hostile "aircraft, and had to seek the sea' within range of tho enemy, coastal '.batteries. S.hcllf?' were soon pitching all round h,ini, and , lie realised 'that the end was near. : ifc " carried a pigeon, and sent back his last message: '' They liavo got the range. All is over. Vive la Franco!": Here is an instance of the way in which pigeons bring back news as to the progress of an engagement. An air patrol fell in with some German spa-" planes, and these messages were recived at a soaplanc station in Flanders: " (1) Short shot down ten miles N.N.E. Nieuport. One Huh down." My tanks shot. French T.B.D. on its way. Selid i fighters quick.' Then followed another pigeon with: "Mosago (3); Am shot-down.' Hrt'in'l tank radiator. Observer ' dead; Am J unhurt. Please send small'craft. "Message (3); Am shot down. Hit in | to port. Have jettisoned . everything. Am on wing tip.. Sea calm. Machine has seemingly steadied. Nothing , in sight. I think machine will float a" long time. Send Bmall craft at onco, Land bus has just made one circuit, but I don't think he saw mo. My love to my mother. Tell her, lam not worrying. If \l' ..will swim to a buoy close by.'' The crew of a flying boat finding themselves in difficulties at sea dispatched a pigeon. The weather was bad there was a strong head-wind, against which the bird had to battle. He i fought his way homeward until he had crossed tho coastline and fell dead within a few miles of home. < Tho message: was delivered, however, and the crew were saved.