SAVED BY BIRD.

Shannon News, 11 October 1929, Page 2

SAVED BY BIRD.

M.C.C. CAPTAIN’S WAR EPIC.

(“Sun” Special.)

LONDON, Friday. A casual reference, by A. B. Gilligan, at a luncheon in honour of the MS.C.C. team which he will lead in Australia and New Zealand, to his wartime flying experience has led to the disclosure by the “Daily News” of a rescue that is described as the most thrilling epic of the Great War. The airmen Concerned owed their lives to a carrier-pigeon, whose feat was one of those near-miracles that have earned warm tributes to the wonderful birds.

Gilligan, who had joined up with the naval air service, was the first pilot to fly over the German fleet. While following up a Zeppelin, his ’plane was bit and forced down in the sea.

The airmen swam for 20 minutes before the arrival of a companion ’plane, which was unable to take off owing to the extra load. In trying to rise, it broke a wing.

Gilligan and his companion then drifted at the mercy of the elements for three days and three nights.. Finally, they were saved dramatically by a carrier pigeon. Pour pigeons carried in the ’plane were sent off. Three were lost and the fourth dropped dead as it deliveied a message at the feet on a Yarmouth ccastguarasman. The airmen were then rescued by a war vessel