CARRIER PIGEONS

Evening Star, Issue 23324, 21 July 1939, Page 2

CARRIER PIGEONS

FOR ROYAL AIR FORGE PLANES

Pigeons and pigeon fanciers are to be brought into national service under a scheme announced.by the Air Ministry, ea.ys the ‘ Manchester Guardian.’ The Ministry has established a national pigeon service to assist the defence'services to make full use of the homing pigeon as a means of communication in peace and war. A committee has been appointed by the Secretary of State for Air, Sir Kingsley Wood, in consultation with the ° representatives of the various pigeon fanciers’ organisations, to manage the new service under the general direction of the Air Ministry. Membership is open to fanciers who breed and train homing pigeons and maintain lofts of at least 20 pigeons of approved quality. A register is being prepared of members who will supervise the organisation of pigeon lofts which will he required to work with the Royal Air Force in peace time. From this register one of the first needs of the 4 service will be met—that is. the equipment of reconnaissance aircraft with pigeons as an additional safety measure

for use when wireless communication breaks down. > ' , Pigeons for this special service: will be drawn from the lofts of member* living in the neighbourhood of certain Royal Air Force stations. , A grant of £5 a year will be paid to cover the use of 10 birds at .any one time. There will also be a grant to cover 'the use of a telephone. . ' Members in other parts of the country will be asked to supply birds for the Air Force service both in peace time and in an emergency. ‘