R.A.F. PIGEONS
TO BE CONSCRIPTED. LONDON, December 17. Pigeons are to play an important part in the defence of Britain. Many thousands are to be conscripted. They will be used in all parts of the country to maintain a vital link between air bases, the fighting forces and the Home Command in the event of ’an emergency. The scheme of training pigeons is being carried out by the R.A.F.. and breeders all over Britain may soon receive instructions to train as many birds as are available in message carrying. It is estimated that more than 100,000 pigeons wil be called upon to “join up.” Some will be bred from strains which won V.C.'s in the Great War — birds which flew across the Channel with vital messages when wounded. “An extensive register has been made,” an. official of the Air Ministry said this week. “During the recent crisis breeders everywhere offered the services of their prize pigeons. There are tens of thousands which we may call upon." Special gas masks may be made for these R.A.F. pigeons.
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Greymouth Evening Star, 21 January 1939, Page 8
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176R.A.F. PIGEONS Greymouth Evening Star, 21 January 1939, Page 8
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