Saved by Pigeons

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13949, 30 July 1918, Page 3

Saved by Pigeons

DRAMATIC DISPATCHES BROUGHT BY NAVY’S MESSENGERS. A recognised place in our sea warfare is taken by the Naval Pigeon Service. The birds, which number several thousands, hav c repeatedly been the means of saving men s lives, and 95 per cent, of the messages carried by them hay e , been delivered. Many interesting stories of these pigeons are contained in Admiralty records. A French naval officer in a seaplane was driven down by a hostile aircraft, and had to seek the sea within range of the enemy coastal batteries. Shells were soon pitching all round him, and he realised that the end was near. He carried a pigeon, and sent back his last message: "They have got the range. All is over. Vive la France! ’ ’ 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 seaplanes, and these messages were recived at a seaplane station in Flanders: " (1) Short shot down ten miles N.N.E. Nicuport. One Hun down. My tanks shot. French T.B.D. on its way. Send fighters quick. ’ Then followed another pigeon with: "Mesage (3); Am shot down. Hit in tank radiator. Observer dead. Am 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 small craft at once, Land bus has just made one circuit, but I don’t think he saw me. My love to my mother. Tell her, lam not worrying. If machine sinks I 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. Ho fought his way homeward until he had crossed the coastline and fell dead within a few miles of home. The message was delivered, however, and the crew were saved.