A USEFUL PASSPORT.

Western Star, 21 March 1922, Page 3

A USEFUL PASSPORT.

A great story has just been told of pigeons in the war. At a certain stage of hostilities it became urgent for us to get a dozen spies into Germany in the greatest possible haste. The only feasible way was to send Dutchmen loyal to our cause,, but only one passport ■was available. Still, 12 men went with it. Twelve fearless Dutchmen, bearing a general resemblance to one another, were chosen. The first of the *batcli went with the passport, and got through. Once clear of observation, he drew' a pigeon from a secret pocket, tied the passport to its leg, and, presto! in an incredibly short time the bird. and its burden were over the frontier and back at the base.

In this way one passport was iised to get all our 12 through. Each did his allotted task, and came back to honour and reward.

The heroes of this splendid feat wore pigeons from an English loft, trained by skill and' kindbioss- to - fly over the flame and thunder of guns below them, beneath the roar and crackle of fighting aeroplanes above them, back to a little bedroom upstairs in some far-away loft, wliei'e they knew they would always find food and friendship awaiting them.