War pigeon to be honored

[JoFerret]

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_28-3-2004_pgWar hero pigeon to be honoured
I always think that it's an interesting anomaly that Pakistan has such a lively press.

<<A Royal Air Force pigeon who delivered the first news of Allied success from the Normandy beaches on D-Day is to be recognised as the greatest pigeon to have served his country.

Gustav, a grizzle cock pigeon, known to the Air Ministry as codename NPS.42.31066, will be honoured ... During his mission, Gustav was reportedly buffeted by a headwind of up to 30 miles per hour and his view of the Sun - his primary means of navigation - was obscured by heavy cloud. Undaunted, the pigeon delivered his message over 150 miles in five hours and 16 minutes from Normandy to Thorney Island, near Portsmouth on England’s south coast.

The message read: “We are just 20 miles or so off the beaches. First assault troops landed 0750. Signal says no interference from enemy gunfire on beach ... Steaming steadily in formation. Lightnings, Typhoons, Fortresses crossing since 0545. No enemy aircraft seen.”

... Gustav found peacetime more perilous and met an end when his breeder stepped on him while mucking out his loft.

[Pert_UK]

1. War pigeon.....Love walrus.........what next?

I saw this story yesterday....Very amusing.

"I AM THE WAR PIGEON, TREMBLE BEFORE ME!"

:-)

P.

[JoFerret]

2. Amazing

that they had to rely on pigeons. At Bletchley Park - where they decoded Enigma - they shot all the birds of prey they could find within a wide radius. They needed to have their homing birds bring back the information from agents in the field The old world always sits side by side with the new.

[drhilarius]

3. possible kerry ad

Pic of pigeon.

"This pigeon saw more combat than gw.Kerry 2004"

[madmax]

5. LOL love it! n/t

[grannyb]

4. Getting an error code.

Tried this link and got an error code. Would love to read the whole story. Help!

[JoFerret]

7. link

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_28-3-2004_pg9_9

Here's the BBC:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/ww2/A2422630

[BiggJawn]

6. Oh....I thought they were giving Geraldo some award....

N/T

[theHandpuppet]

8. No doubt a ploy by Blair...

... to set a precedent for honoring HIS favorite bird, the American Yellow-Bellied Chickenhawk.