A ROYAL Air Force pigeon which 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 its country, The Times said today.
Gustav, a grizzle **** pigeon, known to the Air Ministry as codename NPS.42.31066, will be honoured in a special London exhibition at the Imperial War Museum’s 60th anniversary show.
During his mission, Gustav was reportedly buffeted by a headwind of up to 48km/h and his view of the Sun – his primary means of navigation – was obscured by heavy cloud.
Undaunted, the pigeon delivered his message over 240 km 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’s feat earned him the ****in Medal, the animal equivalent of Britain’s highest military honour, the Victoria Cross.
Despite dodging gunfire and foul weather during the war, Gustav found peacetime more perilous and met an end when his breeder stepped on him while mucking out his loft.
By: steve rowell - 29th March 2004 at 02:29
Originally posted by atc pal
As an “alien” I’m intrigued by the “4 stars” –is it a very secret pigeon
or a “four letter” pigeon?
Best regards
It starts with c and ends with k and rhymes with sock
By: Flood - 28th March 2004 at 22:48
Originally posted by atc pal
As an “alien”…
Yeah? Where you from, then?
I’d imagine the **** is actually covering up for the fact that this is an ex pigeon, it has ceased to be…;) (Cue loads of Pythonisms!)
Flood.
By: atc pal - 28th March 2004 at 20:04
As an “alien” I’m intrigued by the “4 stars” –
is it a very secret pigeon
or a “four letter” pigeon?
Best regards
By: Flood - 28th March 2004 at 16:50
How come they only used pigeons…Never, for example, ducks.
Want a homing duck to send your message?;)
Flood.
By: Last Lightning - 28th March 2004 at 10:38
Rest In Pie:cool:
By: Hand87_5 - 28th March 2004 at 10:33
Rest In Pigeon !!!!
By: Last Lightning - 28th March 2004 at 10:31
Will gustav be their in pigeon or is it postumous:cool:
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March 28, 2004 at 5:40 am