The homing pigeon was one of the unsung heroes of World War II. Up to the summer of 1943 the Royal Canadian Air Force credited 14% of its location and rescue successes to these birds.
THERE ARE TO BE PIGEON lofts at all R.C.A.F. bomber reconnaissance stations on both coasts.
PIGEON DEIPPE HERO
INTO THE BAG goes the pigeon before it is thrown overboard. This keeps it from being drawn into the plane's slip stream. The bird soon finds its way out of the paper bag and heads for the home loft.
PIGEONS BRING HOME WORD if radios go dead in R.C.A.F. planes.
Pigeon Brought Invasion Convoy Data - Canucks Sped Electrifying News To Leaders.
Mobile Pigeon Loft
Two of England's enthusiastic girl guides, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Rose with Major Crispin
Following Photos from the Collection of Dan & Pat Humphries - War Pigeon Exhibition
Above Pigeon has Capsule for Messages attached to leg.
Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae died of pneumonia at Wimereux near Boulogne, France on the 28th of January 1918 when he was 44 years old.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
John McCrae