Thread: Pigeons considered for D-Day deception

Pigeons considered for D-Day deception - World News, Frontpage - Herald.ie

British Intelligence considered using carrier pigeons to help defeat the Germans in World War II.

The Secret Service planned to drop pigeons carrying misleading information behind enemy lines in France during the run-up to the D-Day landings.

False information about the location of the landings was to be strapped to the birds in the hope that the Germans would be duped into planning to fight the invaders in the wrong place.

Previously secret files released today under the Freedom of Information Act at the National Archives in Kew, south west London, detail the Secret Services plans for "using pigeons for deception purposes''.

The files reveal that the Allies had sent thousands of carrier pigeons into occupied France during the war, with each bird fitted with information to help the French Resistance.

But MI14 believe that the pigeons got into German hands and in 1943, they actively considered taking advantage of this by fitting pigeons with mis-information that would lead German Intelligence to believe that the D-Day landings would take place in Pas de Calais and not, as planned, further to the west in Normandy.

But the plan to use the pigeons was not carried through in the end.

Professor Christopher Andrew, Official Historian of the Security Service, said: "During the Second World War, falcons were trained to dispose of German pigeons as they went about their nefarious tasks, so the plan never actually came to pass.

Originally Posted by Kyt

Pigeons considered for D-Day deception - World News, Frontpage - Herald.ie

The Australian Army and the Americans used them !!!!!

Dickin Medal (The Victoria Cross for animals)

The Dickin Medal, a large bronze medallion, bears the words 'For Gallantry' and 'We Also Serve' -- all within a laurel wreath. The ribbon is striped green, dark brown and pale blue representing water, earth and air to symbolise the naval, military, civil defence and air forces.

The medal was instituted in 1943 by Mrs Maria Dickin, founder of the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals in England. It was awarded to any animal displaying conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty associated with, or under the control of, any branch of the Armed Forces or Civil Defence units during World War 2 and its aftermath.

At least two Australian carrier pigeons attached to the Australian Army have received the Dickin Medal:

Blue bar cock No. 139/D:43:T Detachment 10 Pigeon Section (Type B) attached to Detachment 55 Port Craft Company, Madang 12 July 1945. Awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry carrying a message through a severe tropical storm thereby bringing help to an Army boat with a vital cargo, in danger of foundering.

Blue chequer cock No. 879/D: 43: Q Loft No. 5 of 1 Australian Pigeon Section, attached to the US forces, Manus Island, Admiralty Islands 5th April 1944. Awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry carrying a message through heavy fire thereby bringing relief to a patrol surrounded and attacked by the enemy without other means of communication.

On a Wing and a Prayer