Wartime Wings: Honouring the Pigeons of WW11

When the country awakens on the morning of Thursday 8th May, it will mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two in Europe. The guns finally fell silent after many years of carnage and conflict. It was a time for the whole nation to celebrate and look forward to a more peaceful future.
Homing pigeons played an important part in the war effort due to their speed and
reliability. Used as messengers, they carried tiny leg canisters - and even
unmanned cameras - to troops behind enemy lines. After delivering their messages, they would return to their coop, setting off a wire with a buzzer or bell to
alert soldiers of their safe return.

Their missions were extremely dangerous, as enemy forces often tried to shoot them down, knowing the vital information they carried.
During the Second World War, the UK used around 250,000 pigeons. Thirty-two of these remarkable birds were awarded the Dickin Medal - the highest honour for animal bravery - an extraordinary achievement.

The UK maintained an Air Ministry pigeon section throughout the war and for a short time afterwards. In 1948, however, the military declared that pigeons were no longer needed, and the section was disbanded. Nevertheless, MI5 continued to view carrier pigeons as a potential threat from enemy forces, and up until 1950, arranged for a private fancier to keep 100 pigeons as a precaution.
Support your pigeons today with Haith's pigeon & poultry food selection
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Red Band® Pigeon Conditioner for pigeons
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Quail Mixture
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Garden Pheasant Food for domestic birds
Vendor:HAITH'S to HOME5.0 / 5.0
(4) 4 total reviews
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Duck & Goose Mixture for domestic birds
Vendor:HAITH'S to HOME5.0 / 5.0
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On Thursday 8th May, we can all take a moment to raise a glass in honour of the immense sacrifices made both at home and abroad- by people and animals alike.