“Schools Name”
History
Pigeons Loft Project
History and Homing Pigeons
Why are homing pigeons related to History?
How important was Homing pigeons in the
2nd World War and what was their role?
What was the Dickin Medal?
Homing Pigeons and War
Ok so I know what you are thinking what does the homing pigeon have
to do with war?
Keep these images in mind as you can find the answers in the fill you are
about to watch.
Pigeons During the war
You all now have a sheet with some questions
on.
As you watch the video answer as many
questions as a group as you can by using the
information off the film
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZfjbfe5SXM
So what did you come
up with
Pigeons were used in the RAF to send
messages back to base to report
where shot down aircraft were
positioned
They was also used by solders to
report back to base from behind
enemy lines
Messages were sent by
attaching a note onto the
pigeons leg.
Mobile pigeon lofts was a regular
site on military bases to house the
pigeons until they was needed in
action
Pigeons were parachuted to the
soldiers / spies behind enemy lines to
keep the communication lines open
Both sides took capturing enemy
homing pigeons seriously as they
would try and intercept and decode
messages form the enemy
Here is an actual message
that was sent back from the
front line on D Day!
Your Task
Ok you are a commander back at
base and you have just received a
message from the front line can you
conclude what the message says and
what you would do with the
information!
You only have 10 minutes
as you must be quick as it
could be a matter of life
or death!
The Story Behind the
message and the pigeon
Gustav
His name might sound suspiciously foreign, but he was as English as
they come. Released from a ship close to the coast of Normandy as
the D-Day landings began, he faced a headwind of 30mph and the
sun was hidden behind dense cloud. Yet he still managed the 150mile trip to a pigeon loft in Thorney Island, near Portsmouth, after a
flight lasting 5 hours and 16 minutes.
His handler, Sgt Harry Halsey, took the message strapped to Gustav's
leg that 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. Lightning's,
Typhoons, Fortresses crossing since 0545.
No enemy aircraft seen."
Liberated 8:30 - France
Arrived home 13:46 - Portsmouth
(The message was used to track the progress of the allied troops on the
beaches of Normandy during the D Day landings. This helped the British
Army Liberate the French people from German occupation)
Dickin Medal
Now it’s time for you to do the research!
What is the Dickin Medal awarded for?
You have 10 minutes to research and give examples of
when and what the Dickin Medal was awarded for
Good Luck
Dickin Medal
So What did you find?
Dickin Medal was first
awarded in 1943 in the UK to
honour the bravery of animals
in war
62
Animals have been awarded
the Medal of which
32
are Homing Pigeons
It is made of bronze bearing the words
"For Gallantry, We Also Serve"
The award is commonly
referred to as
“The animals‘ Victoria Cross”
So the role of the Homing Pigeons in
the war and how it all worked
Released
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxvEmmKrKig
Start - 29 sec
Finish – 4min 25 sec
So will it work?
Hands up for YES
Number of students:____________
Hands up for NO
Number of students:______________
Let’s see what happens
Arriving home
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxvEmmKrKig
Start -7min 32 sec
Finish – 8:52 seconds
So what did you learn?
Why are homing pigeons related to History?
How important was Homing pigeons in the
2nd World War and what was there role?
What was the Dickin Medal?