1944 Report on pigeons

Pigeon in Rome by D. Truong

(c) Crown copyright images reproduced by courtesy of The National Archives, London, UK

Catalog numbers HS6/709 #88, #89, #90, #91, #92, #93, #94, #95

Documents exceed the frame for ease of reading.  YOu may need to scroll left-right.

 

Operation Gibbon pigeon messages August 1943

 

(c) Crown copyright images reproduced by courtesy of The National Archives, London, UK

Catalog numbers HS6/92 #01, 37, 48, 49

Operation Gibbon was a Special Operations Executive (SOE) operation to set up a pigeon service in Belgium.  The Germans had killed or confiscated the Belgians’ pigeons.  In The Animals’ VC, David Long writes, “Operation Gibbon in 1942 was typical of the kind of work many pigeons undertook, a flight over Belgium on the behalf of the Political War Executive to establish and organise a secret new carrier pigeon communications network in that country.”  His book is fantastic.  Below are 3 of the messages delivered by a pigeons who participated in Operation Gibbon. The translations by P. Franckel follow.

  Message from Duval, by Carol 25.8.43
1) Received successfully messages of April May June but July hasn't arrived.
2) 250k money received.
3) June pigeons K.O.  Send TJS 4 please. 2 will be dropped at once, 2 another 10 days later.
4) Prayer Goldstein to write under a pseudonym the review message.
5) J. de Landseer asks for funds for support of Patriot families arrested or hidden.
6) This month 5000 leaflets and 3500 monitors printed and distributed.
7) Last film presented 12+ times continues a great success!
8) H still in contact with me and very active - I must put the brakes on for safety!

9) Confirm reception of this message, announce on the BBC with first name  R at the beginning. Roger Ros.

10) Funds necessary for my service - printing leaflets, documents and for my men.

11) Please send photographic equipment - very important.

12) Change message Big Dipper through the tile slipped from the roof but keep code for Duval.

Document title Herr Schultz the obermeister of the Dectape was killed at Turbise Stop.

He was on the possession list of sought-after Belgians.

A stretch of the canal near Chebecca was spanned, a result from the metallurgy factory buildings.

The maltings opposite  Beulers station was burnt. At the Nivelles airfield ... many aeroplane engines, no flak Stop.

The Gestapo have requisitioned all the lorries from the chicory factory Capon for the repaired radio service .

 
The Gestapo agent has declared confidentially that Sec. Gen. DEY? INTER is convinced that spying and clandestine broadcasting will have revealed his code.
He will be set free on condition that he confirms this and gives details to the courier.
Duval insists on 4 pigeons for his patch. Warning by signal MENAGU (message) we will send the requested gift.

1945 Report on WWII pigeons

 

(c) Crown copyright images reproduced by courtesy of The National Archives, London, UK

Catalog numbers HS8/854 #01, #03, #04, #06, #07, #08, #09, #10, #11, AIR2/4129 #73

The report concludes that pigeons were used successfully by the Allies and by the Germans to gather intelligence.  A note follows the report which adds that the Belgian, Dutch, and French Country Sections of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) used pigeons to communicate that their agents had arrived safely.

Next is the note about SOE and pigeons.

World War II-Operation Gibbon-secret pigeon service in Belgium

 

(c) Crown copyright images reproduced by courtesy of The National Archives, London, UK

Catalog numbers HS6/92 #01, #38

Operation Gibbon was a Special Operations Executive (SOE) operation to set up a pigeon service in Belgium.  The Germans had killed or confiscated the Belgians’ pigeons.  In The Animals’ VC, David Long writes, “Operation Gibbon in 1942 was typical of the kind of work many pigeons undertook, a flight over Belgium on the behalf of the Political War Executive to establish and organise a secret new carrier pigeon communications network in that country.”  Below is one of the messages delivered by a pigeon.  The translation by P. Franckel follows.

Pigeon message arrived 4.11.43 from Carol.
1) Your message hardly readable STOP Well received - transmitting.
2) Place on each pigeon 2 containers without an internal pivot.
3) The next written message confirms your wishes.
4) Send 3 pistols of small calibre and ammunition.
5) Send maximum package but also explosives, weapons and bicycle tires STOP Our friends will reclaim them.
6) Films have a huge effect on morale and circulate well - send more.
7) Note that if the principal landing is impractical the men will be at the southern point of the Ronge woods, or 1000 meters to the east of the Chapel de Belle. STOP.  See Cartereux Carre de Manage.  (this could be an address)
8) Contact the saboteurs via Jules College Omatrea Waterloo STOP
 Password " I would like to eat drink and smoke" STOP
 Send material and instructions announcing "sent by radio, by Christiane - "here are the roses that I described"."
The eventual message placement will be to the east of the king's house to the south of the Waterloo lion.”

1945 Report on WWII pigeons

 

(c) Crown copyright images reproduced by courtesy of The National Archives, London, UK

Catalog numbers HS8/854 #01, #03, #04, #06, #07, #08, #09, #10, #11

The report concludes that pigeons were used successfully by the Allies and by the Germans to gather intelligence.  A note follows the report which adds that the Belgian, Dutch, and French Country Sections of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) used pigeons to communicate that their agents had arrived safely.

Next is the note about SOE and pigeons.

World War II pigeon operations in Holland May-August 1944

Pigeon in Rome by D. Truong

(c) Crown copyright images reproduced by courtesy of The National Archives, London, UK

AIR2/4129 #58, #59, #66

The list of operations after the letter shows that 3 pigeons each brought 8 pages of writing.  One pigeon brought 38 microprints.  The third document is a chance to take a moment and remember the Red C.C. 242 pigeons who flew 3 missions.