(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.
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.
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.
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