Report on the use of pigeons in Palestine, Syria, and Cyprus by the Middle Eastern Pigeon Service, 1943

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

WO169/16699  #8, #9

The first page is the December 1943 report for the Middle Eastern Pigeon Service’s operations in Syria, Palestine, and Cyprus.  268 operational messages were delivered.

The next page is Appendix A, the Cyprus Detachment Report for June-December 1943.  This report covers pigeons’ ship work and the use of pigeons by the RAF and the P.W.E.  Pigeons were used to maintain wirelss silence.  Action taken on a message delivered by one pigeon resulted in the capture of a Brigade Major along with the staff and transport.