The value of pigeon-post as accessory to wireless in war: Testing a private fancier's carrier-pigeons

"During the last war carrier-pigeons were largely used to bring back messages from advanced positions, and their value was widely appreciated, but with the development of wireless telephony their use came to be regarded as no longer essential. But the present has necessitated a change in outlook in many matters and once again the carrier-pigeon has come into its own. It has been restored to the nation's war economy by the official adoption of a network of services to existing military signal communications. Recognised as rapid and reliable, the carrier-pigeon takes its place as an additional means of sending vital messages when a breakdown in wireless telephony or telegraph is likely, or in the case where it is impossible to use despatch riders, say, in a tight position where a sector might be cut off from any means of communication. In such circumstances the aid of the winged messenger would be invaluable. As a result, birds are now being trained under the direction of the Corps of Signals. The carrier-pigeon clubs up and down the country are utilised, and our artist, Captain de Grineau, in the series of sketches above, gives a comprehensive story of the organisation now in progress, in which the humble civilian pigeon-fancier and his hobby play a leading part. Our artist shows the despatch of birds to a post, their release, the cottager's home invaded by the military while he has his tea, receiving urgent messages from the birds as they reach their loft, and the message rushed by despatch rider to G.H.Q. The owner is paid two pence for each flight by the Government and he can obtain the necessary pigeon-food. Carrier-pigeons are taken on Coastal Command aeroplanes, with lurking peril from U-boats fast surface raiders, and long-distance bombers."