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| Monday, 29 March 2004 |
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War hero pigeon to be honoured LONDON, Sunday (AFP) A Royal Air Force pigeon who delivered the first news of Allied success from the Normandy beaches on D-Day is to be recognised as the greatest pigeon to have served his country, The Times said Saturday. Gustav, a grizzle cock pigeon, known to the Air Ministry as codename NPS.42.31066, will be honoured in a special London exhibition at the Imperial War Museum's 60th anniversary show. During his mission, Gustav was reportedly buffeted by a headwind of up to 30 miles per hour (48 kilometres per hour) and his view of the Sun -- his primary means of navigation -- was obscured by heavy cloud. Undaunted, the pigeon delivered his message over 150 miles in five hours and 16 minutes from Normandy to Thorney Island, near Portsmouth on England's south coast. The message 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. Lightnings, Typhoons, Fortresses crossing since 0545. No enemy aircraft seen." Gustav's feat earned him the Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of Britain's highest military honour, the Victoria Cross. Despite dodging gunfire and foul weather during the war, Gustav found peacetime more perilous and met an end when his breeder stepped on him while mucking out his loft. |
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