Commando (pigeon)
Commando was a
Early life
Commando, a red chequer bird, was bred in
Military career
Pigeons were used where radio communications had become highly dangerous.[2] A small canister was attached to the pigeon's leg, which contained the information that was being sent. Fewer than one in eight of the pigeons were able to conclude their missions successfully. Most fell victim to the marksmen and falconers that German troops used to intercept these birds along the French coast, while others were killed through bad weather, exhaustion, or by wild birds of prey.[2]
Serving with the
Recognition
For these three missions that Commando conducted, he received the PDSA Dickin Medal, which is considered to be the animals' medal equivalent to the Victoria Cross, the highest military award for bravery in the UK.[2] He received the award along with Royal Blue, the King's pigeon from the Royal Lofts at Sandringham. They were both presented their awards on 12 April 1945 in London by Rear Admiral R. M. Bellairs.[7] The citation for the award that Commando received is as follows.[3][7]
For successfully delivering messages from Agents in Occupied France on three occasions: twice under exceptionally adverse conditions, while serving with the NPS in 1942.
The medal was auctioned by Valerie Theobold, Moon's grand daughter, in 2004. It was bought by a British collector for £9,200.[5] It had been valued in a range between £5,000 to £7,000.[8]
Post-military life
After the war, Commando enjoyed a somewhat celebrity-like status. He also participated in an exhibition of wartime homing pigeons.[2]
See also
References
- ^ "Pigeon's war medal up for auction". BBC News. 26 October 2004. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
- ^ a b c d e Will Bennett (20 September 2004). "For sale, the 'VC' won by an unstoppable pigeon who defied the Nazis". The Telegraph. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
- ^ a b "PDSA Dickin Medal: 'the animals' VC', Pigeons — Roll of Honour". PDSA. Archived from the original on 22 September 2008. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
- ISBN 0-85390-013-2.
- ^ a b "Spy pigeon's medal fetches £9,200". BBC News. 30 November 2004. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
- ^ James Exelby (21 October 2008). "Iran arrests two spy pigeons near nuclear facility". Arabian Business. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
- ^ a b "Pigeon commando flies into Spink (press release for auction)". Spink. Archived from the original on 20 July 2008. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
- ^ "Pigeon commando flies into Spink". Spink. Archived from the original on 22 December 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2011.