| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | RELAWM30789 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Place made | Australia, Australia: Queensland |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Australian carrier pigeon: Blue Bar cock 1382: QPS 41
Description
Mounted skin of a blue bar cock carrier pigeon. The bird carries an aluminium leg ring on his left leg stamped '1382 QPS 41'. Attached to his right leg by an aluminium ring is a screw-top khaki plastic message container, stamped 'D [broad arrow symbol] D'.
History / Summary
This bird was donated to the army by a Queensland pigeon fancier. During the war the bird flew a total 31 of operational flights, covering 1,257 miles.
Location of Detachment at time of message flight: Detachment 10 Pigeon Section (Type B) attached to Detachment 55 Port Craft Company, Madang.
Copy of message: 'Steering cable broken. Am in middle of Rasch Passage. Send as 25. Urgent.' The message arrived 5 minutes after it had been sent, the bird flying 4 miles in this time.
Result of message: The barge loaded with personnel, stores and equipment was saved from drifting into a reef as a result of this message.