I See It But I Don't Believe It ..............

[K4KittyCrew]

I've just seen an article stating that animals, pigeons ........... "received the Dickin Medal was awarded for any animal displaying conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during World War II and its aftermath. Of the 53 Dickin Medals presented, 32 went to pigeons"

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&rct= ... 3646143963

So, the 'powers that be' found conscious for animals YET they could not bring themselves to award the men that served Bomber Command, a medal for as such ...... Just when you think you have seen it all.
Crazy stuff!
John

[AlanW]

Hi John,
Calm down calm down Can i just clarify that, the Dickin Medal, was nothing to do with Government bodies of any sort, it was introduced by the PDSA. The only award that sticks in mind, was that of a pigeon called Winky. Two pigeons, Winky and Stinky, who were released by their crew after ditching at sea, and although they only did what comes natural to a homing pigeon, flying back home, Winky was deemed by the PDSA, to be awarded a medal, whilst Stinky was mia .

[jamesinnewcastle]

Hi All

On the subject of pigeons in Bombers - has anyone any pics of them in-situ in the Stirling? I've not seen any formal 'Pigeon Cage' locations on the aircraft or of any being carried on board. I have seen loads of cages lined up at an aerodrome.

While a medal for a pigeon might be silly, or at best sentimental - it would still be nice to recognise how they were used.


Cheers
James

[K4KittyCrew]

Hi James,
I haven't that information on hand but I have posted a thread in the past, on animals that have flown on operations with crews.
I'll try and find it.
Cheers,
John