# WWII Homing Pigeon Found **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 3, 2012, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-homing-pigeon-found/639765 "2012-11-03T15:35:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![toofs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@toofs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toofs)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-homing-pigeon-found/639765/1 "2012-11-03T15:35:56Z")
WWII homing pigeon with coded message [found](http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/120479-Brit-Finds-Secret-Message-on-Dead-World-War-II-Carrier-Pigeon) in Bletchingley, Surrey. What’s the message say? ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-homing-pigeon-found/639765/2 "2012-11-03T15:47:35Z")
“Send more pigeons!” ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-homing-pigeon-found/639765/3 "2012-11-03T15:48:47Z")
Considering the pigeon was found in a chimney: “Send blankets. Very cold. Even pigeons are freezing…” ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-homing-pigeon-found/639765/4 "2012-11-03T16:16:35Z")
Now we know where all the dead pigeons go. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-homing-pigeon-found/639765/5 "2012-11-03T16:27:50Z")
What does the message say? \* “Roast in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. Season to taste.”\* ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-homing-pigeon-found/639765/6 "2012-11-03T16:41:52Z")
“May 12, 1942. A member of Hitler’s security detail will assassinate him for cash. Reply to box #3472 if interested.” Dang. From the linked article: “About three handfuls of rubbish later, down came the leg with the red capsule on it, with a message inside. Unbelievable.” “It was like Christmas,” his wife said" Holidays at their house must be grand. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-homing-pigeon-found/639765/7 "2012-11-03T16:57:33Z")
“If I can’t get this capsule off my leg, I’m gonna die in this fucking chimney.” ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-homing-pigeon-found/639765/8 "2012-11-03T17:09:05Z")
Paging **Captain Ridley’s Shooting Party**! ---
**Author:** ![qualityleashdog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/9f8e36/32.png) [@qualityleashdog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/qualityleashdog)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-homing-pigeon-found/639765/9 "2012-11-04T15:34:42Z")
Wash. Biol. Surv. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-homing-pigeon-found/639765/10 "2012-11-04T20:03:49Z")
It was like Christmas? “Well, we had asked Santa for a pigeon with meat still on it, but he’s a busy fella”, said the starving homeowner. “Still, maybe we can suck some marrow out of the bones.” ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-homing-pigeon-found/639765/11 "2012-11-04T20:12:09Z")
This story is getting a lot of press. They think the message was intended for RAF Bomber Command, because the addressee code was “XO2”, but they don’t yet know the conents. BTW, has anybody ever heard of RAF bombers carrying pigeons to return to England if the bomber was shot down. I’ve never read that and I’ve been reading WWII histories all my life. Can a pigeon even survive being tossed out of a 150 mph plane? Is it supposed to struggle out of the crushed and burning wreckage on the ground and them return home with the sad news? Which crewman had the job of releasing the pigeon before saving himself? Color me skeptical. Unfortunately, this very story is making a Google search about the history problematic. Searching for WWII carrier pigeons and bombers is hitting on tons of news stories to wade through. ---
**Author:** ![Jamicat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@Jamicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamicat)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-homing-pigeon-found/639765/12 "2012-11-04T20:18:56Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Now we know where all the dead pigeons go. Long time passing… ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-homing-pigeon-found/639765/13 "2012-11-04T20:23:25Z")
Gone to chimneys, every one… ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-homing-pigeon-found/639765/14 "2012-11-04T20:52:37Z")
Damn that’s some bad phrasing- ‘the preserved pigeon bones of a bird’, are they sure it wasn’t the pigeon bones of a kipper? ---
**Author:** ![Ashes\_Ashes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/db5fbb/32.png) [@Ashes\_Ashes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashes_Ashes)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-homing-pigeon-found/639765/15 "2012-11-04T22:07:27Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > “If I can’t get this capsule off my leg, I’m gonna die in this fucking chimney.” 127 Hours the Prequel? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-homing-pigeon-found/639765/16 "2012-11-04T23:15:47Z")
> [@](#): > > WWII Homing Pigeon Found Correction! “_Remains_ of WWII Homing Pigeon Found” Correct & re-deliver. With a different bird. Obviously. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2012, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-homing-pigeon-found/639765/17 "2012-11-04T23:23:41Z")
“Secret treasure hoard of A.H. found in Poland. Location to follow.” ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2012, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-homing-pigeon-found/639765/18 "2012-11-05T00:33:43Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > What does the message say? \* “Roast in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. Season to taste.”\* well, the secret is a little more complex than that… Directions Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Rub pigeons with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Lightly season hens with salt and pepper. Place 1 lemon wedge and 1 sprig rosemary in cavity of each pigeon. Arrange in a large, heavy roasting pan, and arrange garlic cloves around pigeon s. Roast in preheated oven for 25 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a mixing bowl, whisk together wine, chicken broth, and remaining 2 tablespoons of oil; pour over pigeons. Continue roasting about 25 minutes longer, or until pigeons are golden brown and juices run clear. Baste with pan juices every 10 minutes. Transfer pigeons to a platter, pouring any cavity juices into the roasting pan. Tent pigeons with aluminum foil to keep warm. Transfer pan juices and garlic cloves to a medium saucepan and boil until liquids reduce to a sauce consistency, about 6 minutes. Cut pigeons in half lengthwise and arrange on plates. Spoon sauce and garlic around pigeons. Garnish with rosemary sprigs, and serve. …but it does of course explain why there were no pigeons left to use in the next conflict. ---
**Author:** ![Tangent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tangent/32/3098_2.png) [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2012, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-homing-pigeon-found/639765/19 "2012-11-05T00:59:39Z")
[Dastardly and Muttley](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLSIU9BG41U) will be pleased. ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2012, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-homing-pigeon-found/639765/20 "2012-11-05T01:05:08Z")
“Send three and fourpence. We are going to a dance.” [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wwii-homing-pigeon-found/639765.md?page=2)