“Schools Name”

1. “Schools Name” History Pigeons Loft Project

2. History and Homing Pigeons Why are homing pigeons related to History? How important was Homing pigeons in the 2ndWorld War and what was their role? What was the Dickin Medal?

3. Homing Pigeons and War Ok so I know what you are thinking what does the homing pigeon have to do with war? Keep these images in mind as you can find the answers in the fill you are about to watch.

4. Pigeons During the war You all now have a sheet with some questions on. As you watch the video answer as many questions as a group as you can by using the information off the film http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZfjbfe5SXM

5. So what did you come up with Pigeons were used in the RAF to send messages back to base to report where shot down aircraft were positioned They was also used by solders to report back to base from behind enemy lines Pigeons were parachuted to the soldiers / spies behind enemy lines to keep the communication lines open Both sides took capturing enemy homing pigeons seriously as they would try and intercept and decode messages form the enemy Mobile pigeon lofts was a regular site on military bases to house the pigeons until they was needed in action Messages were sent by attaching a note onto the pigeons leg.

6. Here is an actual message that was sent back from the front line on D Day! Your Task Ok you are a commander back at base and you have just received a message from the front line can you conclude what the message says and what you would do with the information! You only have 10 minutes as you must be quick as it could be a matter of life or death!

7. The Story Behind the message and the pigeon Gustav His name might sound suspiciously foreign, but he was as English as they come. Released from a ship close to the coast of Normandy as the D-Day landings began, he faced a headwind of 30mph and the sun was hidden behind dense cloud. Yet he still managed the 150-mile trip to a pigeon loft in Thorney Island, near Portsmouth, after a flight lasting 5hours and 16 minutes. His handler, Sgt Harry Halsey, took the message strapped to Gustav's leg that 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. Lightning's, Typhoons, Fortresses crossing since 0545. No enemy aircraft seen." Liberated 8:30 - France Arrived home 13:46 - Portsmouth (The message was used to track the progress of the allied troops on the beaches of Normandy during the D Day landings. Thishelped the British Army Liberate the French people from German occupation)

8. Dickin Medal Now it’s time for you to do the research! What is the Dickin Medal awarded for? You have 10 minutes to research and give examples of when and what the DickinMedal was awarded for Good Luck

9. [edit] See also Dickin Medal So What did you find? Dickin Medal was first awarded in 1943 in the UK to honour the bravery of animals in war It is made of bronze bearing the words "For Gallantry, We Also Serve" 62 Animals have been awarded the Medal of which 32 are Homing Pigeons The award is commonly referred to as “The animals‘ Victoria Cross”

10. So the role of the Homing Pigeons in the war and how it all worked Released http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxvEmmKrKig Start - 29 sec Finish – 4min 25 sec So will it work? Hands up for YES Number of students:____________ Hands up for NO Number of students:______________ Let’s see what happens Arriving home http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxvEmmKrKig Start -7min 32 sec Finish – 8:52 seconds

11. So what did you learn? Why are homing pigeons related to History? How important was Homing pigeons in the 2ndWorld War and what was there role? What was the Dickin Medal?