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Pigeons and their motor lorry home at the front, WWI
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Pigeons and their motor lorry home at the front, WWI
H.M. " Air" Service - Petrol and Pigeons at the Front. A motor lorry behind the lines, converted into a home for carrier pigeons, used to carry message at the front. A despatch rider is seen in the foreground, starting out with a basketful of birds for service in the trenches.
1917
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Media ID 14229272
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Carrier Communication Converted Cycle Despatch Feb16 Lorry Messenger Motorbike Motorcycle Motorcyclist Pigeons Rider
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This evocative image captures the innovative use of animals in communication during the chaotic and unpredictable landscape of the Western Front in World War I. In the foreground, a determined despatch rider prepares to embark on his motorbike, clutching a basketful of carrier pigeons. These birds, perched comfortably in their makeshift home atop a motor lorry behind the lines, would soon be released to carry vital messages to their lofts located near the frontlines. The H.M. "Air" Service, a branch of the British military, recognized the importance of swift and reliable communication during the intense battles of the war. Ingeniously converting a motor lorry into a pigeon loft, they ensured that their messenger birds were well-protected and well-equipped for their dangerous missions. The pigeons were outfitted with small backpacks containing messages, which they would carry back to their home lofts, where the messages would be relayed to the appropriate military personnel. The use of carrier pigeons as messengers dates back to ancient times, but their role during World War I was more crucial than ever. With the chaos and destruction of the battlefield, traditional communication methods such as telephone and telegraph lines were often disrupted, making the humble pigeon an invaluable asset. This poignant photograph serves as a testament to the resourcefulness and ingenuity of those on the frontlines, who employed every means possible to maintain communication and keep the war effort moving forward.
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