Dickin medals and related question

[sksvlad]

Dickin medal, sometimes referred to as Animals' Victoria Cross, is the highest military award given by the British to animals who display bravery during war time https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dickin_Medal. I was watching a BBC's Antiques Roadshow segment, during which a man brought a collection of various Dickin medals with supporting war photographs. He also claimed that Germans had snipers stationed along the French coast who were under orders to shoot any racing pigeons flying towards England. Because they were likely carrying messages from French Resistance. He did not elaborate on types of guns used to shoot at those pigeons. Does anyone know what type of ammunition was used on those pigeons? Because the pigeons flew unannounced and fast and it is difficult to sit and just wait for them, not even taking weather into effect.

 

[kiwieod]

i dont think the germans would waste time and effort to try and shoot down pigeons,like you said it would be very difficult to even see them,let alone try and shoot at them

 

[sksvlad]

Thank you. if I remember correctly, that man said "snipers" which implies scoped rifles.

 

[TimG]

During WWIi they were used by different arms for messaging. There was provision for carrying them on bombers, see https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winkie_(pigeon). The Metropolitan Police (London) had intentions of using them for communications in the post nuclear apocalypse scenario.

TimG