Bletchley Park and the Pigeon Spies

Over 15,000 pigeons were dropped into occupied Europe during WW2. Some were used by secret agents to send messages back to headquarters. Others were dropped by parachute into France, Belgium, Holland and Denmark in the hope that people would complete the attached questionnaire and provided military, political, economic or other intelligence of value for the Allies. Photographic negatives could be sent. Bletchley Park had its own loft for its pigeon spies. This book investigates the work of MI14, known as the Colomba Service, and for the first time sheds light on conditions in Occupied Europe described by extremely brave men and women who risked execution if found in possession of a pigeon. MI14 staff, decoded or translated messages and forwarded copies to SOE, SIS, MI19, RAF, RN, Ministry of Economic Warfare, BBC, Churchill, de Gaulle and President Benes of Czechoslovakia. 

---

Some books that may interest you

The Power to Fly By: Brian H Rowe	Lionel Morris and the Red Baron By: Jill Bush	The Quiet Gunner At War By: Richmond Gorle Edited by: Peter Gorle
Rommel - A Reappraisal By: Ian F. W. Beckett	Dover & Folkestone During the Great War By: Michael & Christine George	Helmand mission By: Richard Doherty
A Marine at Gallipoli and on The Western Front By: Harry Askin	D-Day to Berlin	Mengele By: David G. Marwell