Summary: The war-time use of carrier pigeons, characterised by the film as one unbreakable line of communication.
Description: In the first part of the film, army handling is explained: pigeons are both volunteered by peacetime owners and specially bred; some use their true home loft as a base (when it is conveniently situated) being removed for periods not longer than 3 days - others are made accustomed to a new home (a three weeks process: film shows a Royal Corps of Signals mobile loft). The second half of the film is given over to a fictional incident in which a pigeon is the agent for getting news out of a Company HQ cut off by enemy paratroops. Film includes some good close-ups of pigeon's head, and wings and tail.
Production Details: War Office (Production sponsor)
Ministry of Information (Production sponsor)
GB Instructional (Production company)
Field, Mary18961968 (Production individual)
North, Frank (Production individual)
Wills, Colin Frederick George1906-01-171965 (Production cast)
Personalities, Units and Organisations: British Army, Royal Corps of Signals (regiment/service)
Keywords: animals, birds: pigeon (object name)
communications, British military - message: carrier pigeon (object name)
operations, British military - routine (object name)
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: B&W
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Subtitle language: None
Technical Details: Format: 35mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 690 ft; Running time: 7 mins
