Ruhr Express (pigeon)

Ruhr Express (pigeon NURP.43.29018) was a pigeon who received the Dickin Medal in May 1945 from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for bravery in service during the Second World War.[1]

Bred and trained at RAF Detling, Ruhr Express was selected from amongst the RAF pigeons to accompany US paratroopers in a reconnaissance mission behind enemy lines into the Ruhr Valley in April 1945.[1] The mission collected detailed information on enemy troops and defensive positions before dispatching Ruhr Express to return with the intelligence report.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Dickin medal pigeons". PDSA. Archived from the original on 13 February 2010. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
  2. ^ Hawthorne, Peter. (2012). The animal Victoria Cross. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military. ISBN 9781781590423. OCLC 806201117.


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