At the outbreak of World War 2, the anti submarine capabilities of the RAF were little short of pitiful.
Tiger Moth biplanes were sent to scour the seas for surfaced U Boats.
The procedure to be adopted if they found one might have come from Blackadder.
Tiger Moth biplanes were sent to scour the seas for surfaced U Boats.
The procedure to be adopted if they found one might have come from Blackadder.
First, they could engage the target with bombs. So far so good.
However, they were 20lb bombs which would, at the very peak of optimism (and accuracy), force the enemy to carry out some light redecorating.
However, they were 20lb bombs which would, at the very peak of optimism (and accuracy), force the enemy to carry out some light redecorating.
No, in order to destroy its quarry the pilot would need help. But how to summon it?
Not by radio, because Moths didn’t have one.
The almost unbelievable answer is: by pigeon.
Not by radio, because Moths didn’t have one.
The almost unbelievable answer is: by pigeon.
An integral member of the Moth’s crew was a carrier pigeon.
These birds sat in a basket in front of the cockpit, no doubt pondering the infinite strangeness of life and trying to work out why the humans put them on an aeroplane when they could already fly.
These birds sat in a basket in front of the cockpit, no doubt pondering the infinite strangeness of life and trying to work out why the humans put them on an aeroplane when they could already fly.
This tactic was, you will be astonished to learn, not without its difficulties.
One contemporary RAF patrol report noted that the aircraft returned to base because the ‘contents of the bottom of the pigeon’s basket were blown back into the cockpit.’
War is indeed hell.
One contemporary RAF patrol report noted that the aircraft returned to base because the ‘contents of the bottom of the pigeon’s basket were blown back into the cockpit.’
War is indeed hell.
