Dutch Coast, also known as NURP.41. A.2164, was a pigeon who received the Dickin Medal in 1945 from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for bravery in service during the Second World War. [1]
Dutch Coast was bred and owned by Mr J Flower of Radcliffe-on-Trent, and was a red cock of the Osman strain of racing pigeons. After being donated into military service, the bird was placed on a bomber so as to relay an S.O.S. message if the plane was shot down. [2] It was given the military designation NURP.41. [3] A.2164. In April 1942, the bomber on which it was on board was ditched in the water near the Dutch coast. [4] The bird was the only one on-board and was retrieved by the crew who released it from the dinghy at 6:20am. [4] [2]
It travelled some 288 miles in 7 and a half hours under poor conditions, back to RAF Syerston in Nottinghamshire. [4] For this action, it was awarded the Dickin Medal in 1945, [2] described as the animal's Victoria Cross. [5]
Dutch Coast, also known as NURP.41. A.2164, was a pigeon who received the Dickin Medal in 1945 from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for bravery in service during the Second World War. [1]
Dutch Coast was bred and owned by Mr J Flower of Radcliffe-on-Trent, and was a red cock of the Osman strain of racing pigeons. After being donated into military service, the bird was placed on a bomber so as to relay an S.O.S. message if the plane was shot down. [2] It was given the military designation NURP.41. [3] A.2164. In April 1942, the bomber on which it was on board was ditched in the water near the Dutch coast. [4] The bird was the only one on-board and was retrieved by the crew who released it from the dinghy at 6:20am. [4] [2]
It travelled some 288 miles in 7 and a half hours under poor conditions, back to RAF Syerston in Nottinghamshire. [4] For this action, it was awarded the Dickin Medal in 1945, [2] described as the animal's Victoria Cross. [5]