Operation Columba-Plans for Invasion of the Continent

(c) Crown copyright images reproduced by courtesy of The National Archives, London, UK 

Catalog numbers WO206/3556 #57, #58, #59, #60, #61, #26, #27

This is Columba Summary #11 1943.  It covers plans for pigeons during the invasion of the continent.  When a bridgehead was established, training of pigeons would begin locally.  Mobile pigeon sections would each hold 720 pigeons.  The pigeons would be available for all requirements in the theatre of operations.  A reserve of 1400 pigeons would be held in Britain to replenish mobile pigeon section lofts.

Some other points in this summary:

Civilian loft owners were commended for their willingness to give their best pigeons to the Special Pigeon Service,

Improved cardboard containers to hold the pigeons when they were dropped by parachute into occupied Europe increased the number of pigeons who returned with messages,

Accuracy of dropping the pigeons was developed into a fine art by the special R.A.F. Squadrons,

Monthly output of pigeons dropped was increased from 500 to approximately 1000; these pigeons were needed to gather information on German anti-invasion preparations in the west.

Also included in this summary are statements on the value of the Special Pigeon Service by Jonathan Griffin, European Intelligence Director at the B.B.C., Air Intelligence, Major R.I. Dobson of S.O.E., and P.I.D.