Today on Gus’ Gear, I present a few more items used in communications with pigeons as well as some photos and background information on the men who served.
To begin with, here are two devices used to transport pigeons in the field. At the top is a wicker basket, this particular basket is a civilian item that does not fit the dimensions of any of the known military issue baskets. This particular basket came from the collection of a sport pigeon racer and was identified as a WW1 basket, but without any concrete provenance, it is difficult to attribute it to any particular unit.
Below is a German steel pigeon carrier, both ends can be removed so the bird can be inserted head first and also removed head first to avoid any damage to the feathers. The bird would usually be tightly wrapped in paper, old news papers would be suitable for such use. The carrier has a paper cloth cord to use as a sling and the metal tube would protect the bird from injury if the soldier fell or an explosion occurred nearby. This pigeon carrier was obtained by Advance Guard Militaria from a Belgian museum at the end of the 20th Century. This was formerly on display at the Dadizele War Museum in Flanders.
This is a photo post card of one of the pigeons used by the signalman from Chicago. Identified by the number CB5279 and named Poc Hen.
This is a photo of the unnamed Chicago signalman standing in the door of a portable U.S. Army pigeon loft. These lofts could be moved near the front and then the pigeons would be localized to the new location over several weeks so they would return to this loft when released with a message. The loft would be located next to a communications center so that the message could be quickly transmitted to the final destination.
This is a commemorative pin issued by the American Racing Pigeon Union to all members who served with the American Expeditionary Force in Europe.
These are American Racing Pigeon Union pins from conventions held in 1915 and 1921 that were part of the grouping from the pigeoneer from Chicago.
This is a photo of the men of this pigeon section. The man who collected the different capsules is the one on the far left as near as I can determine.
Another photo, taken back in Illinois after the war.