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WW2 Carrier Pigeon and Undecoded Message Found In Chimney

BigBadBus writes "The BBC is reporting that the remains of a World War 2 carrier pigeon were found during renovation of a chimney in England. What is interesting is that the pigeon's remains still had its message attached to the leg ring; even more interesting, this is the first recorded instance of a code being used rather than plain text. The successor to WW2 code-breaking HQ Bletchley Park, the GCHQ, is trying to decipher this unique code. Maybe a Slashdot reader can beat them to it?"

17 of 287 comments (clear)

  1. I got it! by crazyjj · · Score: 5, Funny

    It says, "Dresden agrees to surrender, no need to firebomb, Feb. 12, 1945"

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    What political party do you join when you don't like Bible-thumpers *or* hippies?
    1. Re:I got it! by TheGratefulNet · · Score: 4, Funny

      "drink more ovaltine"

      doh! I knew it. just knew it.

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      --
      "It is now safe to switch off your computer."
    2. Re:I got it! by ByOhTek · · Score: 4, Funny

      One more good reason not to stop for a smoke, eh?

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      Self proclaimed typo king, and inventor of the bear destroying coffee table (patent not pending).
    3. Re:I got it! by dkleinsc · · Score: 5, Funny

      Actually, it's a bit longer, and translates to:
      Don't look like Neanderthals
      Living in a cave
      Stay clean and ready with
      Burma Shave

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      I am officially gone from /. Long live http://www.soylentnews.com/
    4. Re:I got it! by linear+a · · Score: 5, Funny

      "Getting hungry on the front. Send more pigeons."

  2. Translation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    It says, "All Germany's base are belong to us"

    1. Re:Translation by kiehlster · · Score: 5, Funny

      It's no wonder the pidgeon was found in a chimney. That pidgeon would have had to fly from Germany all the way across the English Channel and to some place in London. It must have died of a heart attack after such a flight. If such a pidgeon were alive today, we'd have the best IPoAC latency rates ever recorded.

  3. Serialz.pigeon.com by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Obviously they were just sending serial numbers to aid in pirating punch card software.

  4. One for the Brits by History's+Coming+To · · Score: 5, Funny

    It read "This pigeon is under no circumstances to be shot and eaten, nor allowed near chimneys"

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    Please consider this account deleted, I just can't be bothered with the spam anymore.
  5. Don't know why, but It's some sort of German by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Wenn ist das Nunstuck git und Slotermeyer? Ja! Beiherhund das Oder die Flipperwaldt gersput!"

  6. Re:Undecoded? by ddd0004 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I prefer the doubly redundant not not undecoded. Oh well, back to my technical writing job.

  7. Re:recovering an RFC 1149 "lost packet"??? by crazyjj · · Score: 4, Funny

    i wonder how the bird got in the chimney in the first place

    It walked there.

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    What political party do you join when you don't like Bible-thumpers *or* hippies?
  8. Re:recovering an RFC 1149 "lost packet"??? by swanzilla · · Score: 4, Funny

    Very small helicopter.

  9. Really? by saveferrousoxide · · Score: 5, Funny

    I've boiled down the 32 comments (so far) to 2:
    "Drink more ovaltine! (ha ha)" and the like
    Undecoded = unnecessary double negative.

    Glad to save you some time, Dear Reader.

  10. hyperspace express way notice by dsvick · · Score: 5, Funny

    Actually, it says:

    Notice of intent to build a hyperspace express route is hereby given to the peoples of earth.
    Plans and demolition orders may be viewed at your local planning office in Alpha Centauri.
    Thank you,
    Galactic Hyperspace Planning Council

  11. Re:recovering an RFC 1149 "lost packet"??? by DulcetTone · · Score: 5, Funny

    It flue in

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    tone
  12. Re:Undecoded? by lucm · · Score: 4, Funny

    If you're going to pick that kind of nit, then it was encrypted.

    read the article: the bird died in the chimney, there was no crypt involved.

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    lucm, indeed.