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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?"
So, encoded?
England, as you may be aware, is often cold. A bird could easily decide to perch next to a chimney to keep warm. It then passes out from carbon monoxide inhalation, and topples into the chimney, where it becomes lodged.
Looks like a red flower, maybe a poppy. Is it some local or national thing? Can any slashdotter not working on decoding enlighten, please?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_poppy
At least what I could read of it thus far from the image, some letters in parenthesis if I was unsure, and probably not everything correct: (please reply with your corrections)
A(C)AKN HVPKD (F)NFJU YIDD(C/L)
RQX(Q)R DJHFP (E/F)OVFN MIAPX
PABUZ WYYNP C(M)PNW HJR(C)H
NLXKE MEMEK ON(O)(I/L)B AREE(G)?
UAOTA RBQRH DJOFM TPZEH
LKX(E/P)H R(E/F)(E/F)HT JRZCQ FNKTQ
KLDTS (E/F)QIRU AOAKN (2)7 1525/6
NURP 40 TW 194
NURP 37 DK (7/1)6
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AOAKN HVPKD FNFJU YIDDC
RQXSR DJHFP GoVFN MIAPX
PABUZ WYYNP CMPNW HJRZH
NLXKG MENEK ONOIB AREEQ
UAOTA RBQRH DJoFM TPZEH
LKXGH RGGHT JRZCQ FNKTQ
KLDTS GQIRU AOAKN 27 1525/6
NURP 40 TW 194
NURP 37 DK 76
lib 1025
This is correct. Radio communications in the UK were restricted for this sort of thing in WWII. Even weather reports were restricted, lest the Germans should use them to determine the best time to do an air raid. Not only were pigeons used to relay important intelligence, but they were drafted. Individuals who were known to keep pigeons for pleasure were required to turn their hobby into a civil service, much as factories were converted to produce matériel and farms were directed to increase production of specific staples.
FWIW, the NURP... at the end of the message simply identifies the carrier pigeons (NURP stands for National Union of Racing Pigeons).
This probably has nothing to do with the message.
The 40 and 37 indicate the year of registration and TW194 and DK76 are the "serial numbers" of the pigeon.
"drink more ovaltine"
doh! I knew it. just knew it.
That's great. I'm over 70 and I do indeed remember my Ovaltine decoders. I bet a very large percentage of the people here on /. have no clue what your post was about. Thank you sir, for reminding me of some good childhood memories.
Since when is "public safety" the root password to the Constitution?
Oh, read TFA yourself. There's nothing in there about cavalry charges. They used the horses to ride to the battle, not fight it. You also got the "leading native troops" part wrong.