Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

WW2 Carrier Pigeon and Undecoded Message Found In Chimney

Posted by Soulskill on from the flue-the-coop dept.

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?"

7 of 287 comments (clear)

  1. Undecoded? by Revotron · · Score: 4, Informative

    So, encoded?

    1. Re:Undecoded? by HarrySquatter · · Score: 4, Informative

      No, "undeciphered" is more precise. Because that covers the fact that it might not be encoded but the meaning if the message has not yet been interpreted.

    2. Re:Undecoded? by fm6 · · Score: 4, Informative

      The pigeon was hidden in the chimney (for 70 years!). "Crypt" is Greek for hiding place. Stupid kids with no education!

  2. Re:recovering an RFC 1149 "lost packet"??? by gman003 · · Score: 5, Informative

    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.

  3. Encoded string by thrill12 · · Score: 4, Informative

    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

    --
    Slashdot: stuff for news, nerds that matter, matter for news, stuff that nerd
  4. Original code by smitsco · · Score: 5, Informative

    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

  5. Re:Huh by cervesaebraciator · · Score: 4, Informative

    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.