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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?"

15 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"

    --
    What political party do you join when you don't like Bible-thumpers *or* hippies?
    1. 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

      --
      I am officially gone from /. Long live http://www.soylentnews.com/
    2. 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. 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.
  4. 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!"

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. Re:Undecoded by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    No, it's natural language's wonderfully concise way of expressing "coded, but subject to ongoing attempts at decoding it" so that everybody who occasionally talks to people instead of machines immediately understands it.

  8. 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

  9. Re:What are the lapel pins? by SonnyDog09 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    In Flanders fields the poppies blow
    Between the crosses, row on row,
    That mark our place; and in the sky
    The larks, still bravely singing, fly
    Scarce heard amid the guns below.

    We are the Dead. Short days ago
    We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
    Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
    In Flanders fields.

    Take up our quarrel with the foe:
    To you from failing hands we throw
    The torch; be yours to hold it high.
    If ye break faith with us who die
    We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
    In Flanders fields.

    -- John McCrae

    --
    Your "fair share" is NOT in my wallet.
  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:Britain's "Animals In War Memorial" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The same is true for many of the soldiers.