The Rest Is History

216. Pigeons

Aug 1, 2022

In this lively discussion, BBC Security Correspondent Gordon Corera, author of 'Operation Columba: The Secret Pigeon Service', illuminates the often-overlooked roles pigeons have played in warfare and communication. From their pivotal contributions during World War II to the amusing failures of MI5's strategies, Corera shares fascinating anecdotes about these feathered messengers. He also dives into their cultural significance, the sport of pigeon racing, and how their unique communication abilities have shaped history, all while challenging modern perceptions of these extraordinary birds.

55:15

Episode guests

Gordon Corera

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

The Historical Significance of Pigeons

4min

Pigeons: Companions and Messengers Through Time

23min

The Fascinating World of Pigeons

2min

The Unsung Heroes of War: Pigeons in Conflict

3min

Pigeons of War: Unsung Heroes

20min

Cinematic and Historical Pigeons

3min

‘If it became necessary immediately to discard every line and method of communications used on the front, except one, and it were left to me to select that one method, I should unhesitatingly choose the pigeons’, wrote Major General Fowler, Chief of Signals and Communications of the British Army, after the First World War.

On today's podcast Tom and Dominic are joined by Gordon Corera, the BBC's Security Correspondent and author of 'Operation Columba: The Secret Pigeon Service', to discuss the often under-appreciated role of pigeons throughout the course of history.

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