Comments on: The Intrepid Pigeoneers

By: Meathammer

Meathammer — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 05:13:23 +0000

As if it needs to be said (yet again), fantastic job Alan.

...where he was stuffed, mounted, and put on display...

That is how I want to go...that's not like a metaphor for anything, I mean the taxidermy part not the... Oh nevermind...

...the ancient Egyptians and Persians took note of pigeons' tendency...

A suttle pun, perhaps? As in carrier pigeons? Note? Get it? Maybe not, I think the article about boobs overloaded my Pun Detector.

By: haveacupoftea

haveacupoftea — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 19:22:11 +0000

I know of at least two monuments to commemorate their feats and sacrifice in the WWs, though I’m sure there are a lot more.
In Brussels, North of the Sainte Catherine neighbourhood, there’s one to the Pigeon Soldier.
In London, along the East side of Hyde Park, bordering Mayfair, to Animals in War in general.

By: Random5

Random5 — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 18:08:03 +0000

It is annoying that all the French are mocked as cowards due to the decisions of one French government. Americans always seem to their performance in WWII something to brag about as well which is rather annoying.

By: tednugentkicksass

tednugentkicksass — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 02:27:52 +0000

HiEv said: "Don't be so bigoted. For your information, the French were instrumental in the ending of WWI, especially in the Second Battle of the Marne, the first of what would become a string of Allied victories that ended the war.

Besides, it's not like the US hasn't had a long series of defeats and questionable results in military efforts since failing to win the Korean War in 1950-53. The Vietnam War - lost, Beirut - withdrew, Gulf War - questionable success (Saddam remained in power; led to Iraq War), Somalia - withdrew, Afghanistan - questionable success (Osama bin Laden still at large; Taliban remains in rural areas; current government is fragile), Iraq War - complete mess. (And if you're going to claim the questionable victories in the Gulf War or Afghanistan, please note that they both had French military support.) As you can see, the US has had a rather miserable track record in military endeavors for over 50 years as well. And really now, why should a country's ability to attack another country be seen as something to be proud of in the 21st century? Shouldn't the ability to foster and maintain peace be more important than the ability to wage and win wars in the modern world? I think your prejudice against the French is rather misplaced."

Dude, chill out. The comment was meant in jest. That's just my sense of humor. I was trying to bait somebody into a stupid argument and now that I have, it's retarded. No country has a perfect track-record when it comes to wars, just some are able to sell their successes a little better than others. I won't apologize for my comment, but I will apologize for being a dumb-ass. I am glad you make such an effort to put forward your own political-correctness.... good for you, you are better than me.

By: HiEv

HiEv — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 10:53:17 +0000

tednugentkicksass said: “It seems to me that Cher Ami was the only French national to do anything but crumble (let alone succeed) in any 20th century military act.”

Don’t be so bigoted. For your information, the French were instrumental in the ending of WWI, especially in the Second Battle of the Marne, the first of what would become a string of Allied victories that ended the war.

Besides, it’s not like the US hasn’t had a long series of defeats and questionable results in military efforts since failing to win the Korean War in 1950-53. The Vietnam War – lost, Beirut – withdrew, Gulf War – questionable success (Saddam remained in power; led to Iraq War), Somalia – withdrew, Afghanistan – questionable success (Osama bin Laden still at large; Taliban remains in rural areas; current government is fragile), Iraq War – complete mess. (And if you’re going to claim the questionable victories in the Gulf War or Afghanistan, please note that they both had French military support.) As you can see, the US has had a rather miserable track record in military endeavors for over 50 years as well.

And really now, why should a country’s ability to attack another country be seen as something to be proud of in the 21st century? Shouldn’t the ability to foster and maintain peace be more important than the ability to wage and win wars in the modern world? I think your prejudice against the French is rather misplaced.

By: riddle

riddle — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 18:41:18 +0000

There was a film titled “The Lost battalion” which closely documents the events of Whittlesy and the men of his battalion. Very cool!

By: ironcross

ironcross — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 11:10:49 +0000

Of course we all know this would never take place in the present day. Do you think that pigeon made that choice to go into service and be shot down? Pigeons have feelings too you know and it is those rotten soldiers who got themselves in that predicament who should have been shot, not the pigeon.

By: Ahuva

Ahuva — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 09:07:23 +0000

Amberleaf, I’d love to see pics of the “decorated” pie. I keep thinking of creative uses for the feet.

By: amberleaf

amberleaf — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 09:00:30 +0000

Pigeon pie

Serves 4-6

Preparation time 30 mins to 1 hour
Cooking time 1 to 2 hours

Ingredients
4-5 pigeons, drawn. 6 if using road kills.
salt and pepper to taste
250g/8oz stewing beef
250g/8oz shortcrust pastry
beaten egg to glaze
2 tsp cornflour
300ml/10fl oz stock

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.
2. Kill Pigeons and wait until flapping subsides.
3. Remove feathers heads and feet if they still have them and
put aside for decoration if later required.
4. Joint the birds into two breast joints and two leg joints
each and stew the rest of the carcass in a little water to
make stock for the gravy.
5. Cut the beef into small pieces and line a deep 20cm/8in pie
dish with these.
6. Lay the pigeon joints on top, cover with water, add salt
and pepper, then cover the pie dish with greased paper or
aluminium foil. Place in the oven and simmer for 1½ hours.
7. Remove from the oven and raise oven temperature to
200C/400F/Gas 6.
8. Cover the pie with the shortcrust pastry, brush the top
with beaten egg, put back into the oven and bake until the
pastry is golden brown.
9. Make a gravy by mixing 10g/2tsp cornflour with a little
cold water and add to 300ml/10fl oz of the warmed stock. Allow
to thicken while stirring, season, add decorations, Serve on a plate.

By: Byrden

Byrden — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 09:19:03 +0000

In view of all the experiments done on pigeons, has anyone tried showing them maps? I’d bet that a pigeon is smart enough to read a simple map and navigate by memory of it.