100-year-old pigeon carrier message found in France
The small aluminium capsule was found in a field in Ingersheim, France, and detailed military manoeuvres in barely legible German handwriting.
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Your support makes all the difference.A 100-year-old message sent by carrier pigeon and thought to be written by a Prussian soldier has been discovered by a couple out walking.
The small aluminium capsule was found in a field in Ingersheim, France, containing detailed military manoeuvres in barely legible German handwriting.
The letter is addressed to a superior officer, Dominique Jardy, curator of the Linge Museum at Orbey in eastern France, said.
The message, as reported by French outlet 20 minutes, says: “Platoon Potthof receives fire as they reach the western border of the parade ground, platoon Potthof takes up fire and retreats after a while.
“In Fechtwald half a platoon was disabled. Platoon Potthof retreats with heavy losses.”
The date of the message is unclear but it is thought to have been written in either 1910 or 1916.
At the time, Ingersheim was part of Germany but is now in France’s Grand Est department.
Mr Jardy hailed the "extremely rare" discovery and that in forty years he has “never seen this".
He added that the tiny capsule probably rose to the surface over time, as is the case for grenades from both world wars. Mr Jardy had the note translated by a ‘German friend’.
The message, written on a surface akin to tracing paper, was meant to be sent by four pigeons but the letter found did not make it to its destination.
The message will be exhibited at the Musée du Linge as part of their display on the First World War.
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