Ste Catherine in Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium — Northwestern Europe
Monument: au Pigeon Soldat / aan de Oorlogs Duif / to the War Pigeons (1914-1918)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 16, 2023
1. Monument au Pigeon Soldat / aan de Oorlogs Duif / to the War Pigeons
Aux Colombophiles Belges
morts pour la Patrie
Aan de Belgische Duivenliefhebbers voor
het Vaderland gesneuveld
To the War Pigeons
To the Belgian Pigeon Breeders
who died for their Country
Erected 1931.
Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Animals • War, World I.
Location. 50° 51.234′ N, 4° 20.785′ E. Marker is in Bruxelles, Brussels. It is in Ste Catherine. Memorial is at the intersection of Quai aux Barques and Rue Locquenghien, on the right when traveling north on Quai aux Barques. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bruxelles, Brussels 1000, Belgium. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Rue de la Cigogne / Ooievarstraat / “Stork” Street (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); Rue du Chien Marin / Zeehondstraat / “Sea Dog” Street (about 240 meters away); Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste au Béguinage / Church of Saint John the Baptist at the Béguinage
this page online
More about this marker. The memorial is located in Square Marguerite Duras.
Also see . . .
1. Monument aux Pigeon-Soldat (Wikipedia, in French). (Submitted on May 27, 2023.)
2. Belgian soldiers use messenger pigeons in World War One. (YouTube, 48 seconds). Very short film clip (marred by digital watermark and annoying overlays) showing the following: “ World War One. The defence and fall of Antwerp, Belgium during World War One. Belgian troopers despatching messages to headquarters staff by carrier pigeons. A soldier with a wicker cage on his back climbs onto a horse and rides off. A soldier is seen handling a carrier pigeon.” (Submitted on May 27, 2023.)
3. Pigeons voyageurs de l'armée française pendant la Première Guerre mondiale (Wikipedia, in French)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 16, 2023
2. Monument: au Pigeon Soldat / aan de Oorlogs Duif / to the War Pigeons (1914-1918)
On the German reaction to the use of pigeons (in translation): In the occupied zones, the Germans took care to prohibit civilians from releasing pigeons. Thus, from December 1915, in the north of France…the following week's Bulletin de Lille reminded the inhabitants of Lille that it was forbidden, under pain of death, to release carrier pigeons, and specified that persons “whoever finds carrier pigeons [...] are required to hand them over to the nearest military authority, failing which they will be suspected of spying and will expose themselves to prosecution; negligent offenses shall be punished by imprisonment of up to 3 years or a fine of up to 10,000 marks”(Submitted on May 27, 2023.)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 16, 2023
3. To the War Pigeons memorial - detail
The memorial is the work of the architect Georges Hano and the sculptor Victor Voets.
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, May 15, 2023
4. Monument to the War Pigeons - detail
Credits. This page was last revised on December 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 88 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 27, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
