Ruhr Express (pigeon)

Ruhr Express (pigeon NURP.43.29018) was a pigeon who received the Dickin Medal in May 1945 from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for bravery in service during the Second World War.^[1]

Bred and trained at RAF Detling, Ruhr Express was selected from amongst the RAF pigeons to accompany US paratroopers in a reconnaissance mission behind enemy lines into the Ruhr Valley in April 1945.^[1] The mission collected detailed information on enemy troops and defensive positions before dispatching Ruhr Express to return with the intelligence report.^[2]

See also

• List of individual birds