For the D-Day invasion, a radio silence was set in order to prevent German radars to intercept messages. In order to communicate anyway, the US army and especially Airborne Troops used 5000 pigeons in Normandy and 94% delivered the message.
A harness was necessary to carry the Pigeon outside of its box and for the jump.
A Pigeon message book also called Message Book M210-A, to avoid captured paratroopers to reveal the secret, was used to communicate.
In this book you will find, the abbreviations, the date, 1943 and 25 messages (3 pages by message with carbon sheets to keep a record).
This item is really rare to find as well as all the pigeon equipment. A symbol of D-Day's success !