A couple out hiking in France have discovered a small capsule carried by carrier pigeons containing a message over 100 years old.
The century-old note from a German infantry officer was found in a field in Ingersheim, northeastern France in mid-September, according to CNN.
Dominique Jardy, curator of the Linge Museum at Orbey in eastern France, says the message, which is barely legible, details military manoeuvres and was addressed to a superior officer.
"Platoon Potthof receives fire as they reach the western border of the parade ground, platoon Potthof takes up fire and retreats after a while," the message reads.
"In Fechtwald half a platoon was disabled. Platoon Potthof retreats with heavy losses."
The note, which was translated by a German friend, says the officer was based in the town of Colmar when the area was still a part of Germany, according to Jardy.
He told CNN the note is either from 1910 or 1916, but he is convinced it is the former because he is not aware of any military maneuvers in the area in 1916.
He said artifacts like the note are hardly ever found today.
"It's really very, very, very rare," he said. "It's really exceptional."
