He then throws away a telegram ordering him to run because it is wrongly addressed to "Catpain Blackudder", and then shoots a carrier pigeon replaying the same message.
When General Melchett arrives at the trenches demanding an explanation as to why the group has not advanced, Blackadder nearly gets away with it by blaming the communication breakdown.
But after Baldrick points out that the feathers are "speckly," Melchett is enraged, as it was his beloved pet pigeon, Speckled Jim.
On the day of the court-martial, Blackadder is relieved to know that Darling is the prosecuting counsel, but mortified to learn that Melchett is the judge.
Melchett summarily fines George £50 for wasting the court's time by turning up, takes great pains to locate his black cap, and refers to Blackadder as "the Flanders Pigeon Murderer".
When George is giving the summation for the defense, he accidentally says Blackadder is guilty of the crime rather than "trying to do his duty under difficult circumstances", although he does correct this error but to no avail.