Carrier Pigeons

During World War One, carrier pigeons were used to relay messages. Communication was very important during the war. These birds were used to report progress, request supplies, and even call for help. Carrier pigeons flew on their own while the message was placed in a small container attached to the bird’s leg. Each field commander had his own small group of pigeons that he relied on. Others flew aboard airplanes, while some even wore cameras to take pictures of the enemy.
At the beginning of the war, the American troops had 600 carrier pigeons. The most famous bird was named Cher Ami. He flew multiple missions, while his most important took place on October 4, 1918. Major Whittlesey and his men were trapped on the side of a hill. They were completely surrounded by the enemy. Many of the men were killed the first day, almost 300 total. He sent out all of his birds to express his dire need of help. After all the other birds were killed, Whittlesey sent up his last hope, Cher Ami, with a note containing his location and need. He watched as the Germans fired relentlessly at Cher. Miraculously, he seemed to dodge the bullets and continued to fly 25 miles to his destination. Upon delivering his last message, he sadly died as a result of his many war wounds. He saved the mens lives and was named a hero of World War One.
Carrier pigeons were the most reliable form of contact among troops during the war. Telegraphs, the only other form of communicating, would not function in these settings. They could not run wires across the battle front. As time progressed, and technology advanced the armed forces have found better means of communication, and the use of carrier pigeons has since faded out.

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