War pigeon

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Dispatching of a message by carrier pigeon within the Swiss Army during World War I Abfertigen einer Meldung durch Brieftauben - CH-BAR - 3240471 - restoration.jpg
Dispatching of a message by carrier pigeon within the Swiss Army during World War I

Homing pigeons have long played an important role in war. Due to their homing ability, speed, and altitude, they were often used as military messengers. Carrier pigeons of the Racing Homer breed were used to carry messages in World War I and World War II, and 32 such pigeons were presented with the Dickin Medal. [1] Medals such as the Croix de Guerre, awarded to Cher Ami, and the Dickin Medal awarded to the pigeons G.I. Joe and Paddy, amongst 32 others, have been awarded to pigeons for their services in saving human lives.

Contents

During World War I and World War II, carrier pigeons were used to transport messages back to their home coop behind the lines. When they landed, wires in the coop would sound a bell or buzzer and a soldier of the Signal Corps would know a message had arrived. The soldier would go to the coop, remove the message from the canister, and send it to its destination by telegraph, field phone, or personal messenger.

A carrier pigeon's job was dangerous. Nearby, enemy soldiers often tried to shoot down pigeons, knowing that released birds were carrying important messages. Some of these pigeons became quite famous amongst the infantrymen for whom they worked. One pigeon, named “Spike”, flew 52 missions without receiving a single wound. [2] Another, named Cher Ami, lost his foot and one eye, but his message got through, saving a large group of surrounded American infantrymen.

History

Before the advent of radio, carrier pigeons were frequently used on the battlefield as a means for a mobile force to communicate with a stationary headquarters. In the sixth century BC, Cyrus, king of Persia, used carrier pigeons to communicate with various parts of his empire. [3] In Ancient Rome, Julius Caesar used pigeons to send messages to the territory of Gaul. [4]

During the 19th-century (1870–71) Franco-Prussian War, besieged Parisians used carrier pigeons to transmit messages outside the city; in response, the besieging Prussian Army employed hawks to hunt the pigeons. [5] The French military used balloons to transport homing pigeons past enemy lines. [6] Microfilm images containing hundreds of messages allowed letters to be carried into Paris by pigeon from as far away as London. More than one million different messages traveled this way during the four-month siege. They were then discovered to be very useful, and carrier pigeons were well considered in military theory leading up to World War I.

World War I

British WWI poster regarding the killing of war pigeons being an offence under Regulation 21A of the Defence of the Realm Act Shooting Homing Pigeons.png
British WWI poster regarding the killing of war pigeons being an offence under Regulation 21A of the Defence of the Realm Act

Homing pigeons were used extensively during World War I. In 1914, during the First Battle of the Marne, the French army advanced 72 pigeon lofts with the troops. The US Army Signal Corps used 600 pigeons in France alone.

One of their homing pigeons, a Blue Check cock [lower-alpha 1] named Cher Ami, was awarded the French "Croix de Guerre with Palm” for heroic service delivering 12 important messages during the Battle of Verdun. On his final mission in October 1918, he delivered a message despite having been shot through the breast or wing. The crucial message, found in the capsule hanging from a ligament of his shattered leg, saved 194 US soldiers of the 77th Infantry Division's “Lost Battalion". [8] [9]

German unmanned camera pigeon (probably aerial reconnaissance in World War I) Bundesarchiv Bild 183-R01996, Brieftaube mit Fotokamera cropped.jpg
German unmanned camera pigeon (probably aerial reconnaissance in World War I)

United States Navy aviators maintained 12 pigeon stations in France, with a total inventory of 1,508 pigeons when the war ended. Pigeons were carried in airplanes to rapidly return messages to these stations, and 829 birds flew in 10,995 wartime aircraft patrols. Airmen of the 230 patrols with messages entrusted to pigeons threw the message-carrying pigeon either up or down, depending on the type of aircraft, to keep the pigeon out of the propeller and away from airflow toward the aircraft wings and struts. Eleven of the thrown pigeons went missing in action, but the remaining 219 messages were delivered successfully. [10]

Leg canister for a war pigeon, U.S. Army Signal Corps, World War I. 1.0 x 2.9 cm, 1.7 gm PigeonLegCanister.jpg
Leg canister for a war pigeon, U.S. Army Signal Corps, World War I. 1.0 x 2.9 cm, 1.7 gm

Pigeons were considered an essential element of naval aviation communication when the first United States aircraft carrier USS Langley was commissioned on 20 March 1922, so the ship included a pigeon house on the stern. [11] The pigeons were trained at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard while Langley was undergoing conversion. As long as the pigeons were released a few at a time for exercise, they returned to the ship; but when the whole flock was released while Langley was anchored off Tangier Island, the pigeons flew south and roosted in the cranes of the Norfolk shipyard. [12] The pigeons never went to sea again. [11]

World War II and later deployments

During World War II, the United Kingdom used about 250,000 homing pigeons for many purposes, including communicating with those behind enemy lines such as Belgian spy Jozef Raskin. The Dickin Medal, the highest possible decoration for valor given to animals, was awarded to 32 pigeons, including the United States Army Pigeon Service's G.I. Joe and the Irish pigeon Paddy.

The UK maintained the Air Ministry Pigeon Section during World War II and for a while thereafter. A Pigeon Policy Committee made decisions about the uses of pigeons in military contexts. The head of the section, Lea Rayner, reported in 1945 that pigeons could be trained to deliver small explosives or bioweapons to precise targets. The ideas were not taken up by the committee, and in 1948 the UK military stated that pigeons were of no further use. During the war, messenger pigeons could draw a special allowance of corn and seed, but as soon as the war ended this had been cancelled and anyone keeping pigeons would have to draw on their own personal rationed corn and seed to also feed the pigeons. [13] However, the UK security service MI5 was still concerned about the use of pigeons by enemy forces. Until 1950, they arranged for 100 birds to be maintained by a civilian pigeon fancier in order to prepare for any eventuality. The Swiss army disbanded its Pigeon section in 1996. [14]

21st Century

In 2010, Indian police expressed suspicion that a recently captured pigeon from Pakistan might have been carrying a message from Pakistan. [15] In 2015, a pigeon from Pakistan was logged into Indian records as a "suspected spy". [16] In May 2020, another suspected Pakistani spy pigeon was captured by Indian security forces in Jammu and Kashmir. [17] After finding nothing suspicious, India authorities released the pigeon back into Pakistan. [18]

In 2016, a Jordanian border official said at a news conference that Islamic State militants were using homing pigeons to deliver messages to operatives outside its "so called caliphate". [19]

Decorated war pigeons

In total, 32 pigeons were decorated with the Dickin Medal [20] including: [21]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ On May 10, 2021, Doctors Carla Dove and Robert Fleischer took samples of the preserved body of Cher Ami and sent them for DNA analysis. On June 30, 2021, results confirmed that Cher Ami was a cock (male). [7]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cher Ami</span> Homing pigeon used by the U.S. Army Signal Corps

Cher Ami was a male homing pigeon who had been donated by the pigeon fanciers of Britain for use by the U.S. Army Signal Corps in France during World War I and had been trained by American pigeoners. He is famous for delivering a message from an encircled battalion despite serious injuries during the Meuse-Argonne offensive in October 1918.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Homing pigeon</span> Pigeons bred to find their way home

The homing pigeon, also called the mail pigeon or messenger pigeon, is a variety of domestic pigeons derived from the wild rock dove, selectively bred for its ability to find its way home over extremely long distances. The rock dove has an innate homing ability, meaning that it will generally return to its nest using magnetoreception. Flights as long as 1,800 km have been recorded by birds in competitive pigeon racing. Their average flying speed over moderate 965 km distances is around 97 km/h and speeds of up to 160 km/h have been observed in top racers for short distances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dickin Medal</span> Award for animals in wartime

The PDSA Dickin Medal was instituted in 1943 in the United Kingdom by Maria Dickin to honour the work of animals in World War II. It is a bronze medallion, bearing the words "For Gallantry" and "We Also Serve" within a laurel wreath, carried on a ribbon of striped green, dark brown, and pale blue. It is awarded to animals that have displayed "conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while serving or associated with any branch of the Armed Forces or Civil Defence Units". The award is commonly referred to as "the animals' Victoria Cross".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">G.I. Joe (pigeon)</span> US Army homing pigeon in WWII

G.I. Joe was a pigeon noted for his service in the United States Army Pigeon Service. The bird was one of the homing pigeons used during World War II for communication and reconnaissance purposes. G.I. Joe had the name tag Pigeon USA43SC6390. He was hatched in March 1943, in Algiers, North Africa and underwent a training for two-way homing pigeons perfected at Fort Monmouth, in New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Pigeon Service</span> US Army homing pigeon unit

The United States Army Pigeon Service was a unit of the United States Army during World War I and World War II. Their assignment was the training and usage of homing pigeons for communication and reconnaissance purposes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commando (pigeon)</span> Pigeon receiver of the Dickin Medal

Commando was a pigeon used in service with the British armed forces during the Second World War to carry crucial intelligence. The pigeon carried out more than ninety missions during the war, and received the Dickin Medal for three particularly notable missions in 1945. The medal was later sold at an auction for £9,200.

The National Pigeon Service (NPS) was a volunteer civilian organization formed in Britain in 1938 as result of representations made to the Committee of Imperial Defence and the British Government by Major W. H. Osman. During 1939-45 over 200,000 young pigeons were given to the services by the British pigeon breeders of the NPS. The birds were used by the Royal Air Force and the Army and Intelligence Services, Special Section of the Army Pigeon Service. During three and a half years of World War II, 16,554 war pigeons were parachuted onto the continent. One of these was Commando, a red chequer cock bird that became a recipient of the Dickin Medal. Many other NPS pigeons also received the Dickin Medal.

White Vision, also known by her service number SURP.41.L.3089, was a female Second World War homing pigeon who served with the National Pigeon Service and was posted to No. 190 Squadron RAF. She was awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry in 1943 for delivering a message from a flying boat forced to ditch off the coast of Scotland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royal Blue (pigeon)</span>

Royal Blue, also known as NURP.40.GVIS.453, was a male pigeon of the RAF pigeon service. He was awarded the Dickin Medal for bravery in March 1945 for being the first pigeon to deliver a message from an allied forced landed aircraft from the European mainland during World War II. He had originally been housed at the Royal Lofts at Sandringham, and was owned by King George VI.

Gustav, also known as NPS.42.31066, was a pigeon of the RAF pigeon service. He was awarded the Dickin Medal, also known as the animals' Victoria Cross, for bringing the first report of the Normandy landings to the British mainland during the Second World War.

Tyke, also known as 'George' and carrying the service number 1263 MEPS 43, was a male Second World War homing pigeon who was awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry in 1943 for delivering a message from a downed aircrew. His medal was sold for £4,830 ($7,313) in July 2000.

Beach Comber was a Canadian war pigeon who received the Dickin Medal for bravery in service during the Second World War.

Scotch Lass was a carrier pigeon who received the Dickin Medal in June 1945 from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for bravery in service during the Second World War. She accompanied a British agent on a mission into The Netherlands. Immediately after she was released, in September 1944, and still in view of the agent that had released her, she hit telegraph wires. However, she carried on and delivered her message and photographs.

Maquis (NPSNS.42.36392) was a pigeon that received the Dickin Medal in 1945 from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for bravery in service during the Second World War. Maquis was cited for successfully delivering messages from enemy-occupied territory on three occasions. These were in May 1943, February 1944 and June 1944 while serving with the Special Service on the Continent.

All Alone (NURP.39.SDS.39) was a war pigeon who was decorated for bravery in service during the Second World War for delivering an important secret message in one day over a distance of 400 miles (640 km), while serving with the National Pigeon Service in August, 1943.

Cologne was a pigeon who received the Dickin Medal in 1947 from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for bravery in service during the Second World War.

NURP.43.CC.1418 was a pigeon who received the Dickin Medal in 1947 from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for bravery in service during the Second World War. NURP.43 received the citation for the fastest flight carrying a message from the 6th Airborne Division from Normandy on 7 June 1944, while serving with the National Pigeon Service.

DD.43.T.139 was a pigeon who received the Dickin Medal in February 1947 from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for bravery in service during the World War II. Serving with the Australian Army Signal Corps, DD.43.T.139 was cited for homing 40 miles (64 km) to Madang, Papua New Guinea during a heavy tropical storm after being released from an Australian army boat that was foundering. The message allowed a rescue ship to be sent in time to salvage the craft and its cargo of stores and ammunition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pigeoneer (United States Navy)</span>

Pigeoneer, or Pigeon Trainer was a rating in the United States Navy which emerged in the early twentieth century. Pigeoneers were charged with training pigeons to carry messages, as well as feeding and caring for the pigeons. The rating's necessity diminished with the emergence of radio communication; however, the rating remained in the United States Navy until 1961 to provide an emergency communication system. The rating was designated as a Specialist X

References

  1. ↑ "PDSA Dickin Medal: 'the animals' VC', Pigeons — Roll of Honour". PDSA. Archived from the original on 22 September 2008. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
  2. ↑ "Pigeon Heroes of the Great War: Spike". pigeonsofwar.wordpress.com. 26 October 2022.
  3. ↑ name="nytimes">"Carrier pigeons still serve; Even in modern war they do messenger duty", The New York Times. 12 April 1936. p. SM26.
  4. ↑ Levi, Wendell (1977). The Pigeon. Sumter, South Carolina: Levi Publishing Co, Inc. ISBN   0-85390-013-2.
  5. ↑ "Carrier pigeons still serve; even in modern war they do messenger duty", The New York Times. 12 April 1936. p. SM26.
  6. ↑ Cleaver, Hylton (June 1951). "They've earned their corn". Men Only: 101.
  7. ↑ Blazich, Frank (2021-07-15). "He? She? Or just plain Cher Ami? Solving a century-old pigeon mystery". National Museum of American History . Archived from the original on 2021-07-15. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  8. ↑ Jim Greelis. "Pigeons in Military History". World of Wings. Archived from the original on 25 August 2007. Retrieved 13 September 2007.
  9. ↑ "Cher Ami (Dear Friend)". Home of Heroes. Archived from the original on November 5, 2002. Retrieved December 28, 2022.
  10. ↑ Van Wyen, Adrian O. (1969). Naval Aviation in World War I. Washington, D.C.: Chief of Naval Operations. p.  30.
  11. 1 2 Tate, Jackson R, RADM USN (October 1978). "We Rode the Covered Wagon". United States Naval Institute Proceedings: 65.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ↑ Pride, A.M. VADM USN (January 1979). "Comment and Discussion". United States Naval Institute Proceedings: 89.
  13. ↑ Cleaver, Hylton (June 1951). "They've earned their corn". Men Only: 100.
  14. ↑ "Auflösung des Brieftaubendienstes abgeschlossen". Admin.ch. 2 July 1996. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  15. ↑ Express / AFP (28 May 2010). "Fowl play: alleged spy pigeon held in India". Tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  16. ↑ "Pakistanis respond after 'spy pigeon' detained in India". BBC News. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  17. ↑ "Suspected 'spy' pigeon from Pakistan carrying 'coded message' captured in Jammu and Kashmir". Hindustan Times. 26 May 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  18. ↑ "India returns alleged spy bird to Pakistan". DW.COM. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  19. ↑ "Jordanian military official says ISIS using homing pigeons to carry messages". Fox News Channel . Foxnews.com. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  20. ↑ Flying heroes: The true story, PDSA Dickin Medal: 'the animals' VC'
  21. ↑ "PDSA Dickin Medal: 'the animals' VC'". PDSA. Archived from the original on 19 June 2009. Retrieved 31 March 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
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