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Carrier Pigeons Go to War

Cher Ami saved the day!
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Soldier with carrier pigeon
© US National Archives - Science Library

In World War I, carrier pigeons were crucial in relaying messages from the front to positions behind the lines. The most renowned was Cher Ami - or Dear Friend - flown by the US Army Signal Corps during the Battle of Verdun in France. The message Cher Ami carried on October 4, 1918, was vital in saving hundreds of American soldiers of the now famed "Lost Battalion" of the 77th Infantry.

Support for BirdNote comes from American Bird Conservancy and Bringing Back the Birds, a photo book by Owen Deutsch on the importance of protecting birdscapes. Available at Amazon.com.

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BirdNote®
Carrier Pigeons Go To War

Written by Bob Sundstrom
 
This is BirdNote!

In today’s world of texting and Skyping, it’s amazing to think that, not long ago, the most reliable means of long-distance communication was provided by birds. Those birds were carrier pigeons – ‘specially trained members of the same species as our familiar city pigeons. [Rock Pigeons calling]

The time of their utmost value was World War I. [Cannon fire] Although messages could be sent over field phones, conditions of war – particularly at the front, where battles raged – often made laying phone wires impossible. Pigeons were crucial in relaying messages from the front to positions behind the lines. This was done by enclosing a note in a tiny canister attached to the bird’s leg.

[pigeon taking off]

The most renowned carrier pigeon was Cher Ami – or Dear Friend – flown by the U.S. Army Signal Corps during the Battle of Verdun in France. [Cannon fire] The message Cher Ami carried on October 4, 1918, was vital in saving hundreds of American soldiers of the now-famed “Lost Battalion” of the 77th Infantry. Cher Ami delivered the message despite being badly wounded, losing an eye and a leg to German gunfire. This esteemed pigeon later received the French Croix de Guerre, one of the country’s greatest honors. [pigeon cooing]  

We’d like to thank the individuals who underwrite BirdNote. Your gift large or small helps make this show possible.

###

Bird sounds provided by The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. Recorded by A.L. Priori.
Pigeon taking off recorded by M. Stewart, Naturesound.org
Producer: John Kessler
Executive Producer: Chris Peterson
© 2014 Tune In to Nature.org     December 2016/2019     Narrator:  Michael Stein
ID# 121906carrierKPLU          carrier-01b

Bob Sundstrom
Writer
Michael Stein
Narrator
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Related Resources

Make a gift to BirdNote - and thanks!Read about Cher Ami - the pigeon who saved the "Lost Battalion"

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Rock Pigeon (Columba livia)

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