14. War Pigeons as Communication Giants
Before reliable radio, armies used pigeons to carry crucial messages—sometimes through gunfire—across enemy lines. Birds like Cher Ami saved lives by delivering vital information. Cher Ami, a male homing pigeon, was one of the 600 pigeons donated by the British Home Forces Pigeon Service to the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War I. In October 1918, during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, Cher Ami delivered a critical message despite being shot in the chest and losing his right leg. His bravery led to the rescue of 194 soldiers from the “Lost Battalion.” Cher Ami was awarded the French Croix de Guerre for his heroism. He died in 1919 from his injuries and is now on display at the Smithsonian Institution. (britannica.com)
