Discovering the History and Impact of Messenger Pigeon Service

The messenger pigeon service has a rich history that dates back thousands of years, with evidence of pigeon-based messaging systems found in ancient civilizations such as Egypt and Greece.

Pigeons were used extensively during wartime to send messages between soldiers and commanders, with the first recorded use of pigeons in battle being in ancient Greece around 2500 BC.

Messenger pigeons played a crucial role in the outcome of several wars, including World War I and World War II, where they were used to deliver vital messages in situations where other forms of communication were impossible.

In addition to their use in warfare, messenger pigeons were also used in peacetime for a variety of purposes, including delivering mail and carrying messages between governments and organizations.

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The History of Messenger Pigeon Service is a fascinating one. On September 11, 1914, fifty pigeons were handed over to British headquarters by the French authorities, marking the beginning of a great branch of the Signal Service.

These early pigeons were used for intelligence purposes only, and their employment is rather uncertain. However, it's known that the army requisitioned control of all flying of pigeons in British-held areas as a defense against potential espionage.

Under favourable conditions, a carrier pigeon can cover a distance of 15-200 miles at an average air speed of 30 miles per hour.

In September 1914, fifty pigeons were handed over to British headquarters by the French authorities, marking the beginning of the messenger pigeon service.

These pigeons were used for intelligence purposes only, but their employment would eventually grow into a large branch of the Signal Service. By 1918, the service numbered 20,000 birds with a personnel of 380 experts.

No less than 90,000 men in battalions and other units had been trained to care for and fly pigeons, highlighting the significant investment made in this service.

The British Intelligence Corps controlled these birds, and the army requisitioned control of all flying of pigeons in British-held areas as a defence against potential espionage.

Birds were supplied from home or obtained or requisitioned overseas, with the Saint-Omer district and French Flanders being notable for their pigeon fanciers and lofts.

Carrier pigeons could cover a distance of 15-200 miles at an average air speed of 30 miles per hour, but required careful conditioning and training to perform optimally.

The Messenger Pigeon Service expanded rapidly during World War I, with the British alone employing over 100,000 homing pigeons.

The service was so crucial that the British government established a Pigeon Corps to oversee the training and deployment of these birds. They were used to carry messages between soldiers on the front lines and command centers, often in areas where other forms of communication were unreliable or impossible.

In 1918, a pigeon named Cher Ami delivered a message that saved the lives of 194 American soldiers, earning her the French Croix de Guerre medal.

The Messenger Pigeon Service continued to grow in importance during the interwar period, with many countries investing in their own pigeon breeding programs and training facilities.

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The British government issued special gallantry awards to some of the pigeons that played a crucial role in delivering vital information during World War I.

These awards were a testament to the pigeons' bravery and dedication to their work.

The Dickin Medal, which is often referred to as the "Animal Victoria Cross", was awarded to pigeons that showed exceptional courage and skill in delivering messages.

In total, 32 pigeons received the Dickin Medal for their contributions to the war effort.

Pigeons were trained to fly back to their lofts with messages attached to their legs, often under intense enemy fire.

The impact of messenger pigeon service was significant, with messages delivered in just a few hours over long distances.

Pigeons could fly up to 80 kilometers per hour, making them a reliable choice for communication.

In fact, the fastest recorded delivery time for a message by pigeon was just 1 hour and 14 minutes.

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This speed was crucial in situations like war, where timely communication was a matter of life and death.

Pigeons were used extensively by the military during World War I and II, with over 600,000 birds used in France alone.

The use of pigeons in war helped to save countless lives and changed the course of history.

Pigeon service was also used in other areas, such as racing and entertainment.

In the UK, pigeon racing was a popular sport, with pigeons competing in organized events.

The use of pigeons in messenger service declined with the advent of modern technology, such as radio and email.

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