The History of Carrier Pigeons and When They Were Used

Carrier pigeons have a rich history that dates back thousands of years. They were used by the ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, and Greeks for messaging purposes.

In ancient Rome, carrier pigeons played a crucial role in military communications, allowing messages to be sent quickly and efficiently over long distances. This was especially important during times of war.

The use of carrier pigeons continued through the Middle Ages and into the 19th century, with many countries employing them for official messaging purposes. They were particularly valued for their ability to navigate back to their home lofts, often traveling hundreds of miles.

Carrier pigeons were a vital part of military communications during World War I, with over 100,000 pigeons used by the British Army alone.

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Carrier pigeons played a crucial role in World War I.

The Passenger Pigeon, once a bird species in the hundreds of millions, went extinct by September 1914 due to hunting.

Carrier pigeons were used by the Americans during WWI to deliver vital messages. A famous example is Cher Ami, a British-trained pigeon that saved the lives of the Lost Battalion by delivering a message amidst enemy fire.

Cher Ami flew 25 miles in 25 minutes, suffering a blow to the foot and head in the process.

Carrier pigeons were trained to detect gas attacks, and pigeon tenders would cover their cages with gas masks to protect them.

Cher Ami was decorated by the French government for its heroic actions and is now on display at the Smithsonian's Museum of American History.

The heroic actions of carrier pigeons like Cher Ami and G.I. Joe are a testament to their bravery and importance in wartime communication.

Here are some key statistics about carrier pigeons in WWI:

Carrier pigeons were widely used to send messages before wireless networks existed. They were a reliable means of communication during natural disasters and daily operations.

In the eastern Indian state of Orissa, 400 police stations relied on the Police Pigeon Service to communicate daily and during natural disasters. The service was retired in March 2002.

Carrier pigeons were even used to deliver news and stock prices between Brussels and Aachen in 1850. A fleet of over 45 pigeons delivered the news in 2 hours, beating the 6-hour train journey.

306, a racing pigeon, holds the record for the longest pigeon flight by flying 7200-miles over sea, mountains, and desert from Arras, France to Saigon, Vietnam in 24 days.

Walter Fricker started the world's first airmail service – Great Barrier Pigeongram Service – in 1897 in New Zealand. The service operated between The Great Barrier Reef and New Zealand till 1908.

During the Siege of Paris, pigeons were used to send messages to loved ones when communication was cut off for months. The Parisians sent the pigeons out via balloon to send messages and receive responses.

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Carrier pigeons played a crucial role in World War I, delivering vital messages that saved countless lives. The Passenger Pigeon, once a common sight, went extinct by September 1914 after being hunted out of existence. This highlights the importance of conservation efforts to protect bird species that serve our country well.

One remarkable example of a carrier pigeon's heroism during WWI is Cher Ami, a female pigeon that saved the Lost Battalion with a heroic flight. Cher Ami was a female, as confirmed by a century-old mystery solved by the National Museum of American History.

Carrier pigeons were used in various battles, including the Battle of Waterloo, where they delivered critical messages. The Rothschild Fortune was also saved thanks to a carrier pigeon's efforts during this battle.

A pigeon tender in WW1 shared a personal anecdote about how pigeons were used during gas attacks. The pigeons' keen sense of gas detection would alert the tender, who would then cover their cage with a specially designed 'gas mask function' cover to protect them from harm.

Here are some key events where carrier pigeons made a significant impact during WWI:

Carrier pigeons played a crucial role in wartime communication, especially in the 1940s when mobile phones and emails weren't around.

It was very difficult for people to send messages back then, and pigeons certainly saved numerous lives by flying through really dreadful situations.

One pigeon, GI Joe, saved over 1,000 lives after delivering a message that a village about to be bombed had been recaptured by British forces.

Pigeons like Mary of Exeter were also used to send top secret messages, and they received special treatment for their bravery - Mary got 22 stitches after being injured in the line of duty.

These birds were incredibly important for getting vital information through during wartime.