You’ve heard of warplanes and probably even warhorses, but war pigeons?! That’s right! During World War I, both the Allied and Axis powers utilized messenger pigeons to a shocking degree. During the first global engagement over 100,000 messages were sent via pigeon; an astounding 95% of those crucial dispatches reached their intended target!
Pigeons actually played a vital role during WWI. armedforcesmuseeum
It might seem insane but in the early 20th-century communication technology had not advanced to the point where the military could reliably count on new-fangled inventions like the telegraph or the telephone. Therefore, the French suggested homing pigeons. While the U.S power was circumspect, they were willing to give their feathered friends a chance. Here’s the history of messenger pigeons during WWI.
Critical information that saved lives was often transferred via pigeons.
History Of Messenger Pigeons
Obviously, the history of winged rodents being employed goes back to biblical times. By WWI the United States military had mostly given up on the concept. Americans had used them in previous engagements but ran into issues with hawks. Nevertheless, the French insisted, claiming that “Pigeons…can work regularly, and in spite of bombardments, dust, smoke or fog, can bring accurate details concerning the situation of the troops.”
The Western Front: Pigeons helped keep commanders = date on the action and enemy movement from far behind the front lines. (National Archives)
Pigeons In Every Branch
Despite America’s cynicism over messenger pigeons, the powers that be gave them a try. The U.S military hired two pigeon-raising experts, David C. Buscall and John L. Carney to bring over 800 flying messengers to Europe. Very quickly, they proved their importance and were introduced to nearly every branch of service.
Pigeons were incredibly reliable despite the chaotic atmosphere of war.
Critical Messengers
According to the National Archives, "Launched mid-mission, the birds would fly back to their coops and update ground commanders on what the pilots had observed. Tanks carried the birds in order to relay the advance of individual units. Even after the introduction of the radio, pigeons were often the easiest way to help coordinate tank units without exposing the men to dangerous fire.”
The birds were especially useful on the frontlines, used to provide key information to commanders in the rear. The birds became so important that ground troops would even carry a backpack capable of housing four pigeons, along with message tubes, and a gas-proof cover.
The heroic pigeon named President Wilson. abcnews
Incredibly Accurate
Trained from five weeks old, war pigeons could carry messages roughly 10 miles and return to their mobile lofts with unbelievable precision. As troops advanced deeper into Europe, the pigeons in their mobile “message centers” advanced with them. Incredibly, thousands of these feathered homing beacons could make it back despite not even knowing where their troops were stationed, even if the unit had moved after a bird was sent off to deliver a message! Experts believe that the birds make use of low-frequency sound waves to map their environments, enabling them to find their way from location to location.
President Wilson continuing his duty despite taking bullet fire from the enemy saved lives.
Pigeon President Wilson
Undoubtedly, the most incredible story of a war pigeon came from a bird dubbed “President Wilson.” On October 5th, 1918, the Tank Corps came under heavy attack during the Battle of Saint Mihiel. The troops desperately needed artillery support and dispatched “President Wilson” in hopes he could make it back and relay their grave situation.
Over his exhaustive 25-mile journey, “President Wilson” was spotted by German troops who opened fire. Wilson was hit multiple times, losing his leg but managed to make the journey in a mind-blowing 25 minutes. Support arrived for his troops who survived thanks to their feathered savior.
Perhaps even more amazingly, “resident Wilson” survived his ordeal and lived another 11 years. After his passing, the legendary bird was taxidermied and given to the Smithsonian Institution before he was passed on to the U.S Army in 2008. He remains proudly showcased as a reminder that even the smallest figures can become heroes.
