Story:
This is Cher Ami, the hero pigeon who saved the lives of 200 American soldiers in WWI.
Other Versions
(Telugu)
Veera Paavuram!
Onti kaalitoh kooda hundhaaga vunna ee paavuram peru Ami. Idhi rendo prapancha yuddhamlo America tarapuna paalgonna veera paavuram. Aa yuddhamlo Colonel Charles Whittlesey toh paatu maro 193 mandhi sainikulu shatruvula kanta padakuda o peddha konda pakkana dhaakkunnaru. Thama paristhithi vivaristhu adhikaarulaku lekha raasina Charles, dhanni Ami toh pampadu. Kaalpula madhya eguruthu pothunna Ami ontloki oka thupaakee gundu dhoosuku poyindhi. Maro bullet dhaani kaalini chchidram chesindhi. Ainaa paduthoo lesthoo elaago adhikaarulaku sandheshaanni andhinchi, andhari praanaalanu kaapadindhi Ami. Aa gaayalathone konnalla tarvaata chanipoyindhi. Kaani charitralo shaasvathanga nilichipoyindhi. ‘National Museum of American History’ lo ippatikee dhaani vigraham teeveegaa nilabadi vundhi.
Analysis:
The story talks about a heartwarming incident during World War One, when a hero Pigeon named Cher Ami saved the lives of 200 American soldiers. The incident is a fact, however, it was 194 survivors of the American battalion that the Pigeon saved, and like few stories said, the incident did not happen during World War Two, but in WWI. Let us learn about the heroic act of Pigeon Cher Ami.
WWI Situation
During World War I, U.S. Army Signal Corps owned 600 birds that were flown in France; “Cher Ami” (meaning “Dear Friend” in French)) was one among them — a registered Black Check Cock carrier Pigeon. Ami was donated by the pigeon fanciers of Britain for use by the U.S. Army Signal Corps in France during World War I and was trained by American pigeoneers. Ami delivered 12 important messages within the American sector at Verdun, France. His last mission was during late 1918, when, according to BuzzFeed.com, 500 American soldiers led by Major Charles Whittlesey of the 77th Infantry Division were trapped in a small depression of a hill, surrounded by Germans. After the first day, only 200 of Whittlesey’s “lost battalion” were left. To make the situation even more bad, their fellow Americans did not know their location and began firing shells at them.
Using Pigeons
In the aforementioned situation, Whittlesey dispatched messages through pigeons. A pigeon carrying the first message, “Many wounded. We cannot evacuate.” was shot down. Then another one with the message, “Men are suffering. Can support be sent?” was also shot down. Then only one homing pigeon, Cher Ami was left, and was dispatched with a note in a canister on his leg.
As soon as Ami flew up, the Germans fired on him. Amidst the firing, Ami took about 65 minutes to fly through the 25 miles back to Allied lines. When he arrived at his coop (cage), Cher Ami was shot in his breast and blinded in one eye, one of his legs was also shattered, to which the life-saving message in a metal case was still attached. You can read the message of the transcript below:
PIGEON MESSAGE
RECEIVED AT MESSAGE CENTER 4:22PM
TO C. O. 308th INFANTRY
FROM 1st BN 308th INFANTRY
WE ARE ALONG THE ROAD PARALELL 276.4. OUR AR ILLERY IS DROPPING A BARRAGE DIRECTLY ON US. FOR HEAVENS SAKE STOP IT.
WHITTLESAY
MAJ 308th
BIRD RELEASED 3 P.M.
RECEIVED AT LOFT 4:05 PM.
DISTRIBUTION
G 3
G 3 BULLETIN BOARD
C OF S
G 2
152 FIELD ARTILLERY BRIGADE
FILE
194 Lives Saved
After receiving the message from badly wounded Cher Ami, the American Allies stopped firing shells at the Lost Battalion, and after few hours, 194 survivors of the battalion were eventually able to break out of enemy territory and return safe behind American lines. Medics were able to save Cher Ami‘s life but not his leg.
Awards
For his brave dedication and heroic act between the forts of Verdun, the Pigeon Cher Ami was awarded the French “Croix de Guerre” with Palm. However, Cher Ami died in 1919 as a result of his battle wounds. In recognition of his extraordinary service during World War I, Cher Ami was later inducted into the Racing Pigeon Hall of Fame in 1931 and also received a gold medal from the Organized Bodies of American Racing Pigeon Fanciers. After his death, Cher Ami’s one-legged body was stuffed and put on display at the National Museum of American History, Behring Center, in the exhibition “The Price of Freedom: Americans At War.” You can see the original picture of the brave bird Cher Ami above. Dedication certainly earns rewards.
Hoax or Fact:
Fact with some misinformation.
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