Class Year
2020
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Soldiers of the First World War came in all shapes and sizes. The humble homing pigeon is one of the more unique and critical examples of such. They served in the armed forces of both the Allies and the Central Powers. Used as a last-ditch form of communication, the homing pigeons were exceptional in the work of sending messages back and forth between the battle lines. Little has been written about their vital role and even less in the rigorous training the birds and their handlers both endured. Understanding their training is critical to understanding how the homing pigeons performed so well under the extreme conditions of combat.
Recommended Citation
Katzung Hokanson, Brandon R.
(2018)
"Saving Grace on Feathered Wings: Homing Pigeons in the First World War,"
The Gettysburg Historical Journal: Vol. 17, Article 7.
Available at:
https://cupola.gettysburg.edu/ghj/vol17/iss1/7