War Pigeons in World War II

By World War II communications were greatly improved but pigeons were still used to supplement other types of communication. They were used in emergencies and also when a person was too close to the enemy lines and did not want to be detected. 

Mary of Exeter was a racing pigeon gone war pigeon during WWII. She was injured repeatedly taking a gun shot wound, attack by a hawk, and shrapnel wound, recovering each time. The pigeon recieved 22 stiches and a leather collar. She lived another 10 years.

Paddy the Irish pigeon was the first Pigeon to deliver news of the successful D-day. it took him four hours and five minutes to fly the 230 miles across the English channel (thats about 57.5 miles per hour for four hours strait)

In 1942, Winkie was thrown free of her cage on a crashed and sinking bomber plane. She flew 129 miles to Scotland. Her plane was located and the crew saved from the small cold dingy they had been huddling in. These men threw a feast for Winkie and her owner.

Born in 1943, G.I. Joe sent messages for the Americans during WWII. The British were trying to capture Colvi Vecchia, the Germans unexpectedly fell back and the British entered the city with little resistance. Their were plans for the Americans to bomb the town later that day, and all communications failed. The city that was scheduled to be bombed was now filled with British soldiers. G.I. Joe was sent out in a final attempt to call off the bombing, he flew the 25 miles back to base, and arrived just in time to stop the planes from taking off. He saved more than 100 soldiers from friendly fire.

G.I.Joe