Fire cats go!

A warfare manual by the siege warfare professional Franz Helm from around 1530 includes a curious illustration of a cat carrying fire. The manual suggests that when left with no other options, capture a pigeon or cat from the local area, and strap a bomb or fire to its back in a container. The idea was that the freaked out animal would run home and light the city on fire. However cats being contrary as they are, would probably run under your ammunition wagon or snuggle onto your commanders lap. Which is probably why we don't have any record of fire cats used in battle.

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

War Pigeons in World War I

During WWI,  before two way radios were available, messages were often sent by wired transmitter. However, when going into enemy territory, or covering rough terrain, lines could not be laid and in came the very important carrier pigeon.  Pigeons were transported in backpacks and even in tanks. and they carried their messages in tiny metal tubes tied to their leg or were fitted with cameras to spy on the enemy. War pigeons led very dangerous lives, the enemy often attempted to shoot them down in order to intercept and stop messages. Despite this the birds were highly effective and went on thousands of missions.

"The Mocker" was born in 1917, he took 52 trips before being wounded. On his final trip he lost his left eye and part of his head, but he made it anyway. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Croix de Guere. He died at the ripe old age of 20 (15 is a good age for a captive pigeon), and was the last of the pigeon war heroes to die.

In 1918 American forces were trapped in a small depression surrounded by Germans hiding in a ravine. They sent many pigeons to call for help but the 500 men were quickly falling under German fire, and only 200 men were left by the second day. When the Americans arrived that afternoon they began shelling the area where they thought the Germans were, little did they know they were dropping them right on their own people. The Major sent out their last carrier pigeon, Cher Ami, telling them to stop. As the remaining troops watched Cher Ami climb the Germans tried their hardest to shoot him down. Somehow the little bird escaped and flew 25 miles in 25 minutes and delivered his message. 

    "we are along the road parallel to 276.3" "our artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us" "for Heaven's sake, stop it."

 Cher Ami saved 194 lives and was awarded the Croix de Guere. He had been shot through the chest and through the leg, the mesage capsule was hanging by a few ligaments. He died a year later

In 1918, President Wilson the Pigeon was experienced at sending messages about artillery locations from tanks. When his unit came under attack he flew 25 miles in 25 minutes and where he delivered the call for backup. His left leg was completely shot off and he had a huge wound in his chest.

Kaiser was  born in 1917, a German pigeon captured by American Forces, Kaiser was a pigeon POW. Kaiser was enlisted in the carrier pigeon breeding program, he had more than 100 children who participated in both world wars. He lived to 33, he is the oldest pigeon on record and the only pigeon who participated in both world wars.

The phases of the 30 years war

The thirty years war went through four phases. I have previously discussed the Defenestration of Prague  you can see it here. This happened during the Bohemian Phase. The second is the Danish phase. The third phase was the Swedish phase, many of the mercenaries hired in this phase were Scottish. The last phase was the french phase. The last major battle of the war took place in Lens, France. The French were outnumbered but won the battle due to their superior cavalry.