Okay, its an old story, perhaps you came across it when you were in kindergarten or so but if you know the kind of person i am and the joy i derive in telling stories you will have to think twice before scrolling down to the next post.

So, if you have your eyes on this paragraph then you have decided to stay, i promise not to take your time. Sit back, tighten your sit belt as i take you back into the times you missed on earth.

Long ago, during the first world war, it was September 1918, the world was approaching the end of one of its most dreadful war. One of the largest battles was going on, the Meuse-Argonne Offensive It was fought from September 26, 1918, until the Armistice on November 11, a total of 47 day. Over 1.2 million soldiers were present for the battle which will mark the end of world war 1.

Somewhere within the hills, a group of 500 soldiers led by Major Charles Whittlesey were stuck, unable to move forward or backwards with the German troops surrounding them from every angle, after fighting for hard, still no way they started receiving bombardments from there fellow comrades who were very far away from them and they were unaware that the group were stuck in behind enemy lines. The bombardments continued and many were being killed, others injured and so many more incapacitated. The major sent out messages with the first pigeon which was shot down, the second was shot down too by German soldiers, he had only one pigeon left and that was Cher Ami, a blue check female pigeon. As the last hope of survival, he drafted out a note saying.

“We are along the road parallel to 276.4. Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heaven’s sake, stop it”.

Immediately the bird flew up, the German soldiers spotted it and rained up slugs of bullets over so as to bring her down. They succeeded in bringing her down but, as if the Pigeon knew that the lives of the soldiers all depends on the letter he was carrying he rose again, with the bullet wounds that have shattered her left leg, leaving it dangling just a tendon, she was blinded in one eye. A bullet had also passed through her breast which ordinarily would have being her death.

The pigeon managed to get to her coop, delivered the message and the whole bombardments stopped. The remaining soldiers were now able to fight their way out from within the German lines. She finally succeeded in saving the lives of the 197 soldiers who were left.

The surviving 197 soldiers, made sure that their little bird received the best medical care and carved him a tiny wooden leg to replace the one that was blown off. The pigeon was awarded the Croix de Guerre Medal with a palm Oak Leaf Cluster for her heroic service in delivering 12 important messages in Verdun. Cher Ami became a famous hero, and he was personally seen off by General Pershing on his boat voyage back home to the states.

Cher Ami died a year later due to complications from her injuries. She was stuffed and is kept on display at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. till today.

SOURCE:
http://www.naijanovaz.com/meet-the-pigeon-tha.html

Interesting!

What a heroine

Tragedy. Out of 500 soldiers, 197 survived.

Very sad the amount of soldiers were not up to 500

Nche95: Tragedy. Out of 500 soldiers, 197 survived.