11/11/2024
The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month marked the end of the First World War. On this day, we honour and remember the multitude of lives, both human and animal, that were lost and that have since been lost in war.
On October 2, 1918, the 77th division launched an attack into Argonne, during which the 308th Infantry became separated from their allied forces. Cut off from support, they were surrounded, resulting in the need to fight off repeated attacks. To make matters worse, they found themselves enduring friendly artillery due to mistaken position coordinates.
It was in these conditions that Cher Ami, a carrier pigeon, was released with an urgent message which read โWe are along the road parallel 276.4. Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heavenโs sake stop it.โ
Shortly after taking flight, Cher Ami was shot down. The bullet shot through the leg carrying the crucial message, nearly amputating it, and lodged in his chest. Blinded in one eye and severely injured, Cher Ami took flight once more and successfully delivered the message to base, 25 miles away.
While the shelling had stopped shortly before Cher Ami arrived, his message relayed the Lost Battalionโs exact position, which aided in their eventual relief and the safe return of 194 men. Military veterinarians worked hard to save Cher Ami but sadly, he succumbed to his wounds on June 13th.
Cher Ami received the Croix de Guerre โ with palm from the French government and was posthumously awarded the Animals in War and Peace Medal of Bravery in 2019.