This is a story of a very special animal, more specifically a pigeon. During the first world war, all kinds of animals were used in combat, such as dogs or horses. So to pigeons, which were used to deliver messages like they've done for years before then. Most of the time however, the heroic deeds of these determined animals were overseen, but not so the action of this particular carrier pigeon, which served at one of the most horrible batles in human history, the battle of Verdun.

At the start of June, the Germans launched a new offensive uppon the French forces at Verdun. This offensive however, was not quite like all the others. The Germans for the first time made use of a new type of gas, phosgene, develloped to render French gasmasks useless and force them to retreat. Confidence in this new weapon was high, and the Kaiser himself was rumored to be near the front to witness it's succes first hand. However, the French gasmasks performed better than anticipated, but this didn't stop the Germans from creating a large gap in the French defenses.

That same day, German forces overran Fort Vaux, which was next to defenseless since it's outer twin 75mm turret was destroyed by a 420mm Big Bertha shell. The 300 men strong French garrison inside however was armed to the teeth. They managed to stop the German advance through the fort, setting up machinegun defenses within the forts galleries. The Germans then proceeded to try and smoke the French out, by firing flamethrowers through each and every opening they could find, yet the French survived.

It was at this moment that Major Raynal, commander of Fort Vaux, sent out his very last carrier pigeon to plea for help. The bird, somewhat disorientated due to the effects of the smoke and gas, at first returned to it's cage, but after a second attempt it flew of to a command post in the city of Verdun. Uppon arival, the pigeon delivered it's message, but then collapsed and died mere moments afterwards. The brave animal gave it's all in these dire moments, and was declared a hero. It received a posthumous Legion of Honour, and is preserved in a museum to this day.

So goes the story of this very special animal. It reminds us of all the couragious animals that gave their lives in combat, following orders without hessitating. They to must be remembered, for it was them who relieved many a soldier from yet another dangerous courier mission, it was them who made combat just a tad easier to bear, it was them who did much of the dirty work for us. May they rest in peace, horses, dogs, pigeons and other animals alike.