GI Joe the pigeon saved 169 Brigade from being bombed.

Discussion in 'Italy' started by Owen, Mar 31, 2024.

  1. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    I'm currently reading " The Genius of Birds" by Jennifer Ackerman , on page 238 she says a pigeon called GI Joe saved a British Brigade from being bombed by friendly forces.

    I had a quick Google & found this.
    G.I. Joe (pigeon) - Wikipedia

    169th (3rd London) Brigade - Wikipedia

    Anyone have anymore info, war diaries etc of the units involved.
    Which battalion was in Calvi Vecchia ?

    I see one of the links on the wiki page takes us to Lee's website . aka PsyWar.Org

    Carrier Pigeon 'GI Joe' (arcre.com)

    Lee posted that report on here too.
    Pigeons | Page 4 | WW2Talk
     
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  2. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    GI Joe was posthumously awarded the Animals in War & Peace Medal of Bravery in 2019 to accompany his Dickin Medal .
    53158602660_fd6cff4859_k.jpg
    (Photo credit Photra99 Flickr)


    Kye
     
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  3. Gary Tankard

    Gary Tankard Well-Known Member

    If true, it would have been 2/7 Queens, but they don't reach Calvi Vecchia until 19th October.

    2_7_Queens_Oct_43_0009.JPG

    I'm also not sure about the 'saving' civilians seeing as they had shelled targets in the village the day before (this from 56 CRA), Uncle Target at 1020hrs.

    65_Fd_Regt_RA_Sep43_0219.JPG

    There is nothing mentioned about cancelled air strikes in the 56 Division message log or the summary.

    56_Div_Oct43_WO169_88110390.JPG

    56_Div_Oct43_WO169_88110181.JPG

    The 2/6, 2/7 Queens war diary or the 169 Brigade WD do not mention any cancelled airstrikes (or pigeons).

    Far be it from me to deny a pigeon his place in history but....
     
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  4. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    More heroic pigeons.

     
  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Thanks for posting those pages Gary, I can read them on my laptop better this morning than my phone last night.

    I suppose the pigeon would get more of a mention by the US forces involved.
     
  6. Gary Tankard

    Gary Tankard Well-Known Member

    I did just read the original message and it states he flew from 10 Corps HQ. I have the 10 Corps WDs for September and November but not October yet. Maybe there could be something in there.
     

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