Pigeon Message from Capt. Whittlesey to the Commanding Officer of the 308th Infantry
10/4/1918
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This is a message delivered by pigeon from the commander of the "Lost Battalion" to the headquarters of the 308th Infantry requesting a halt of the artillery barrage that was causing numerous friendly fire casualties.
Additional details from our exhibits and publications
On October 4, 1918, Maj. Charles Whittlesey sent this message to his commander via a carrier pigeon named Cher Ami. Whittlesey’s troops, sometimes known as the Lost Battalion, had penetrated German lines during an attack near Charlevaux, France. They were quickly surrounded by the Germans and suffered many casualties—some from friendly fire. In a few blunt words, Whittlesey calls for a halt to the bombardment.
This primary source comes from the Records of the American Expeditionary Forces (World War I).
National Archives Identifier: 595541
Full Citation: Pigeon Message from Capt. Whittlesey to the Commanding Officer of the 308th Infantry; 10/4/1918; Records of the American Expeditionary Forces (World War I), Record Group 120. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/pigeon-message-from-capt-whittlesey-to-the-commanding-officer-of-the-308th-infantry, April 28, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.