You’ve heard of MI5 & MI6 but what about MI14 Pigeon Spies?

US secret agent and homing pigeon G. I. Joe (officially: US Army Pigeon USA43SC6390) was flying dangerous sorties in Europe on behalf of the British government when he saved the lives of 100 Allied soldiers in WWII, becoming the first non-British recipient of the distinguished medal for animal bravery. 

G. I. Joe isn’t the only brave bird, of course. Pigeons had been a part of nearly every European army since the 1880s. Royal Air Force carrier pigeon Winkie saved the lives of the four-man Beaufort Bomber aircrew when they ditched in the sea more than 100 miles from their base in 1943. Mary of Exeter completed four successful missions from France despite her injuries from the Nazis’ specially trained hawks.

G. I. Joe was a legend, however.

Life and death pigeon spy operations‍

The situation couldn’t have been more dangerous in October 1943 when the Allies liberated the Italian village of Calvi Vecchia earlier than anticipated. An air attack was scheduled to beat back German fighters that same day, so the London infantry’s advance meant Allied forces were in danger of being bombed by 'friendly fire'.

British 10th Army HQ dispatched G. I. Joe with a life-and-death message to call off the bombing attack. Joe flew 20 miles in 20 minutes, reaching Allied lines just as the bombers were preparing to take off. His heroics prevented the loss of countless civilian lives as well as Allied soldiers.

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