Since ancient times, military pigeon mail has been actively used in warfare. Even in the mid-20th century, these winged messengers continued their important work, rescuing soldiers when the most advanced radio stations failed. Pigeon communication became an important link in Moscow's defense system. In 1944, a special pigeon communication company was formed on the 2nd Baltic Front. Five hundred pigeons, overseen by 80 soldiers, were trained to fly in 22 directions within a radius of 10-15 km. In six months, they delivered over 4,000 pigeon messages. The Germans themselves used pigeon communication and understood the damage that these feathered soldiers could inflict in the hands of partisans and resistance fighters. Refusing to surrender pigeons to the commandant's offices was punishable by death in the occupied territories. To intercept Soviet pigeons, the enemy kept trained falcons and hawks. A report has been preserved about the hard fate of pigeon number 48, attacked by a hawk but still reaching its destination: "One leg was broken and hanging by a thin piece of skin, the back was scratched, and the chest was covered in dried blood. The pigeon was breathing heavily and gasping for air with its beak open. After delivering the message from the scouts to the headquarters, the pigeon was operated on by a veterinarian and saved."