K-9 History: Combat - Soviets & Axis! http://www.uswardogs.org/id26.html Interesting that the Red Army used canines for suicide missions against tanks. I also recall Glantz had a section of his "Colossus Reborn" book to where the USSR used dogs to sniff out mines. I hadn't heard of the usage of dogs for finding wounded and for transport though. The German use of canines was largely as instruments of terror. The US also used dogs for scouting, messaging, mine detection, sentry duty, and transport; http://www.uswardogs.org/id24.html . The article states that dogs were most usefull in the Pacific theater for detecting enemy movements in the close in Jungle environments-a lesson that was not lost in a later US war. http://www.olive-drab.com/od_wardogs_vietnam.php
I think we had a discussion on the 'Suicidal Russian Anti-Tank Dogs' a while back. Dogs have been used for years in search and rescue, along with message and load-carrying roles. It generally isn't as well documented in World War II (for instance, I didn't know the US Army used them in the pacific). Any idea if there are any books going into more details etc?
You can check out this web site. Yorkie Doodle Dandy by William A. Wynne • Yorkshire Terrier War Dog Hero - Official Web Site Mr. Wynne lives about 10 miles from me. (Have never met him though....) There have been several write ups on him in the local newspaper and I do have a copy of his book that he sent to me after the flood of 2007.
Here's one: Amazon.com: Always Faithful: A Memoir of the Marine Dogs of WWII: William W. Putney: Books Here is a brief excerpt: Marine Dogs of World War II A thread with some info: http://www.ww2f.com/wwii-general/30638-think-you-could-have-been-soldier-k-9-corps.html
Oh yeah I meant to include that thread as well! I just glanced at it last night. http://www.ww2f.com/wwii-general/19965-russian-dogs-destroying-tanks.html http://www.soviet-empire.com/1/military/anti-tank/dog_mine/
There are some movies; Amazon.com: War Dogs of the Pacific: Harris Done: Movies & TV and here is an article; http://www.qmfound.com/K-9.htm Interesting that the WWII pooches were returned-the Vietnam era dogs were killed-a thing a former handler I know mourns unto this day. A Youtube with dog warriors from several US conflicts; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A262KDpd7iU&feature=related JeffinMNUSA
Yeah that was a sad state of affairs. I remember watching a documentary (that I recommend) about the differences between the conflicts and bring homes. The WWII dogs often were adopted by handlers or even the general public. The Viet Nam era dogs didn't fare so well. I think the primary "reason" the govt. used for not bringing back the dogs was the chance of bringing disease back. The film, War Dogs: America's Forgotten Heroes, is quite moving. The narrator is Martin Sheen and there are several first hand accounts by the handlers themselves. It was quite upsetting listening to them talking about having to put there own dogs down, rather than having a chance to bring them back home. War Dogs: America's Forgotten Heroes (1999) (TV)
Doberman Pinchers were used widely in the Pacific due to the fact they are alert, have excellent hearing, detect movement from far away, and are probably the best breed of dog on the earth. I wish I could put a pedometer on my dobe and see how many miles he walks a day "on patrol" in the yard. He wakes me up at night to go out and make a couple laps just to make sure all is secure. My dad's buddy was a K9 handler in Vietnam, Spec Forces, and was awarded the Silver Star for actions there in 1969. His dog was killed on the mission and he says to this day he hurt more for that dog's loss than he did for anyone else he knew that was killed.
Here is a little more from a U.S. intelligence report: British - - British Training and Use of Dogs (WWII U.S. Intelligence Bulletin, January 1943) German - - Miscellaneous: Use of Dogs (WWII U.S. Intelligence Bulletin, October 1942)
I found some more: The United States War Dogs Association MILITARY DOGS Military Working Dogs Not WWII, but good to know Military Dogs Get New Vet Hospital: Discovery News War Dog K-9 History: The Dogs Of War! From The Northern Echo: News, Sport, Business, Leisure from the North East and North Yorkshire. - And unleash the dolphins of war Dogs have been widely used: by the Romans as warriors; by the Russians as suicide dogs, throwing themselves under enemy tanks with bombs strapped to their backs, and detecting mines and delivering messages in First World War trenches. One Welsh terrier, Ricky, was scarred by a shell exploding three feet away from him, but still carried on with his mine work. Another dog was found to have been carrying messages for weeks with a bullet in his lungs and shrapnel in his spine. During the Second World War, Gander the Newfoundland dog served with distinction as Canadian forces tried to defend the island of Lye Mun from the Japanese, with his heroics recognised in the award of the Dickin Medal, known as the animals' VC. Gander perished when he chased and picked up a grenade and carried it towards the Japanese, saving the lives of dozens of Canadian soldiers. Rob, a collie, is thought to be the most decorated dog in history, for his exploits in making more than 20 parachute landings with the SAS in North Africa and Italy during the Second World War. With a parachute strapped to his back, he had the advantage over other canines of being able to contain his impulse to bark during missions. Produced with Digital Photo Slide Show - http://www.digitalphotoslideshow.com - © James M. Voelker Interestingly, aside from the story about a heroic mascot dog in the Canadian Forces of WWII, I didn't find any mention of them officially being with them.
