The dog has served man for centuries his progress and use have changed with the
times
but always he has shown adaptability to specific tasks
in the military field his tactical value has been recognized for a long time by
the Army's
of other nations. But it was not until the present conflict that our own armed
forces began to
train and employ dogs for duty with combat units
under the guidance of the Remount Section of the Quartermaster Corps
the carefully chosen canines receive basic and specialized training which
toughens and prepares them for definite assignments under fire
dogs of many breeds rallied to the colors. A hunting dog is relieved of his
other duties for the duration and begins the grim
manhunt after the common enemy the dogs natural instincts make
cover and concealment easy lessons. Kill or be killed is again instinctive he's fast
and elusive
intelligent and willing. His hatred of the foe complete. Loyalty and devotion to his job
are commonplace but
he asks for no reward
pat on the back any little acknowledgement by his master is sufficient
procedures for the using branches to supply the man who will
train with the dogs they'll bring back to their outfits all dogs are specially
picked
size and uses each is trying to do a single job
and remember they're not pets or mascots
they're soldiers, war dogs. A century of attack dogs have already proved their
worth
for interior guard duty now you'll meet their brothers and the tactical service
the silence scout dog, the messenger dog, and the casualty dog
first we visit an outpost position where the silent Scout dog is used to
detect and give silent warning of any foreign presence
such as the sneaky character cautiously moving amid those Palmettos
this movement alerts our war dog who is able to detect ambushes or
infiltration long before they can be discerned by human or mechanical means
soundless as the night and naturally adapted to stealth
a silent Scout dog leads his Master to a position behind the hidden enemy
Tojoe meanwhile has is snipers eyes on some of our boys and is getting set
to knock them off
but the silent Scout dog has already cornered the rap
master and dog take cover. A prearranged signal directs our own deadly rifle fire
to the exact spot where the enemy is hidden
tojoe loses by a quick k-o
and the silence cow dog supplied the initial
knock out. Next, a reconnaissance patrol
a leader issues special instructions indicating the mission and general
direction of the advance
here we'll see further use of the silent scout dog who leads the patrol
and in addition the messenger dog who brings up the rear
the latter be used to establish liaison with the outbox
but we're now concerned with the scout dog. his master's aware of
the fundamental principles governing the dog's ability to supply a quick
warning about of a hostile presence best advantage is taken of wind and
other conditions favoring the dogs power of scenting
his master reads the dog carefully every movement of the dog conveys a message
note the watchfulness sharp ears alert
nose always to the wind it would be the same in frozen wastes or hot jungles
in any kind of weather or field conditions, the silent Scout dog handles his
assignment with trained efficiency
a tenseness is growing, he's fresh on the scent of something that smells like
trouble. Enemy in site
So, exit the Scout dog, his job's well done
and enter the messenger dog vital information is hastily written out for
dispatch to the outpost position to the rear
an emergency ammunition supply is urgently needed if the patrol is to hold out
and instead of a soldier runner the messenger
dog will do the job. A human life is not risked
and a war dog will get the message through his speed and size make him a tough target
and there's no halt or backwards glance until he comes to the ammunition supply
point
it's just brief minutes since he left the patrol
but already the messenger dog has brought in the information that will
help to avert possible disaster and he's raring to race back with an emergency
supply of ammunition
under such conditions he can pack up to 25 pounds
(music playing)
the
cartridge carrier with weight well distributed
fits snugly on his back and the pictures show how rapidly it can be made secure
his special collar is replaced and he'll be hurrying back to the patrol
again the elapsed time is barely minutes
it's a case of passing the ammunition and praise for the dog and his ability
to follow teachings and
instincts
back with a patrol empty rifles indicate that it will be an arrival in the nick
of time
all the realism of combat is simulated but
the messenger dog won't be steered of its parts and reaches the patrol safely
a life-saving ammunition is ready for instant use
by employing the scount and messenger dogs to advantage
the patrol carries out a successful mission the carrier pigeon helps us
illustrate another job the messenger dog can handle. two pigeons go into a carrier
specially designed by the Quartermaster Corps
and the explanation is clear. the homing pigeon is naturally just back
a one-way messenger flying from field to home
as the dog is a two-way messenger he can be used to transport the pigeons to
the tactical unit operating away from the home base
the harnessing of the birds to the dogs back is very simple
by now you've noticed the attention given to the dogs collar
it is important for he's been trained to recognize it as his
cue to run from one master to the other thus the dog collar plays a major role in
the successful use a messenger dog
incidently both masters have undergone careful training with a dog
and they alone handle his every operation this demonstration proves that where
pigeons are employed
the messenger dog fits in for delivery duty that free soldiers or vehicles for
other work and the messenger dog can handle further tasks
as soon as this pigeon is released we'll move on to still another assignment
a telephone switchboard in the combat area and the need for additional lines over
various short distances
so again the messenger dog gets the call and now that you're actually seeing it
the whole thing appears so obvious. yes, you just equip the dog with a harness which
is designed to hold the loose
end of the wire and you've got a wire layer who will ask no questions and show no
concern over the risks involved
and here still another case where a dog spares human life and limb
the risk of crossing an area under fire
the noise of battle has no effect on the canine signal
now
as ever rapid and reliable the dog gets
the line across the battlefield to his master
and you've been given an idea of the multiple jobs the messenger dog can
handle. he humbly stands by as his master puts the first
call over the newly connected phone line
and so when you're talking about getting the message through
don't forget the messenger dog, he helped make this connection
now
we join the Medical Corps and the search for casualties after a battle
those who fall right in their tracks can usually be found quickly enough but
other wounded before they lose consciousness may have crawled to
some hidden spot for safety. Some may be buried in the wreckage of a bombing
naturally prompt discovery of such victims is vital
the casualty dog is a life-saving answer
he's been trained to search a given area for casualties and report his discoveries to
his master
highly specialized traits identify this war dog
excellent power of scent, endurance, uncanny sense of direction and the keenest
hearing
the casualty dog has found a stricken soldier who may easily have been passed
up by a medical patrol
and poste haste, he's back to where his master awaits him
a master fashions the leash to the dog's collar. a signal for the dog to lead him to
the casualty
his mission a success the dogs complete happiness is expressed in is every movement
a portrait of service, obedience and devotion to the job
within the limitations of this film we've given you a brief
insight into the new tactical employment of the war dog
the proven possibilities for issues go beyond what we have shown. Full advantage
is being taken of the dog's natural attributes
he's ready to do a soldier's job, he's yours at your beck and call
anxious to show but he's truly man's best friend