Intermission (10) – Buddies in war

GI Jenny, the burro mascot of the Army in North Africa, with Cpl. William Wende & Pito, 1943

We couldn’t allow the Intermission period to pass without a post about the animals.  Many have already seen my post about Marine Dog Lucca and the 9/11 work dogs, so here is another……

When waging war against each other, human armies often enlist the aid of the animal kingdom. In past conflicts, horses, elephants, and camels hauled men and supplies; pigeons carried messages; dogs tracked enemies and protected troops. Their efforts helped to turn battles—and the fortunes of many a combat soldier.

Tim – was the mascot of the Australian Army 2/2nd Battalion

Carrying on this tradition, U.S. forces employed thousands of animals during World War II. They could be found in every theater of the war: They were workers and warriors; they were soldiers’ comrades-in-arms and companions in battle. Their widespread presence on the battlefields was documented by government photographers covering the war.

Horses, mules, and dogs were regularly employed by American forces to work on the battlefields of World War II. Horses carried soldiers on patrol missions in Europe and into battle in the Philippines. Mules, trained in the United States and shipped by the thousands into war zones, contributed their strength and sweat to the fight. Their backs bore the food, weapons, and sometimes the men of entire infantry units.

Pvt. Hunt the parakeet was a mascot in the Solomon Islands, here w/ Pvt. Currie

Some twenty thousand dogs served the U.S. Army, Coast Guard, and Marine Corps. They guarded posts and supplies, carried messages, and rescued downed pilots. Scout dogs led troops through enemy territory, exposing ambushes and saving the lives of platoons of men. In the throes of combat, war dogs proved their intelligence, courage, and steadfast loyalty time and time again. Many photographs in National Archives holdings document the exploits—and the sacrifice—of America’s animal warriors.

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Information was condensed from the U.S. National Archives, also most of the photos, others from Waronline and AOL Images.

Click on images to enlarge.   Some are not available larger.

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Military Dog Humor –

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Farewell Salutes – 

Merlin Bishop – Delta, UT; US Navy, WWII, pilot

Robert Casey – Terre Haute, IN; US Army, WWII, ETO, 3rd Army

Charles Dixon – Augusta, GA; US Army, WWII, CBI + Africa, Major

Cliff Hall – WY & CO; US Navy, WWII

James Lindly – Lubbock, TX; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 188/11th Airborne

Alan Mason – Feilding, NZ; RNZ Navy # 6075, WWII

Herbert Nesbitt Sr. – Ontario, CAN; RC Air Force, WWII, ETO, Sgt., pilot

Edward Richards – Victoria, AUS; RA Army # 3156502, Vietnam, 4th Battalion

Biagio Tedesco – brn: St. Agata, ITA/Milwaukee, WI; US Army, WWII, PTO

John Wagner – Broad Channel, NY; US Navy, WWII

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