I knew that dogs played an influential role in WWI, but did they do so in WWII? Can someone please tell me the type of breeds used by the Allies for various tasks. I have heard that the pitbull (can't really remember the true breed's name) was used by GI's and was a favorite of theirs. Thank you.
Dont know for sure, but i am pretty sure the Russians trained Dogs by putting food under tanks and trucks etc. When put to use, the Russians would attach a stick with explosives on it (or something like that) and send the dogs after german tanks...when the dog went under the tank looking for the food (food is good incentive) the tip of the explosive would hit the tank and explode...
These were called 'Minenhunde' and such use shocked german troops serving on the Eastern Front. As to Allied use of dogs, I'm not sure.....
The problem with the AT-dogs was that they were trained on Russian tanks (or hulks rather) and so either couldn't destinguish between friend and foe or just expected to find food under Soviet vehicles. Rather a loose cannon as weapons go but I guess they worked. As for the allies, well I have read accounts of dogs being used to search for mines and such as well as to find people in bombed out buildings. Afraid I can't coroborate that though.
Using dogs as kamikazes seems to bother me also. But then again, the Red Army loved to throw bodies, regardless of man or dog, at a problem until it was solved. Thank you all for the info. Especially you FramerT, that helps. Can any of you find out information about the pitbull? I have been told they played a role but I can't seem to find anything.
I heard some stories about dogs in WWII on the Allied side. Someone told me a story about a dog that recieved a medal for charging a German Machine-gun and causing it's surrender (think he killed one, scared the other into surrendering)
Perhaps the 'pit-bulls' you mention were from WWI. American fly-boys kept thim as mascots ...the other flyers were scared of them. Try a Google search of war dogs.
CHIPS, THE WAR DOG Chips was a sentry with the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Division. The 1st war dog to be sent overseas in W.W. II, he arrived in Sicily in July, 1943, and accompanied his division in fighting in Africa, Italy, and other parts of Europe. It was in Germany that he performed a heroic feat. One night, he broke away from his handler and attacked a German pillbox. He actually seized one man and forced 4 more to surrender. The Army awarded him the Purple Heart and Silver Star. Later, officials took these honors away because they were "contrary to Army policy." To make up for it, his company presented him unofficially with a battle star and campaign ribbons. Chips was discharged from the Army in 1945 and returned to his owner. http://www.trivia-library.com/a/amazing-animals-chips-the-dog-world-war-ii-hero.htm
