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