Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-02-21

ing hundreds of dogs is regular part
of the equipment of every French army
now. 1t turns out t.-a;nei animals for
front service.
Originally dogs were used for just
two purposes-carrying aid 10 the
wounded and accompanying patrols to
"scent out" the enemy. The selg,ans
have always had a third duty-that OF
training dogs to draw machine guns.
But the highly specialized art of war
today has resulted in ampliication OF
these duties. Two of the most import
ant roles now played by canines-"lia-
son" work and sentinel service-can
be said to have attained supreme i'm
portance.
"Liason" dogs have the most danger
Gus and the most useful parts 10 play.
They carry messages between attack
ing troops and batteries TO the rear,
which shield the troops by barrage fire.
The intensity of enemy counter-bar-
RACES to prevent this kills hundreds of
dogs, but still many trained animals
slip through For every dog who dies
on the field of honor France considers
it has saved the life of the soldier mes
senger, who otherwise would have to
do the work.
Many dogs who fail TO show aptitude
for "lason"work develop into excel
lent sentinels. Those particularly fit
ted for this work take their place at the
top of the trench alongside the gun bar
rel of their master and detect every pa
troll or every Individual soldier that at
tempts passage Of the barbed wire en-
tanglements ahead.
Dogs are still trained and used to
carry aid to the wounded. One vet
eran-Dick-wh has been officially
decorated with the War Cross for brav-
cry at Verdun, where his master was
killed and the dog himself seriously
wounded, has just gone back into ac-
tive service, attached to section OF
what was formerly the American am
bulance.
The dogs undergo first of all an ex-
animation before a special jury before
being accepted The dogs, when ac-
cepted, are placed in centers of instruc-
ton, preparation and training. There
they are entrusted to experienced train
erS, who make them familiar with their
position as soldiers, and courage, dis
cipline, sangfroid, prudence and dis
patch are taught them. II is only after
a fairly long course in these schools
that the dogs are sent TO the front and
start their service.
In the Vosges, in Lorraine and in
Alsace the dogs often work with trans
port and carriage of provisions, har-
messed TO vehicles specially cons tructed
for the purpose. The dogs like this
work, which they carry out with rapid
ity and energy.
The dogs attached as guards to de-
pots OF arms and munitions are perfect
and trustworthy guides, swift in att ack
and defense. AS TO rat catchers, the Sc,
like the sentinels, are the best friends
Of the Poilu, living with him, faithful,
intelligent, aHectionate companions, the
soldiers true friend. Their watchful-
ness enables him to sleep.
Ambulance dogs are required TO dis
cover the wounded and TO 90 and find
the ambulances. The dogs carry TO the
latter the cap OF the wounded man or
some object indicating the unit &c
which he belonged. Other dogs, diff.
ferently trained, call ambulances TO the
wounded by means OF prearranged
cries. All these dogs carry little
wallet containing a flask and various
rough dressings for first aid. They are
accustomed to cover all sorts OF coun.
try, TO clear all obstacles and to have
no fear Of cannon or shell fire.
They have proved themselves Falu
able since the declaration Of war znc
for three years they have carried ea
their laborious and perilous work wffi
the ambulances to which they are at
tached in the most heavily bombardet
districts,
Dogs, as rule, show great distr es:
when shells burst near them and how
piteously. On the other hand, theJ
have been known 10 dash along the
top Of trench during infantry fire.
barking at the smoking muzzle, sharp
ly examining puffs Of dirt thrown up
by enemy bullets and apparently en-
joying the noise. Evidently there is
some chemical exuded by exploding
shells that peculiarly affects dog.
Regimental mascots appear to have
the best time, for they stay in billets,
live on the fat Of the land and are made
much Of by the local inhabitants. The
pampered terrier Of certain famous
regiment Of footguards sat on the top
of transport wagon al the tail of the
battalion and barked at all the civilian
dogs he passed.
He-At what age do you think wo.