The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1918-09-03

UerS. 1Callan cavalry held the Huns
from Venice till British and French
aid could be sent. Byng's cavalry,
followed by tanks, burst through the
Hindenburg line and advanced 1000
yards in one day through a position
it was thought no one could take.
The Horse a Valiant Soldier.
To be sure horses are killed, wound
ed, drop from exhaustion in the Shiny
earth and lie there gasping till mer-
clful death takes them; but it is cas-
Ter to bring up fresh horse and re-
place the fallen one than it is to find
the missing piece of disabled motor
truck. Other points in favor of the
horse are that they can go through
streams than would block any ma
chine man has devised, and can tear
| through storms of shell fire which
daze the Imagination. On them in
great part depends the continuous
| supply of ammunition and food to
the front trenches. Automobiles are
often impossible to use in the torn up
condition of the battlefield, and
where trains and motors are helpless
without tracks and fair roads the
horse will struggle on. 1t is impossi-
| BILE to tell the number of horses en-
ployed in the war, but it makes it
somewhat easier to realize the big
part they are playing when one learns
! that the British army alone needs
from 100000 to 100000 horses
constantly.
Ever since her entry into the war
Italy has been buying great many
mules, because these patient and eff
ficient animals are we'll adapted for
service in mountainous districts.
They are sure footed and agile.
Wheelers, which are useful for draw
ing heavy artillery; leaders, which do
the work of light horses, and especial
ly pack mules, which are of great
value in carrying rapid fire guns or
parts of light artillery, are in con-
slant demand.
The Dogs Work Invaluable.
So many things are happening daily
in connection with the great war that
1t is difficult for us to grasp them all,
and although the great contest has
now been going on for nearly four
years but few of us have had the
opportunity to take in more than in
a very general way how actively
dogs have participated in it or how
many important parts they have play
ed. 1t is safe to say that in no form
er war have they proved so essential
or been so constantly depended upon
by all the armies in the field to faith
fully perform any highly dangerous
and trying task requiring both intelli-
gence and courage of a high order.
In fact, it can be said that the high
est military authorities now agree
that no modern army is fully equipp-
ed without these animals.
The Red Cross dogs must work in
the battlefield in darkness and I'M
seen by the enemy. They run low,
working in Crannies and depression
and keeping out Of the vision of those
who might send a bullet that would
end their usefulness. If followed
within calling distance by nurses or
orderlles, when dog finds a sufferer
1t gives tongue. Otherwise it returns
to the ambulance squad, if possible
bearing some token from the wound
ed soldier, or at all events it informs
one squad that there is rescue work
to be attended to at once. When the
assistant arrives, or after returning
to the victim with the aids. if ordered
to do so the dog will carry a message
to any designated point for further
aid, or whatever is needed.
In active military service dogs
are constantly used for general dis
patch work, wearing attached to their
collars leather pouch in which they
carry the messages. They are able
when sent as dispatch bearers to
work their way with marvellous quick
ness through the trenches and al
most always arrive at their destina
ton unframed. On sentry service
they are highly valued for their sight
and scent. 1t is fact that the dogs
VIII detect the presence of an oppos-
ing force at distance of two miles.
Useful at Dangerous Posts.
In the French army every man who
IS detailed to the exceedingly danger
Gus and trying work in the advanced
listening posts has as his only com
Panlon, through the long and lone
| some hours of the night watches, his
faithful dog. Over and over again
these animals have shown marvellous
ability in detecting unusual move
ments or activity on the part of the
enemy and of giving the sentry time
ly warning of the same. They have
also proved most helpful in saving
the lives of their masters in this
rather remarkable manner.
Highly dangerous as is the work of
the soldier in the listening post and
vitality important as it is for him to
be constantly on the alert, the lives
OF his companions frequently depend
ing upon his watchfulness, curiously
enough it is fact that the nervous
strain of the hour after hour spent
on the post through the night seems
to have at times peculiar soporifc
effect upon the most reliable sentinel.
If he should give way to this and fall
asleep the dogs are trained, by vari-
Gus devices, to instantly arouse him
to his duties.
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