NAZI WOLFHOUNDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 5, 6 January 1940, Page 11

NAZI WOLFHOUNDS

ON WESTERN FRONT DOG SENTRY SAVES GERMANS TRAINED TO HATE FRENCH UNIFORMS LONDON. Dec. 2. How German patrols are using wolfhounds as watchdogs and messengers on the Western Front was revealed this week by a French infantry officer. "We have had to kill numbers of these animals, as they are very fierce and have been taught to hate our uniforms.” he said. “But when we can we lasso them and send them back as prisoners. They make desperate efforts to escape to the German lines. I once found six chained up in an isolated house. “Information carried by these dogs has often brought down sudden artillery bombardment on part of the French lines which has been observed by German patrols from the neighbouring woods.” Another officer told how a dog had ruined his chance of success in a night raid. “We went out to get behind a German advance post and bring back a couple of prisoners, he said. "We had only a mile to go, ar. J the way was quite easy, though it was very dark. “We got into position behind ’he German trench and began to climb the hill towards it. We were not carrying rifles, only bombs, bayonets stuck through our belts, and revolvers. We found the first belt of wire where we expected it and began to cut through it silently. I thougnt all was going well, when I heard a | shuffle in front and a huge dog, bounded forward, barking like any-1 thing. “In a second Verey lights were going up and a machine-gun began fir- ; ing. fortunately, at first, in the wrong direction. The dog disappeared, called | back by a whistle, doubtless to point . out where we were. We cut the last strand and dashed up to the next belt, | only a few yards from the German; trench. “We began cutting this when the machine-gun rattled cut. and my ser- | geant came up and told me that he had six men wounded, two very sen- j ouslv. It was useless to continue tie | attempt to enter the trench and take prisoners. . I “We threw all our oombs, including those of the wounded men. into the German line and then we made off as fas as we could. But for that fourfooted sentry I am sure our raid would have been a perfect success.” |