thedrifter
12-21-02, 06:52 AM
Introduction To The
U.S. Marine Corps' War Dogs!
As early as 1935, the Marines were interested in war dogs. They had experienced the enemys' sentry dogs used in Haiti and in the other "Banana Wars" in Central America where dogs staked around guerrilla camps in the jungle sounded the alarm at the approach of the Marines.
Time and again, the Marines found "beans cooking in the pot", tents, clothes, everything except enemy soldiers and their weapons. The Marines learned the value of dogs used as sentries and scouts.
Although prior to Pearl Harbor, the citizens of the U.S. were opposed to getting involved with the war that was going on in Europe and Asia, the Marines thought they would have to fight the Japanese in the Pacific. Since the Japanese were well established in the islands and atolls of the central, south, and west Pacific, the Marines knew they were going to be fighting in tropical climates where the vegetation provided jungle-like coverage.
In such conditions, dogs would be ideal sentries and couriers. It was no surprise later that the Marine Corps had the first large dog unit in the nation's history to see action against the enemy.
The Start...November 26, 1942!
The very first Marine War Dog Training School was located at Quantico Bay, Cuba, on January 18, 1943, under the direction of Captain Samuel T. Brick. Fourteen Doberman Pinschers were donated by the Baltimore, Maryland and Canton, Ohio members of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America. An old warehouse served as both headquarters and kennels.
The school's location was short lived, however. A week later, the War Dog Training Center had been established at Camp Knox, site of a former CCC camp at Camp Lejeume, NC. And the Quantico Dobermans were joined there by a Boxer named Fritz, the very first dog sworn and signed into the Marine Corp.
The Doberman Pinscher Club
Of America
Dogs For Defense wasn't the only organization recruiting dogs for the armed services, in 1942 the Doberman Pinscher Club of America was formally approached to procure Dobes for the newly formed Marine Corps War Dog Training Facility at Camp LeJeune, New River, North Carolina.
Sydney A. Moss, President of the DPCA, agreed to assist in the procurement of the Dobermans, and Richard C. Webster, DPCA, Baltimore, Maryland, headed the recruiting committee. He divided the country into sixteen procurement areas to facilitate enlistment. DPCA members spent their own time and money to screen applicant dogs for the Marine Corps.
The recruitment was done amongst the Dobe owners in the country who were asked to "volunteer" their dogs. Owners were told that their Dobes would be returned to them if they failed to meet the Marines' standards or at the end of their "enlistment" tour of service.
The Marine dogs were named "Devildogs," a name, that the Marines earned during WWI, fighting against the Germans. However, Dobermans weren't the only breed that the Marines used; but since the DPCA was recruiting for them, the initial emphasis was placed on that breed. There were also Labs, German Shepherds and other breeds, that were obtained from the Army's Quartermaster Corps. Actually towards the end of the war, German Shepherds replaced the Dobermans, as the preferred breed.
http://community-2.webtv.net/Hahn-50thAP-K9/K9History4/
Sempers,
Roger
U.S. Marine Corps' War Dogs!
As early as 1935, the Marines were interested in war dogs. They had experienced the enemys' sentry dogs used in Haiti and in the other "Banana Wars" in Central America where dogs staked around guerrilla camps in the jungle sounded the alarm at the approach of the Marines.
Time and again, the Marines found "beans cooking in the pot", tents, clothes, everything except enemy soldiers and their weapons. The Marines learned the value of dogs used as sentries and scouts.
Although prior to Pearl Harbor, the citizens of the U.S. were opposed to getting involved with the war that was going on in Europe and Asia, the Marines thought they would have to fight the Japanese in the Pacific. Since the Japanese were well established in the islands and atolls of the central, south, and west Pacific, the Marines knew they were going to be fighting in tropical climates where the vegetation provided jungle-like coverage.
In such conditions, dogs would be ideal sentries and couriers. It was no surprise later that the Marine Corps had the first large dog unit in the nation's history to see action against the enemy.
The Start...November 26, 1942!
The very first Marine War Dog Training School was located at Quantico Bay, Cuba, on January 18, 1943, under the direction of Captain Samuel T. Brick. Fourteen Doberman Pinschers were donated by the Baltimore, Maryland and Canton, Ohio members of the Doberman Pinscher Club of America. An old warehouse served as both headquarters and kennels.
The school's location was short lived, however. A week later, the War Dog Training Center had been established at Camp Knox, site of a former CCC camp at Camp Lejeume, NC. And the Quantico Dobermans were joined there by a Boxer named Fritz, the very first dog sworn and signed into the Marine Corp.
The Doberman Pinscher Club
Of America
Dogs For Defense wasn't the only organization recruiting dogs for the armed services, in 1942 the Doberman Pinscher Club of America was formally approached to procure Dobes for the newly formed Marine Corps War Dog Training Facility at Camp LeJeune, New River, North Carolina.
Sydney A. Moss, President of the DPCA, agreed to assist in the procurement of the Dobermans, and Richard C. Webster, DPCA, Baltimore, Maryland, headed the recruiting committee. He divided the country into sixteen procurement areas to facilitate enlistment. DPCA members spent their own time and money to screen applicant dogs for the Marine Corps.
The recruitment was done amongst the Dobe owners in the country who were asked to "volunteer" their dogs. Owners were told that their Dobes would be returned to them if they failed to meet the Marines' standards or at the end of their "enlistment" tour of service.
The Marine dogs were named "Devildogs," a name, that the Marines earned during WWI, fighting against the Germans. However, Dobermans weren't the only breed that the Marines used; but since the DPCA was recruiting for them, the initial emphasis was placed on that breed. There were also Labs, German Shepherds and other breeds, that were obtained from the Army's Quartermaster Corps. Actually towards the end of the war, German Shepherds replaced the Dobermans, as the preferred breed.
http://community-2.webtv.net/Hahn-50thAP-K9/K9History4/
Sempers,
Roger