Dogs -- War use -- History -- 20th century; World War, 1914-1918
Ernest Harold Baynes, in the National Geographic Magazine, has this to
say relative to the work accomplished by these dogs. “One woman brought
back to America a Croix de Guerre awarded by France to her intrepid
teams of sled dogs. The occasion that won them that honor was their
salvation of a stormbound, foe pressed outpost in the French Alps.
Despatch bearers had been sent back repeatedly, but no succoring answer
came, for the messengers were overwhelmed as they passed through the
blinding blizzard. At last matters became desperate. The foe was
pressing his advantage with dash and courage, and nothing but quick
action could save the situation. So Lieutenant Rene Haas hitched his
dogs to a light sled and started through a blizzard before which human
flesh, in spite of the ‘urge’ of a consecrated patriotism, had failed.
In ‘sweepstakes racing time’ they covered the trip down the mountain and
over a perilous pass to the main army post. There twenty-eight dogs were
hitched to fourteen light sleds, and these were loaded with ammunition.
Back over the forbidding trail they went, under an artillery fire,
facing a bitter wind, and plowing through blinding clouds of snow. On
the fifth day at sunrise the panting malamutes reached the outpost,
their burden of ammunition was rushed to the gunners, and the mountain
was saved from the foe.”
We must all agree that the “Huskie” takes his place of honor among the
many other species of dogdom who did his bit in the World War, and if it
is true that he is a lineal descendant of the timber wolf, we must even
have a higher respect for this much maligned animal.
------------------------------------
AN INTERESTING LETTER
During my stay in France I wrote a number of letters to the press
relating to the work of the Blue Cross Society of France, and in return
received many interesting letters from America, and in many instances
donations for the Refuge.
One of the most pleasing was the following, which demonstrates the heart
and spirit of the boys and girls of our great and generous country.
Livingston Avenue, Dobbs Ferry, N. Y.
John I. Anderson,
Continental Hotel, Paris, France.
Dear Sir:
Your appeal for the wounded dogs now being
cared for in the hospital in Neuilly,
France, which appeared in the New York
Globe, was brought to the attention of the
children of the Presbyterian Church of
this town, and they decided to do
something themselves to raise a little
money.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account