Close-up view of the revolving drum and chains at work on a Matilda Scorpion flail tank.17 April 1942.

Matilda Scorpion Flail Tank - 1942

Turretless Matilda Baron under test - 13 August 1943.

Turretless Matilda Baron under test - 13 August 19

When England declared war on Germany in Sept 1939 ,the military believed it would be a war of machines and  mechanisation.There would be no room for the animal contingent so prominent in WW1.Because of this believe and  food rationing over 200.000 dogs were sent to their deaths in the first two months of the outbreak of war.Slowly reports began to trickle through that Germany was using a huge number of trained dogs to assist the military in a variety of defensive areas.Germany boasted in its press that Airedales,Boxers,German Shepherds and Doberman Pincers had been enlisted to help its armies.The people who controlled the English military machine still were  not impressed until  Colonel E.H.Richardson and Major James Baldwin took up the argument.A later demonstration with trained dogs convinced the government of the day and as a result English dogs started to march to and help the war effort instead of being marched to their death.By May 1944 some 7000 dogs had passed through training school.They were sent to all areas where soldiers dealt with conflicts,their stories of bravery are  legendary.As in all such stories,the dogs with the soldiers ,shared in the injuries and fatalities.The first dog to be killed was Bobby,a white Alsatian.He ran messages in France between military units and was killed by German machinegunfire.After darkness a patrol went out to retrieve the body.He was buried with full military honors.Such was the bond that developped between man and dog.A special medal was designed for animals that served with the military and Home Guard;The Dickin Medal.(I have posted the story of the Dickin Medal some time back)Today dogs are still helping the Armed Forces in oversees conflict areas like Afganisthan and Iraq.Men's best friend forever.Greetz,Brummbar