Page 29 - The History of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps 1962–2021

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL ARMY VETERINARY CORPS 1962 – 2021
CHAPTER 2
Germany: 1 War Dog Training Unit to 1st MWD Regiment RAVC: The Warriors of Sennelager
Many of us will have fond memories of Germany, whether it is Herforder beer, the pink Schnell Im- biss, Jock’s Bar on the strip, petrol coupons, Ac- tive Edge exercises, skiing or SOXMIS. Maybe it was the visits to Berlin or Weingarten, the Rhine Army Summer Show, the Den, or Frau Busch’s... there are so many reasons why a tour in Germany was made unforgettable.
For the ‘Cold War Warrior’ it may have been an exercise ‘facing off the orange forces’ of the 3rd Soviet Shock Army across the Fulda Gap. Exercise SNOW QUEEN many will recall was not an Adventure Training exercise like many in the 21st century, the aim of SNOW QUEEN was to teach soldiers aspects of winter survival, not least the art of snow hole construction and the resilience required to survive the arduous cross-country skiing or langlaufing. Downhill skiing in sub-zero temperatures was an experience anyone who ever tried it would never forget.
The Sennelager Training Area, north of Paderborn, became the home of the RAVC in West Germany for many years. In over a century, the 120 square kilometres of training area, and ranges, witnessed many warlike activities.
Background:
In July 1892, soldiers of the Bückeburger Jäger, forerunners of many thousands of troops of all nationalities, were the first to train at the Sennelager Training Area. It was to witness many changes.
The site was identified as ideal for purpose in early 1945, when Captain Denby was sent to recce a site for a War Dog Training School in Brussels. The school joined the 21st Army Group and was made an RAVC Unit and the first Corps Commanding Officer was Major George Young who was appointed in November that same year. The move to the new location, which was achieved by rail, from Brussels to Sennelager, involved over 150 soldiers, 200 dogs and 14 horses which solidly established the Corps’ presence, even though its name was to change over subsequent years to
reflect the changing demands on military working animals.
During November 1945 the Unit was called the War Dog Training Unit; in November 1954 it became the No 1 Veterinary Remount and War Dog Unit RAVC. In July 1961 it became 1 War Dog Training Unit RAVC and in December 1968 it was renamed 1 Army Dog Training Unit RAVC. BAOR DASU RAVC was formed in 1985 and on 1st April 1994, the Unit became UKSC (G) DASU (including Belgium and Berlin), and that lasted until 31st March 2000 when restructuring saw the disbandment of the Mixed Services Organisation (MSO) and RAVC Continental TA. Consequently, on 1st April 2000 a new title was attached – 1 Defence Animal Support Unit and, exactly four years later, on 1st April 2004, the newly 102 MWD Support Unit was announced.
Doctrine:
The training of War Dogs dated 1962 – WO Code No 9746 sets out that:
The Organisation of a War Dog Training Unit must be directed towards: the maximum output of fully trained dogs, the training of handlers and dog trainers, the maintenance of a high standard of kennel management so that the incidence of disease is kept to the minimum. The aims could be best obtained if the unit was sub divided into an HQ, Training Wing and Holding Wing each with clearly defined responsibilities. Whatever the size or capacity of the unit, the fundamental structure remains the same, although local conditions may necessitate certain modifications.1
1 WDTU was aligned to this doctrine and was regularly inspected to ensure compliance in remount matters. As mentioned previously, on 24th October 1945, the Army Dog School relocated from Brussels into Sennelager taking over the whole of Theatre Barracks and the land from Staumühler Gate to the Range Gate of STC and the RAVC remained in the same location until it closed in 2017. From its guise as the RAVC Dog School, which was the forerunner of the 1 WDTU, 1 ADTU RAVC and 1 DASU RAVC, the facility
1 Training of War Dogs dated 1962. WO Code No 9746.
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