Page 25 - eMuse Vol.9 No.07_Neat

7th June

NATIONAL MILITARY
NA TIONAL MILIT AR Y

WORKING DOG DAY
W ORKING DOG D A Y

Sapper (Spr) Darren “Smithy” Smith and Spr Jacob “Snowy” Moerland,
2nd Combat Engineer Regiment with the Explosive Detection Dog, Herbie.

On the 7th June 2010, on a routine foot patrol, Sappers Darren On top of that, dogs also have other physical abilities we can’t
Smith and Jacob Moerland were killed in action by an IED (Impro- possibly hope to match. Other bonuses are: they are intelligent,
vised Explosive Device) in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. Smith’s co-operative and give their all for little more pay than a pat on the
Explosive Detection Dog (EDD) Herbie, was also killed in the blast. head and a friendly, “Good dog” spoken by its handler.
Sapper Darren Smith was born in Adelaide and Sapper Jacob Even though we were initially slow to recognise their value, our
Moorland in Cairns. Both were from the 2nd Combat Engineer Australian Defence Forces have chalked up a distinguished record
Regiment in Brisbane. Herbie was originally recruited from the of putting natural animal abilities to good use.
Peninsula Animal Aid Facility, an animal rescue shelter at Redcliffe Apart from morale boosting by individual unit mascots, we have
in Queensland. repeatedly reaped benefits of animal talents and natural abili-
This incident was chosen as representative of the sacrifice and ties. Service from the Walers of the Lighthorse Units is legendary.
contributions of all Australian Military Working Dogs and those Dogs like the AIF’s “Horrie the Wog Dog” and the RAAFs “Digger”
who worked with them. The 7th June is now recognised as our warned of impending enemy aircraft approaches before radar.
National Military Working Dog Day. Prior to World War I, Australian Forces relied on the canine as-
Time and again these wonderful working animals push them- sets of Imperial British Forces. Even so there were a few that made
selves to the limit, giving their all to protect their mates. It is fit- their mark: War Dog 103 Nell, a Cross Setter; 102 Trick, a Collie;
ting that we acknowledge our debt to these animals and those who 101 Bullet, an Airedale. All three dogs were very efficient in mes-
worked with them. They have served us well in war and peace. sage carrying and saw service with the 2nd, 4th and 5th Australian
A monument at the Australian War Museum, Canberra, bears Divisions .
this inscription: The Australian Army began using patrol and tracker dogs, during
I am a working dog the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency, and in Borneo. An early
My eyes are your eyes dog called Bruce was a tan and black German shepherd. He was
To watch you and snowy white which was good camouflage in winter, when snow lay
To protect you and yours thick on the Korean hills. But in summer he couldn’t avoid being seen
To hear and detect evil in the dark on patrol. This problem was solved by dyeing Bruce with coffee.
My nose is your nose to scent In Vietnam, dogs were used to track the enemy but as an added bo-
The invader of your domain nus, without formal training, they learned to alert their handlers about
And so you may live trip wires and booby traps. That ability save many Australian lives.
My life is also yours There is so much more to this story. Find more in the book
Cicerio “Trackers” by Peter Haran and on the Website: https://aussietrack-
Of all the characteristics dogs offer, it’s their scenting ability ers.org/
that knows no equal. That is where most of their value in assisting Like the Walers in wars before them, Australian dogs that served
us originates. Nobody knows what a dog’s nose knows. Further in Vietnam were not brought home. Many handlers were trauma-
more, nobody ever will. A dog’s olfactory system gives it a scenting tised. Today dogs do return to Australia after overseas service.
ability way beyond human comprehension. Wally
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