Name/Title
StereographEntry/Object ID
2023.055.3.0135Description
A black and white stereograph. Image is of three soldiers in a trench, a dog is approaching the group while carrying a helmet. Above the image "W115 (Star)" is printed, below the image "V18856 The God in War - Reporting to First Aid Squad with Helmet of Wounded Soldier." is printed, to the left of the image "Keystone View Company Copyrighted, Underwood & Underwood, Inc. Manufacturers MADE IN U.S.A. Publishers" is printed, to the right of the image "Meadville, Pa., New York, N. Y., Chicago, Ill., London, England." is printed. On the reverse the following is printed:
V18856
DOG REPORTING TO FIRST AID SQUAD WITH HELMET OF WOUNDED SOLDIER
This was a common scene during the Wolrd War: thousands of wounded would have died on the battlefield but for the trained intelligence of dogs such as the one before us. The battles were on such a vast scale,covered such a wide extent of territory, so many wounded men fell in obscure spots, in dense brush, in shell craters, that they would never have been found but for these faithful animals. Fist Aid squads used large numbers of them in their search for the wounded. Even while the battle was on, the stetcher bearers, themselves in some depression of the ground which afforded comparative security form flying bullets, sent the dogs out to discover the wereabouts of the wounded. When the intelligent animal returned, brining some article of clothing belonging to the fallen soldier to indicate that it had nd him, they followed and brought the soldier in.
These dogs were carefully selected and were put thorugh a long course of careful training, sometimes lasting for two months or more. Oftend a dog proved unfit for the work after weeks of effort had been spent upon it, and had to be discareded. They were trained to come and go in silence; not a single bark must carry to the enemy knowledge of their whereabouts. Their intelligence was marvelous, enabling them to find the wounded in almost impossible places.
Most of the dogs had fastened upon their backs blankets, in which buttoned pockets contained first aid appliances, bandages, flasks of cordial and medicines. With these many a soldier was able to stanch the flow of blood and maintain life until help arrived.
Copyright by The Keystone View CoompanyCollection
Photograph Collection