Animals of D-Day

Mention the D-day Landings of World War II and most people will have an image of brave soldiers battling across the Normandy beaches under heavy fire from the Germans. However, did you know that there were also some 4 legged "soldiers" who played important roles in D-Day and the ensuing Battle of Normandy?

Dogs were trained to sniff our explosives and mines and to keep watch in order to warn of the approach of enemy soldiers. To get dogs into Normandy as soon as possible some were parachuted in - the so-called Paradogs.

During World War II, the 13th (Lancashire) Parachute Battalion started an adventurous experiment as it prepared for D-Day: enlisting dogs into their ranks. As they prepared for D-Day and the fight against Nazi Germany, they developed a new weapon: parachuting dogs. Paradogs were taught to get used to wartime conditions, like aircraft propellers and loud noises. They were also trained to identify the smell of explosives.

The dogs wore their own parachutes and were trained to jump after bones/treats. It would appear that they were not distressed by the experience and after a few practice jumps they would often exit the aircraft without coaxing.

Among these animals were three dogs – Ranee, Bing and Glenn. Bing survived the war and went on to be awarded the Dicken Medal, the Animals Victoria Cross. That was not the last honor for Bing’s service: When he died in 1955, the former paradog was buried in a cemetery of honor for animals northeast of London.

Today, one can also find a true-to-life replica of this four-legged hero in the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces Museum in Duxford. Sadly Glenn did not survive, he was killed along with his handler Emile Corteil on D-Day. Glenn is buried with his handler Emile Corteil in the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Ranville. Ranee, a German Shepherd, was the only female parachuting dog in the war.