Author Topic: Animals in World War II  (Read 431 times)

Offline SunTracker

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Animals in World War II
« on: January 07, 2004, 01:24:39 PM »
If you know an interesting bit of trivia that involved animal usage during World War II, feel free to post.

(1)  The Russians trained dogs to run underneath enemy tanks.  Remote control bombs were strapped to the dogs backs, and these were subsequently detonated.

(2)  The U.S. partially froze bats and placed time-bombs inside their abdomens.  The bats were to be dropped out of B-29s and would 'thaw out' on the descent.  During testing, the bats did so well that they destroyed a church and damaged a hangar in New Mexico.

(3)  In the first attempt to create a 'smart' bomb, pidgeons were to be placed inside guided bomb units.  The pidgeons would peck at a screen when they saw the target they were trained for.  A scientists trained a group of pidgeons for this, but I don't believe they were ever used in combat.

(4)  This is a story told by my high school history teacher.  During World War II, some GIs were trying to cross some fortified position in Northern Italy.  The entire area was land-mined.  However, the GIs kept seeing this German dog trot back and forth eating scraps off the ground.  The GIs coaxed the dog over, fed it some c-rations, and then followed it back to the German rear area.  Apparently the dog knew where the landmines were!

Offline Maniac

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Animals in World War II
« Reply #1 on: January 07, 2004, 01:34:46 PM »
Killer Dolphins.
Warbirds handle : nr-1 //// -nr-1- //// Maniac

Offline Ripsnort

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Animals in World War II
« Reply #2 on: January 07, 2004, 01:44:03 PM »
Sheep were scarce in WW2.....hmm, I better not post this story..

Offline FUNKED1

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Animals in World War II
« Reply #3 on: January 07, 2004, 01:47:02 PM »
The Germans used killer sheep to incapacitate many Canadian soldiers in the winter of 1944-1945.  They would lure the randy Canucks in with soft bleating, and then at the moment of truth, the soldiers would deflect the trigger mechanism, blowing sheep and attached soldier to high heaven.

Offline Ripsnort

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Animals in World War II
« Reply #4 on: January 07, 2004, 01:48:31 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by FUNKED1
The Germans used killer sheep to incapacitate many Canadian soldiers in the winter of 1944-1945.  They would lure the randy Canucks in with soft bleating, and then at the moment of truth, the soldiers would deflect the trigger mechanism, blowing sheep and attached soldier to high heaven.


IN!

:rofl

Offline Gunslinger

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Animals in World War II
« Reply #5 on: January 07, 2004, 01:50:15 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by Maniac
Killer Dolphins.


didnt the dolphin program start during WWII or was it more veitnam era?

I saw a discovery ch program on dolphins that would seek out would be under water sappers and kill them.  They'd also seek out underwater mines and such.

I do know during this era the "combat dogs" were being used to help warn of danger and such

Offline Corsair

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Re: Animals in World War II
« Reply #6 on: January 07, 2004, 05:29:15 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by SunTracker

(1)  The Russians trained dogs to run underneath enemy tanks.  Remote control bombs were strapped to the dogs backs, and these were subsequently detonated.



I heard that the Russians didn't have a captured German tank they could use to train the dogs. Instead, they had to use a T34 for training. Then in combat, the dogs would run under the nearest T34. :lol
« Last Edit: January 07, 2004, 08:06:54 PM by Corsair »

Offline midnight Target

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Animals in World War II
« Reply #7 on: January 07, 2004, 07:48:42 PM »
What about Mr. Limpet?


Offline Cobra412

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Animals in World War II
« Reply #8 on: January 07, 2004, 08:01:26 PM »
I remember watching a show awhile back on Discovery about the Dolphins and Seals used for combat.  But I wanna say they weren't for WWII.  I do specifically remember the training of a dolphin to wear a needle type device that found underwater divers and poked them with it.  I forget what was inside but it killed very effectively.  Only problem was the dolphins didn't always hit the right target and many friendly divers were killed.

Seals were also experimented with to place charges on the sides of boats.  The animal humane society was all over it and now these animals are somewhere down near San Diego in a harbor area.  

Also didn't China or Japan use infected fleas to kills thousands with a deadly virus?

Offline loser

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Animals in World War II
« Reply #9 on: January 07, 2004, 08:15:13 PM »
Rip dont be a weenie. I thought that was funny as hell and non-offensive.

Offline Hawklore

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Animals in World War II
« Reply #10 on: January 07, 2004, 08:22:49 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by loser
Rip dont be a weenie. I thought that was funny as hell and non-offensive.


But thats because you can relate to it..

:cool:
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Trouble no one about their religion;
respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours.
Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life." - Chief Tecumseh

Offline RightF00T

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Animals in World War II
« Reply #11 on: January 07, 2004, 08:23:24 PM »
Sharks with friggin lasers on their heads. :aok