During the harrowing times of World War II, amidst the cacophony of guns and bombs, a different breed of hero emerged – the four-legged kind. These animals, far from just pets, demonstrated courage and loyalty that matched, and at times surpassed, those of their human counterparts. They not only became mascots but also integral members of the armed forces, saving lives and lifting spirits. This tale of heroism highlights two such extraordinary canines – Rip, the terrier-mix who became the United Kingdom’s first official search and rescue dog, and Judy, the English Pointer who endured as the war’s only recognized canine prisoner of war.
Rip’s story began in 1940, following an air raid in East London’s Poplar district. Discovered and adopted by Air Raid Precaution Warden E. King, Rip proved to be a natural search and rescue dog, despite no formal training. His breed’s instinct to dig and ferret out small animals translated seamlessly into the locating of bombing victims buried beneath the rubble. During the London Blitz, Rip’s tireless efforts led to the rescue of over 100 people.
The Blitz, the relentless bombing campaign by the German Luftwaffe, aimed to decimate British morale. Yet, the British spirit remained indomitable, and Rip’s valiance only added to the nation’s resolve. From September 7, 1940, London and other cities bore the brunt of this assault. Amidst this backdrop, Rip’s contributions were invaluable, prompting British authorities to train more dogs for search and rescue missions as the war progressed. His service was honored with the Dickin Medal in 1945, often described as “the animals’ Victoria Cross.”
While Rip roamed the skies of London, another canine hero, Judy of Sussex, faced her own battles in the Far East. Judy, an English Pointer, initially served as a mascot for the Royal Navy gunboat HMS Gnat. Her sharp instincts made her an early warning device against threats, such as river pirates and enemy aircraft. But her story took a dire turn when, after the attack on her second ship, HMS Grasshopper, she became a prisoner of war.
Surviving shipwrecks, jungle treks, and the brutal conditions of POW camps, Judy’s resolve never wavered. She forged a special bond with Leading Aircraftman Frank Williams, sharing with him and her fellow captives an unbreakable spirit. Her determination to survive and protect others earned her the title of World War II’s only official canine POW. Like Rip, Judy too was awarded the Dickin Medal posthumously in 1946, acknowledging her “magnificent courage and endurance.”
These extraordinary animals are part of a lineage of valorous companions that continues to this day. The PDSA Dickin Medal has been awarded to several canine heroes through the years, including recent recipients like Hertz, a German shorthaired pointer who served with the RAF Police in Afghanistan, and Mali, a Belgian Malinois, for their “life-saving devotion to duty.”
Relevant articles:
– Rip the Terrier-Mix Rescued Over 100 People During The Blitz, War History Online
– How a stray dog in London led to the training of search and rescue dogs, We Are The Mighty
– World War II’s Only Canine POW Survived Shipwrecks, Crocodile Attacks, and Japanese Prison Camps, HistoryNet
– PDSA Dickin Medal, PDSA