Dogs1

Australian Dogs of War

By Peter Haran

2RAR Tracking Team.
CAESAR. Originally trained and handled in Australia by Phil Little, Caesar was taken over by Peter Haran and was posted to Vietnam with the 2RAR combat tracking team. He was initially handed over to 4RAR|. He later served with 5RAR and 9RAR in 1969-70, and was then posted to 7RAR. Caesar was retired to the British Embassy in Saigon in July 1970.

ceasar1 .
Ceaser2 .
Ceaser3 .

CASSIUS: Arrived in Vietnam in 1967 with 7RAR and his handler was Norm Cameron. The dog was a former guide dog for the blind. He died from heat exhaustion at Vung Tau.

JANUS: This dog arrived in Vietnam with 3RAR, and his original handler was Phil Moore. Janus was an exceptional tracking dog who followed an enemy party for up to several riles after a ground assault at a firebase on 17 February 1968. The dog pointed at the enemy but was ordered on by the follow-up group commander. Moore was shot and wounded just minutes later. During a subsequent track Moore was again wounded. Janus was rotated to 9RAR and possibly transferred to 8RAR. It is probable he was one of the dogs left at 3RAR in 1971 and his disposal is unclear.

JULIAN: His original trainer was Bob Pearson, but he was taken to Vietnam by Garry Polglase with 3RAR. The dog was taken over by handler Wally Barnett after Polglase was killed in a shooting on 13 April 1968.
Julian and Poly.
Julian was then transferred to 9RAR where he was taken over by his original trainer Bob Pearson. Julian was later posted to 8RAR. Where his handler was Len Taylor and later still to 7RAR and 3RAR. During war service his hearing deteriorated and he became quite sick. It is possible he was given away to an American school in Saigon in 1971.

JUNO: The reinforcement dog arrived in country in 1969 or 1970, was attached to 5RAR replacing the sick dog Justin. He was transferred from 7RAR to 3RAR, but it is unclear what became of him when 3RAR left in 1971.

JUSTIN: Arrived in Vietnam with 7RAR. His handler was Tom Blackhurst, who was killed on 17 April 1971 while on his second tour of Vietnam with the Australian Army Training Team. Justin was rotated to 1RAR and suffered war neurosis during the battle at Fire Support Base Coral. He later transferred to 5RAR, where handler was Dennis Rowlands, and on retirement in January 1970 he was given to the manager of the Chartered Bank in Saigon.

MARCIAN: This reinforcement dog saw service with4RAR and his handler was Dave Nelson. He was given to the Consular British Embassy in Saigon in 1971 November the same month that MILO was given to the Chartered Bank in Saigon.

MARCUS: Trained and handled by Denis Ferguson in 2RAR in 1967-68. Marcus, bred from a former Australian champion, was owned by the former Governor of NSW, Sir Roden Cutler. He was rotated through Battalions back to 2RAR (second tour) and, remarkably taken over by Denis Ferguson his original 2RAR handler in 1970. "I saw a tear in his eye when I returned after two years", Denis recalled after arriving for his second tour of Vietnam. Marcus was transferred to 4RAR in 1971, at which time his sight was failing. His disposal is unknown.
Marcus .
Fergie & Marcus .
MILO: Served with 4RAR in 1968. The dog was donated in Australia by a family from Hornsby, NSW. His handler was Barry McDonald. Milo served with 4RAR, was transferred to 6RAR in 1969, and may have been posted to 2RAR in 1970. He was reportedly given to the assistant manager of the Chartered Bank in Saigon in November1971.

TIBER: This dog replaced Cassius in 7RAR in 1968 and his handler was Norm Cameron. The dog was later posted to 1RAR, and was involved in action at FSPB Coral with Justin. Tiber fled during the height of the ground attack and returned the following day. He suffered severe shell shock. Following his service with 1RAR and 7RAR's second tour, where his handler was Bill Palmer, he was given to the 1ATF Military Police as a mascot/pet in 1970.

TRAJAN: This dog served with 4RAR in 1968-69. His first handler cannot be located. The dog went with Milo to 6RAR 1969-70 where his handler was Bruce Williams. Trajan's whereabouts after that are unknown.

During 1RAR's second tour in 1968, the unit employed two American Forces Scout Dogs. The German Shepherds were not successful, and one was killed in a contact

Reprinted here with the kind permision of Peter Haran, from his fine book "Trackers" The Untold Story of the Australian Dogs of War. Published by New Holland Publishers P/L ISBN 1 86436 605 2

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