The Most Decorated Dog In History Read Online Free Page A

had been ill, Stubby had, once again, visited his friends in the casualty centre where surgical operations were taking place all day and night in addition to the many cases requiring bandaging and bathing. Once again, Stubby was made welcome and as soon as he was feeling better he started to wander amongst the patients, cheering them up and being the centre of attention. They loved him! No matter how ill the patients were, they would try to reach out to stroke the dog. He was the best distraction from pain and the best form of medication known to man. Some in the hospital had this dog to thank for either finding them on the battlefield and bringing help or barking an air-raid warning or gas alert. This dog was a friend and a lifesaver. He was becoming famous among the troops along the front line.
    Every effort from the Germans to shut down the Allied Force crumbled with the Second Battle of the Marne. Despite their high hopes to use the Spring Offensive to crush the British and American troops, the Germans failed. Even their highly trained Storm Troopers were put under pressure by the relatively inexperienced US troops and sent into retreat. Still, there seemed no let-up in the march for glory. Millions already been killed and yet no lessons had been learnt from the disaster at Gallipoli, the many months of hell played out at Ypres, the yellow mud of the Somme and the seemingly never-ending campaign in Verdun. With neither side showing signs of superiority or ultimate strength it was likely the US joining the war could be mistaken for more cannon fodder for the German machine guns. Nothing had been solved and the two sides remained locked along rigid lines that ran from the Belgian-French border on the Channel to Luxembourg and the German border.
    Peace remained elusive but the thirst for victory intensified on both sides. By the time the fighting commenced in Chateau Thierry in June 1918, the intense focus on the use of artillery was taking its toll on the troops and the environment. Shells blew deep holes in the earth and buried or split open the soldiers who ventured into their path. The sight of trees blown completely out of the ground or covered in soldiers’ remains was something the survivors would replay in their nightmares for years to come. This pretty French town was scarred by the war and to help win it back for the Allies the Americans drafted in more of their countrymen. African-American regiments were called up to do their duty serving with the French troops. It gave units like the Harlem Hellfighters (the 93rd Infantry Division) a chance to live up to their name – they were certainly being posted to the nearest place anyone could imagine to a hell on earth. Serving with the French 16th Division, this unit went on to receive the Croix de Guerre for its action in Chateau Thierry.
    The Americans were to engage in a series of pitched battles and Stubby would play his part, showing every time an amazing allegiance to his master. One day, as the units advanced over open, shell-cratered ground, the artillery bombardment was heavy and unrelenting. Suddenly, the men saw Stubby hit the ground and for one terrible second Conroy thought he had been hit. But then the dog’s front paws went up over his ears and his stubby tail stuck out behind him. Seconds later, a huge explosion hit with earsplitting effect. Conroy was on the floor, thrown and stunned but impressed with his dog’s actions. Stubby had sensed the oncoming shell and if the men had been watching him they could have all hit the ground well ahead of the explosions. From that moment on, the troops stayed close to Stubby because as their advanced warning system he would inevitably save lives. Conroy could not have been more pleased with and proud of his dog.
    The Second Battle of Marne had instigated an offensive by the Allied Forces which would became their first major and victorious offensive of the war. The Hundred Day Offensive started on 8 August 1918 and