Silent Heroes: The Greatest Animal Warriors in History

Author: Evelyn Le Chene
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-08-01
Features: Bobby was a small white dog who became a hero during the brutal Battle of Margallo in the Afghanistan War. Vovin, a rare Syrian bear, fought alongside the Polish army during the Monte Cassino campaign. Donkey Murphy, still remembered by many, found wounded soldiers during the Gallipoli massacre and brought them to safety. Compared to the numerous unforgettable animals in this book who are celebrated for their extraordinary bravery and passion, this is just a small part. They put their own safety aside, went beyond their training and duty, and demonstrated selfless contributions in war. Evelyn Le Chene deeply researched the original materials that are usually hard to obtain, had the opportunity to talk with witnesses, and revealed many previously unrecorded details about these silent heroes in the 40-year-long human war. Through careful investigation, she uncovered the mystery of Rob – a shepherd dog who served in the Air Special Forces in North Africa and Italy, awarded the Dickin Medal for his heroic deeds, but whose story was only recorded in his commendation. Evelyn Le Chene was allowed access to those confidential intelligence files, enabling her to reveal for the first time the key role pigeons played in delivering messages for the Allied intelligence services and the French Resistance. This book tells the heroic deeds of each animal against the backdrop of relevant wars or campaigns, accompanied by maps and photos that are usually hard to obtain, many of which are being publicly shared for the first time. Through the descriptions of these incredibly brave animals, The Silent Heroism is both inspiring and humbling. This is a fitting tribute to the bravest among the brave.