Antis (dog)
| Antis | |
|---|---|
| Species | Dog |
| Breed | German Shepherd |
| Sex | Male |
| Born | c.1939-1940 |
| Died | 1953 |
| Years active | 1940—1945 |
| Notable role | Mascot, No. 311 (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF |
| Known for | Recipient of Dickin Medal for bravery |
| Owner | Václav Robert Bozděch |
Antis was a dog who received the Dickin Medal in 1949 from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals for bravery in service in England and North Africa during the Second World War.[1][2][3]
Life
Antis was found as a puppy in a barn in France by Václav Robert Bozděch, a Czech airman shot down while serving in the French Air Force. When France surrendered to Germany, Bozděch and Antis moved to England to join No. 311 (Czechoslovak) Squadron RAF, based first at Speke, Liverpool, where Antis assisted in searching for survivors after an air raid, despite being wounded himself.[2] A few months later, 311 Squadron was posted to RAF East Wretham in Norfolk and, despite regulations prohibiting Antis flying with Bozděch, he took part in around 30 missions.[2][3] He became a mascot for the squadron as well as a personal pet, but stayed with Bozděch when he returned to his native Czechoslovakia after the war. When Bozděch had to flee Czechoslovakia again in 1948 from the growing persecution of army personnel who served on the side of western allies by the communists who recently gained power after the 1948 Czechoslovak coup d'état, Antis helped him escape, guiding him and several others around searchlights and the field of fire of a fixed machine gun position, and allowing them to cross safely into West Germany.[3]
Antis was formally recognised for his heroics in 1949, when he was awarded the Dickin Medal, which is frequently referred to as "the animal's Victoria Cross".[2][3][4][5][6] Václav Bozděch became a British national two years later, in 1951, and Antis lived with him until he died around the age of 13-14.[2][3][7]
References
- ↑ "Dickin Medal dogs". People's Dispensary for Sick Animals. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Lewis, Damien (31 October 2013). "So loyal, so brave, the dog who flew against the Luftwaffe". Daily Mail. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Velinger, Jan (18 March 2009). "The story of a Czech WW II airman and his remarkable dog". Radio Praha. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ↑ "PDSA Dickin Medal". PDSA. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ↑ "Military search dog to receive animals' Victoria Cross". Ministry of Defence. 8 February 2010. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ↑ "The Animals' VC". BBC Radio 4. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ↑ Long, David (2012). The animals' VC: for gallantry and devotion: the PDSA Dickin Medal - inspiring stories of bravery and courage. London: Preface. ISBN 9781848093768.
Further reading
- Lewis, Damien (2013) War Dog: The No-Man’s Land Puppy Who Took To The Skies. Sphere. ISBN 978-0751552751
- Ross, Hamish (2007) Freedom in the Air: A Czech Flyer and His Aircrew Dog. Pen & Sword Aviation. ISBN 978-1844155903