2016 20c Coin 'Anzac to Afghanistan' - DOGS AT WAR

2016 20c Coin 'Anzac to Afghanistan' - DOGS AT WAR

Animals have always had a place on the battlefield, whether it is horses pulling ambulances or artillery pieces, cats and kangaroos as mascots, or pigeons carrying vital information from the front line. In modern conflicts, dogs play an important role in searching enemy compounds for contraband and detecting improvised explosive devices. In this regard, many Australian soldiers serving in the world's most hostile areas owe their lives to man's best friend.

During the Vietnam War (1962-1972) the Australian Task Force operating in Phuoc Tuy Province used 11 Labrador-cross tracker dogs to follow up enemy blood trails. The dog would follow the scent until a location was found, then “point” towards the suspected hideout for his handler. In the dense jungle of South Vietnam, the Australian tracker dogs were outstandingly successful and ultimately saved the lives of Australian soldiers who may have otherwise walked into an enemy ambush. More recently in Afghanistan, where Australian troops encountered improvised explosive devices, dogs were used to sniff out hazardous areas searching for explosives ahead of an advancing patrol. They were also used to hunt for weapons caches in compounds used by the Taliban, and also searched vessels for drugs and other forms of contraband.