A dog called Antis (Ant)
When I first came across this story, I thought it was unbelievable that it had to be another fake piece of nonsense that was so common on the internet. Well they say that sometimes fact is stranger than fiction and here is the proof, what’s more this is the condensed version of this dog’s extraordinary life!!
RAF: Royal Air Force
World War II started on 1st September 1939; 2 days later, what became known as the Phoney War began and continued for around 8 months. During this time, there was minimal actual conflict other than the Allies attempting to cause economic damage to the enemy. During one of the isolated actions that took place during that period, Robert Bozdech, a Czech flier, was to meet a German Shepherd Dog puppy. During the next 13 years, the two would develop an extraordinary bond, share danger, and do something unique, which created a record that will never be broken.
All of this is so ironic because the danger that the puppy posed to Robert at their first meeting was nearly fatal. The puppy almost didn’t survive as Robert had to consider the unthinkable; in order to save himself and escape detection, he considered killing the animal.
Crash landing
It all started when Robert was the gunner in a plane on a reconnaissance mission that crashed and landed in no man’s land between Germany and France. Hiding in a barn, they discovered a German Shepherd puppy, but as escape was a priority instead of rescuing stray animals, our intrepid aviators departed, leaving the stray puppy to its fate. Unfortunately, the puppy, decidedly miffed at being left behind, decided to howl, attracting the enemy’s unwanted attention. Robert returned, intending to kill the noisy canine by hitting it on the head with a rock. Robert then discovered that what appeared to be a simple solution in theory was not so simple when faced with reality. With the values that military personnel have, killing enemy soldiers is “part of the job”, but taking the life of an innocent animal is totally unacceptable and actually quite difficult to do.
Having failed to destroy the puppy, he put it inside his flying jacket, and the two men effected their escape into France.
Robert named his newfound friend Ant after his favourite aircraft that Czechoslovakian pilots were so fond of, but this was extended to Antis to avoid confusion with the tiny creature of the same name.
With the fall of France, Robert made his way to England via Gibraltar, intending to smuggle Antis through in a kit bag, thus avoiding quarantine, which he couldn’t afford. Unsurprisingly, Ant almost gave the game away by sticking his head out of the bag.
Early warning
Shortly after arriving in England, it was discovered that Ant was able to give advanced warning of impending air raids and, after one particular raid, assisted in discovering trapped people under the rubble. It also appeared that Antis could provide early warning of impending air raids long before the air raid sirens sounded.
Having volunteered, Robert would join the RAF.
The first time Ant flew on a mission, he had stowed aboard the plane unknown to Robert, a decision which almost killed him. When he was discovered, due to the altitude, Antis was found to be struggling to breathe, so Robert was forced to share his own oxygen mask. This difficulty was overcome for future missions as an adapted mask was created. Robert had long been worried about what would happen to Antis if he failed to return from a bombing mission. With that in mind, he decided to take Antis with him, working on the principle that if the worse came to the worse, they would die together.
Needless to say, canines on board Wellington bombers on a mission were strictly forbidden. Still, it appears that as Antis had become the squadron mascot, the officers ignored what was happening. It has been recorded that one officer was heard to say.
“What the eye doesn’t see, the heart won’t grieve.”
A distinguished career
Ant took part in over 30 missions during his perilous flying career and was wounded twice. On both occasions, he suffered his injuries in silence, and they only became apparent when, on returning to base, Ant was observed to be bleeding.
His exploits were, of course, an open secret that the RAF constantly denied, but in the end, the truth emerged. However, far from being embarrassed, the RAF used the story as an inspiration. After all, a dog willing to brave anti-aircraft fire, enemy fighter planes and blinding searchlights was an inspiration. He had been wounded in action, and what’s more, he was German!!
With the war over, Robert and Ant returned to Robert’s native Czechoslovakia only to find himself being hunted by the new communist regime and forced to flee. During his escape from his homeland, yet again, he was indebted to Antis, who warned him of the presence of those hunting him. He assisted Robert and others to avoid the searchlights and the fixed machine gun positions. How ironic that a man and his dog who had risked their lives to free Europe from tyranny were considered subversives in their own country.
As far as I can find, a civilian dog flying 30 bombing missions with the RAF remains a record that is unlikely ever to be broken!!
Like no other
Antis was the only dog that Robert ever owned. Sadly, this meant that his children had to grow up without the companionship of one, but I guess that his stance was not that unexpected, considering what the two of them had endured. I have always advocated that comparing pets past and present is wrong as the one considered inferior can’t possibly understand why its owner treats it accordingly. Robert, in fairness, recognised that his relationship with Antis could never come close to being replicated and that it wouldn’t be fair to any future dog.
In 1949, Antis was awarded the Dicken Medal, which is considered the animal’s Victoria Cross.
He passed peacefully on the 11th of August, 1953, at 14 years of age.
“A dogs loyalty is a precious gift that should never be taken for granted.”
Anon