Man Behind The Gun 43-06-06 (36) Trainer Of War Dogs [K9 Corps]

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Man Behind The Gun 43-06-06 (36) Trainer Of War Dogs [K9 Corps]"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harolds Old Time Radio
• Episode: Man Behind The Gun 43-06-06 (36) Trainer Of War Dogs [K9 Corps]
• Release Date: July 9, 2025

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Overview

In this compelling episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, titled "Man Behind The Gun: Trainer Of War Dogs [K9 Corps]," listeners are transported to the tumultuous backdrop of World War II. The narrative delves into the rigorous training of war dogs within the K9 Corps, highlighting the interpersonal dynamics between soldiers and their canine counterparts. Through vivid dialogue and immersive storytelling, the episode underscores themes of duty, camaraderie, and the psychological strains of war.

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Plot Summary

The episode opens with Sergeant Schulhauser briefing Richie Feeny, a spirited soldier eager for frontline action, about his new assignment: training war dogs. Initially resistant, Feeny prefers engaging directly in combat rather than working with canines. His skepticism is evident when he says, "War dogs? Dogs for defense, they call them now. Look, Sarge, I joined the army, not the circus. I want to see action." (03:03)

Despite his reluctance, Feeny is paired with Hutchins, a fellow soldier, and together they begin the arduous process of training dogs for battlefield roles. The training regimen is depicted as both physically and mentally taxing, emphasizing the discipline required to mold these animals into effective soldiers. Sergeant Schulhauser emphasizes the importance of obedience and resilience, instructing Feeny, "You command him and you don't let him bark." (11:02)

As Feeny adjusts to his new role, the bond between him and his dog, Legs, begins to develop. The narrative captures moments of tension and growth, such as when Feeny grapples with the moral complexities of taking a life: "I hate Germans more than you. Much more. I know them." (13:38). These interactions reveal Feeny's internal conflict and gradual acceptance of his responsibilities.

The climax of the episode occurs during a mission where Feeny and Legs are tasked with delivering crucial messages through hostile territory. The suspense builds as they navigate treacherous environments, culminating in a confrontation with enemy forces. Feeny's reliance on Legs proves pivotal when the dog successfully locates and neutralizes a Japanese soldier, demonstrating the effectiveness of their training: "Legs will get to him." (26:25).

In the aftermath, Feeny reflects on the experience, acknowledging the indispensable role of war dogs in warfare. The episode concludes with a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by both soldiers and their canine partners, encapsulating the profound impact of their collaboration on the war effort.

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Character Analysis

• Sergeant Schulhauser: Portrayed as a stern and disciplined leader, Schulhauser embodies the archetype of the seasoned military officer. His interactions with Feeny are marked by both authority and mentorship, pushing Feeny to overcome his initial reluctance and embrace his duties. Schulhauser's pragmatic approach underscores the military's reliance on structured training and unwavering focus.

• Richie Feeny: As the protagonist, Feeny's journey from skepticism to steadfast commitment serves as the emotional core of the episode. His initial disdain for dog training reflects a desire for direct combat, but through his evolving relationship with Legs, Feeny discovers purpose and resilience. His internal struggles highlight the psychological toll of war and the search for meaning amidst chaos.

• Hutchins: Serving as a supporting character, Hutchins provides a foil to Feeny's character, offering camaraderie and a contrasting perspective on their roles. His interactions with Feeny shed light on the varied motivations and coping mechanisms of soldiers in wartime.

• Legs (War Dog): Though not a speaking character, Legs symbolizes loyalty, bravery, and the silent strength that war dogs bring to the battlefield. His actions and demeanor significantly influence Feeny's transformation, embodying the perfect synergy between soldier and animal.

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Themes and Insights

1. Duty and Sacrifice: The episode underscores the multifaceted nature of duty, extending beyond human soldiers to include war animals. Feeny's eventual acceptance of his role as a trainer highlights the broader spectrum of contributions essential to the war effort.

2. Camaraderie and Trust: The evolving bond between Feeny and Legs illustrates the profound trust and reliance inherent in military operations. This relationship serves as a microcosm of the larger alliances formed during war.

3. Psychological Strain of War: Feeny's internal conflicts and moments of vulnerability shed light on the mental and emotional challenges faced by soldiers. The narrative poignantly captures the balance between maintaining resilience and grappling with fear and doubt.

4. Human-Animal Collaboration: The effective partnership between Feeny and Legs emphasizes the strategic importance of war dogs. Their collaboration exemplifies how diverse skills and strengths can be harnessed to achieve common goals in high-stakes environments.

5. Moral Ambiguity: Feeny's disdain for the enemy juxtaposed with his growing empathy and understanding reflects the complex moral landscape of warfare, where personal sentiments often clash with broader ethical considerations.

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Notable Quotes

• Richie Feeny: "War dogs? Dogs for defense, they call them now. Look, Sarge, I joined the army, not the circus. I want to see action." (03:03)

  Feeny expresses his initial reluctance and longing for frontline engagement.

• Sergeant Schulhauser: "You command him and you don't let him bark." (11:02)

  Emphasizes the importance of discipline and control in training war dogs.

• Hutchins: "You better get hard because if you come back at all, you will sit and cry all day too." (13:24)

  Highlights the harsh realities and emotional expectations placed on soldiers.

• Richie Feeny: "Legs, we did it. You and me." (22:01)

  Marks a moment of triumph and bonding between Feeny and his dog.

• Sergeant Schulhauser: "He knows all. Maybe he cares. But he's a messenger." (27:00)

  Reflects on the unspoken bond and mutual understanding between soldier and dog.

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Conclusion

"Trainer Of War Dogs [K9 Corps]" offers a nuanced portrayal of the indispensable role that war dogs have played in military history. Through the lens of Richie Feeny's transformation, the episode explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and the profound connections that can form between humans and animals in the crucible of war. The rich dialogue and character development provide listeners with an immersive experience, honoring the often-overlooked contributions of K9 units in shaping the outcomes of conflict.

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Note: This summary is based on the provided transcript and aims to capture the essence and key elements of the episode, offering insights into its narrative structure and thematic depth.

Transcript

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[Richie Feeny]

9.

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[Jackson Beck]

The Columbia Broadcasting System presents the man behind the Gun. Dedicated to the fighting men of the United States and the United nations and broadcast in the hope that these authentic accounts of men at war will bring to all of us a better understanding and deeper appreciation of the job being done by our fighting forces everywhere in the world. Back of the man behind the gun stands you, the farmer, the worker, the businessman, the plain citizen of America. If you were not winning the battle of the Middle west, the people of Great Britain, fortified with Wisconsin cheese and Kansas wheat, might not have withstood the withering waves of Nazi blitz. If you were not winning the battle of Detroit, Tunisia would not have fallen to the roaring rumble of General Sherman tanks. If you were not winning the battles of Long beach and Seattle, American air power could not be stopping the Japs in the tangled Pacific isles. Could not these long June days be pulverizing the industrial might of Germany and softening the Achilles heel of Italy. You also serve in the fullest sense. In the fields, in the kitchen, at the desk, at the lathe. All of you American citizens solidly behind the man behind the gun.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

During the past months, the man behind the gun has brought you many sounds of war. The high, deadly whine of a dive bomber, the sharp staccato of anti aircraft guns. The crack of a Garand rifle, the throbbing of a battleship's engines. But tonight we bring you a peaceful sound. A familiar sound which, like everything else, has gone to war. Tonight, the man behind the gun is a trainer. A trainer of war dogs. You're a jockey, a snub nosed, cocky little character who's hugged every rail from Santa Anita to Saratoga. This was the year you were going to ride the derby winner. You thought, well, you can stop thinking, kid, because you've got your official invite to play cops and robbers with Hitler. When you go for your physical, they tell you you're the boy who can do it.

[Richie Feeny]

Pretty solid, huh, Doc?

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Turn around and breathe it deeply, Feeny.

[Richie Feeny]

You birds waste too much time in this rigmarole.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Going someplace?

[Richie Feeny]

Yeah. Yeah, to Berlin. So come on, hurry it up. Those Nazis Need a fast lapping around. And I'm the kid to do it.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

You get your chance.

[Richie Feeny]

I think I want to be in on the kill and get it over with quick. Don't worry.

[Hutchins]

The war will be going on for quite a while.

[Richie Feeny]

I'll put five bucks across the board. We're in Berlin before Christmas.

[Hutchins]

Take a deep breath, Feeny. And exhale slowly.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Yep, you've got the trigger, Rich. And when they shove a rifle in your hand for basic infantry training, you grin as though you'd won the first at Hialeah. So you're not in the cavalry. Okay. You're small and light and hard are natural for advanced patrol work. Only you don't get a crack at it because one morning you find you're getting shipped to Front Royal, Virginia to train with war dogs.

[Richie Feeny]

War dogs? Dogs for defense, they call them now. Look, Sarge, I joined the army, not the circus. I want to see action. You will? Yeah, whenever we get near a tree. How did dogs get in this anyway? They were inducted, same as you. You mean they take a physical? Sure. They're put in 4F if they're under 20 inches high or got a bad heart or can't stand noise. What if they got dependents? I ain't kidding you. They even get typhoid shots. I suppose they get basic training too, huh? Sure. Same as you. Including GI callers and GI chow. I got five bucks says one thing ain't the same. What? I bet those flea traps don't pull KP So you're going to fight the.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

War at the wrong end of a leash. You don't like it one bit, and by the time you hit the shaved mountaintop that's Front Royal. You've made up your mind you're pulling out somehow and transferring to a real combat outfit.

[Richie Feeny]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

You fold your hands under your head and smile into the dark. That first night in the Front Royal barracks. You'll stay at the post until they have to scratch you.

[Richie Feeny]

Is that yacht going to go on all night? Shut your face. I'll blow it out your footlocker. That's made to a pack of dogs.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

What a war.

[Richie Feeny]

Well, somebody's using his head. Bump them off and we'll get a little sleep. Nobody's bumping them off. They're getting a new batch of dogs used to gunfire. Hmm. Come again?

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

You roll over on your side to talk to the sandy haired link in the next bed. He looks like a well rested Gary Cooper. His name's Hutchins.

[Richie Feeny]

They have to keep firing nearer and nearer Until a dog won't flinch when you shoot right over his head. Ain't that exciting? They have to do it at night. Sure. The Japs fight on a 24 hour day. Hey, you know, you don't have to work with dogs if you don't want them. Yeah. You tell me how I can duck it. And stay out of the guard house. Answer their letters. Whose letters? The dogs. They get more mail than anybody else. You ain't kidding me, are you? No. You think I can get the job? Sure. Nobody else wants it.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

So that's what you do. Become secretary to a kennel. Answer letters that come from hundreds and hundreds of kids. Tell them Rover is fine and thanks for the biscuits and the bows and the collars and the sweaters for the Greenland trip. Four days of it and you're a casualty with writer's cramp.

[Richie Feeny]

How's it coming, Feeny? Oh, fine, fine. One more day and they can amputate. I got a letter here for you, Hutch. For me? Well, for one of your hounds. Same difference. What does the letter say? Put five on the notes. I can tell you before I open it. Dear Rob Roy, how are you? How's the army treating you? We all miss you. Yeah, here it is. How's the army treating you? We all miss you very much. I guess you were lonesome for Jack. Well, he must be the kid's brother. Go on. We got a telegram Thursday night from the War department in Washington, D.C. that said he got missing in action. Mother says that just means Jack got lost for a while. But Vicky Morrison from next door says that means Jack got killed. I think Mother thinks so too because I can hear her crying at night when she thinks I am asleep. But I am not. What? Poor kid. Mother says you must do our share in the war for us while Jack is lost. I suppose you have a good trainer because you are smart and can beat Hitler and the Japs and the Germans. Please take care of yourself and do not get missing in action. I love you. Yours truly, Edith Leffler. P.S. when you go over the seas, please look for Jack. Wow. How are you gonna answer that? Dog's got a good trainer, I guess. Fed up to the ears with this job. With what you know about breaking in horses, you'd make a good dog trainer. I wanna fight. I'll bet that's why they sent you here instead of putting you in the cavalry. They're very smart of them. Only I don't want it. We sure could use you, though, you know. More men bust out of here Than dogs. They ought to send them much home. Oh, sure. We don't have enough as it is. One properly trained dog is equal to six men. Says who? The Army. How do they figure that? You put a dog on patrol and he can smell out a Jap and see in the dark better than a cat. And they can hear better than a man. They can tell one plane from another just by the sound of the motor. Yeah, yeah, sure, sure. They can bark their heads off and tell Adolf where to point his gun. Well, the Germans have a white dog that does that without barking. What are you handing me? Well, it's like this. We have a machine gun ambush, see? Beautifully camouflaged, eh? Nobody spots us. We're picking off Germans like bottles on a fence. And one day we look and we see a white dog staring at us. He raises a paw, he points and bang. A trench mortar comes flying over and we're on a little list for the hometown newspaper. Who are? You know, you're pretty wise without knowing anything about it. Okay, Hutch. Dogs are wonderful, but they ain't equal to any six men. In the first place, a man's got a head and he's got a gun. And in the second place, suppose I do train a dog. Suppose he's a holy terror. Smells out heinies like crazy and points him right off the map. And then I get picked off. Where's he? Still doing his job. Yeah, yeah. You're always flapping your jaw by getting over fast and mowing down the Germans. Well, one dog sees more action than any 10 soldiers. You train with them and you'll get all the action you want. You broken down jockey. Okay, Rover, I'll go to the dogs. Oh, now that stinks. So do the dogs.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

You get four dogs to train, so you'll be used to handling different kinds of. They're all just so much GI equipment to you until one of them develops the cute trick of biting you on the butt every time you turn around. He's a big, lean, black son of a gun with sort of crazy giggling eyes like the first two year old you ever rode at Belmont. He looks like a bad cross between a Belgian police and an Irish setter, but the army says he's a farm dog.

[Richie Feeny]

Hey, Hutch, what's a farm dog? That's a refined GI way of saying mongrel.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

You start basic training by handling him on a short six foot leash. Both of you are being taught by a master trainer, the big hulk of a hard faced German American sergeant named Schulhauser. He almost Smells of sauerkraut and you don't like him. For two cents, the dog marches around with you. And while you march, you teach him to heel. Only he's more interested in nipping you in the rear.

[Richie Feeny]

Sit, Fortune. Come on, get away from there. Now look, Baby, I'm very fond of you, but not when. Yeah?

[Hutchins]

Is that dog named Baby?

[Richie Feeny]

No.

[Hutchins]

Is he named Butch?

[Richie Feeny]

Well, no.

[Hutchins]

What, is he named Daddy Long Legs. Then call him that.

[Richie Feeny]

Now look, you can't call him Mutt.

[Hutchins]

You call a dog by the name he has always known. He's enough to learn without being further confused. You understand? Do you understand?

[Richie Feeny]

Yeah, I understand. Nicknames are verboten. Sergeant Schulhauser.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

After your dog learns to obey the different commands on a short leash. After you put him through the same routine on a 25 foot leash. And then without any leash at all. And that's the tough part. Like trying to get a horse to save something extra for the home stretch. You know he can do it, but you don't know how to tell him to stay.

[Richie Feeny]

Legs, stay. No, Baby, don't come with me. Stay where you are. Stay. Stay. Now that's it, Legs. Stay. Stay. Beanie. Yeah.

[Hutchins]

You don't beg a dog to stay. You command him to stay.

[Richie Feeny]

Okay?

[Hutchins]

You command him and you don't let him bark.

[Richie Feeny]

He just let out one of the. I had him O. Barking is boating, Sergeant Schulhauser.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

The dog's getting harder and you're getting to like him as much as a thoroughbred. He hardly barks now. And he doesn't want to play as much as you do. Sometimes you deliberately turn around badgering him to take a nip out of you, but he rarely does. You're down to the dirty work now. Teaching him to prowl. To smell out the enemy and grab him.

[Richie Feeny]

Leg attack. He hurtin your Kenyon? Yeah.

[Hutchins]

Come on, Rob.

[Richie Feeny]

His arm. Can't give it leg release. Good boy, Legs. That's getting him. Let's take a nip out all Adolf. Come on. You want to, playboy? You want to slap me around? What?

[Hutchins]

Now you know you're not to play with him. That dog is a soldier, not a pet. He's useless to us if you spoil him.

[Richie Feeny]

Okay. Petting his.

[Hutchins]

Don't say that.

[Richie Feeny]

Don't say what, Sergeant Schulhauser.

[Hutchins]

Kenyon, get a new arm guard. I'll work as Feeny.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Thanks, Arn.

[Richie Feeny]

All right.

[Hutchins]

Tell him to attack.

[Richie Feeny]

It's a pleasure. Legs. German attack. Call him. Call him off, Speedy. Call him up. Legs, release.

[Hutchins]

Why did you give that Command?

[Richie Feeny]

I just told him to attack.

[Hutchins]

That's not all you said.

[Richie Feeny]

That's the command you said.

[Hutchins]

German attack.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Why?

[Richie Feeny]

Because I'm sick and tired. I've been picked on by a fat faced Rennie.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Or you.

[Richie Feeny]

Release. Release. Legs release.

[Hutchins]

Thanks. Now you can go and turn me into the company commander. Magoran, tell me we're hit by an oncom, but don't ever call me a chairman.

[Richie Feeny]

I'm sorry, Serge. I'm a stick.

[Hutchins]

I picked on you because you were too easy with a smart dog. And we need them. Enemy gives their dog six months to a year of training, they can. Been doing it since the last war. We can't.

[Richie Feeny]

Why not?

[Hutchins]

We don't have enough. We have to send them right out. They need it so badly. You wasted time so I picked on you. Maybe in the wrong way, but there's no excuse for saying what you did.

[Richie Feeny]

Yeah, I know.

[Hutchins]

You don't know. Are you ashamed of the country you were born in? Are you ashamed to talk in public because people hate you for your accents? I hate Germans more than you. Much more. I know them.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

You are going off to war to kill.

[Hutchins]

Like. Like in the movies.

[Richie Feeny]

I'm going over to help finish it off quick.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Yeah, yeah, of course.

[Hutchins]

My brother went off like you. He is 6 foot 3 and worked in the Chicago stockyard. But he was as soft as you. He went to Guadalcanal and came back. Now he sits all day and cries.

[Richie Feeny]

Now hold on. Maybe I don't know Germans, but I do.

[Hutchins]

You know, you don't even know what you're fighting for and what it's like to fight. You better get hard because if you come back at all, you will sit and cry all day too.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

You haven't got time to wonder whether you're getting hard inside or not. You haven't even got time to look at the racing form. It's near the end of training now and the dogs are being reviewed for assignment in the field. Some are going to be scouts or sentries or pack dogs. Some are going.

[Richie Feeny]

What do they do?

[Hutchins]

They have a piece of leather attached to their collar. And you send them out to find wounded men. When they do, they take the leather in their mouth and come back.

[Richie Feeny]

Oh, and then you follow them to the wounded guy, huh?

[Hutchins]

Yeah.

[Richie Feeny]

Legs is a natural for that.

[Hutchins]

We have something else for him. So many messengers get killed, we want to substitute dogs. They can do it faster and safer.

[Richie Feeny]

Legs gonna be a messenger dog.

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[Hutchins]

You have two masters. You and I think Hutchins.

[Richie Feeny]

Hutch. Oh, that's swell.

[Hutchins]

You've got the training, so you'll almost any distance between the two of you.

[Richie Feeny]

Yeah, but suppose I send him to Hutch and Hutch has moved.

[Hutchins]

As long as the dog can pick up the scent, he'll find him.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

So you get to work. It's slow at first, but that dog wants to learn. He wants to learn and he does. Before you know it, he's carrying messages all over the joint and moving as fast as Man O War. And then he's ready and out you go. When you take him on the train, you're as excited as though you were putting a horse in a boxcar marked Louisville. He doesn't jump around now. He doesn't bark. He doesn't even growl. He's cold and he's hard. And heaven help the poor slob, he gets his teeth into. Looking at him quiets you down. And it isn't until later, when you're trying to grab some shut eye, that you get that feeling of waiting for a race to begin. You're sharing a lower berth with Hutch, which means that he and his feet have three quarters of it, and you're wedged up against the window.

[Richie Feeny]

Hutch, shut up. Ah, you can't sleep, can you? No. I never could on trains. Give you odds that four legged piece of black ice is pound McCulloch legs. Maybe you forgot to tell him he's going to war. Think you'd feel it. I'm popping myself. You'll kill me. Why? You're gonna mop up all the Nazis fast, aren't you? Maybe not all. You're gonna send Legs in with a message. It'll win the decisive battle. You're gonna stop Adolf single handed. You're gonna eat wiener schnitzel in Berlin. Oh, don't eat that. I don't want to be no Sergeant York, but this thing's been going on too long. We got to get in there and clean it up fast. Well, that's. You sure you feel like that? I don't know. I don't think about it much. How can you help thinking about It I'm in the army, I don't think I do what they give me to do. I want us to win, and I want to help us win. But I hope I don't get killed. Guess I'm a little afraid. You're a funny guy, Hutch. Just saw you, Feeny. Thank you. Hutch. Hutch, listen. You know what today is? Derby day, Hutch. Oh, Happy Derby day. I don't even know who won some horse. I expect my role. It was Count Fleet. Could be funny one, I guess. I don't care who won. Good night, kid.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

You wait on all kinds of lines for all kinds of things in the army. Sometimes it seems as though so half your time is spent in waiting. But none of it can stack up against waiting for a convoy to hit fort. You just wait and wait and wait and nothing happens till late one afternoon when you're up topside for a breath of air.

[Richie Feeny]

I love plans of Nazi. I hate German. I hate Germans, too. Yeah, but I'm afraid of German.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Oh, mother. This is the first time you ever heard guns going off in your direction. You shiver. You're a few yards from your command post giving legs his breakfast. All around you is a mess of sticky, stinking, hot smelling trees. It's taken you days of stumbling through jungle to get up to the front. Now that you're here, you want to take Legs and run someplace with him.

[Richie Feeny]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

You're scared. You reach down to grab his collar and then you stop. You can't interrupt him. He's eating as though he hasn't heard a peep. You both went through the same training. You're both soldiers. Only you're scared and he's hungry.

[Richie Feeny]

Yes, sir.

[Jackson Beck]

We're moving up and we've got to contact Captain Moreau's outfit.

[Richie Feeny]

Yes, sir.

[Jackson Beck]

He's about a mile and a half upstream.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Now, here, you better take this map.

[Richie Feeny]

Right.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

We're going to try to encircle that Jap position.

[Jackson Beck]

So Moreau and I must keep in touch the whole time.

[Richie Feeny]

Can I take my dog?

[Hutchins]

Yes.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Now, as soon as you find Moreau.

[Jackson Beck]

Get his answer to this message and.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Send it right back with legs.

[Jackson Beck]

Hutchins.

[Richie Feeny]

Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

You're moving on with us.

[Richie Feeny]

Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Now, Feeny, there's been plenty of fighting in there. Moreau's up to his neck and the whole area is lousy with Japs, dead and alive. Don't fire unless you absolutely have to. You'll give yourself away. Use your bayonet.

[Richie Feeny]

I get it.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

And watch out for those Japs. Sometimes they may only look dead if they don't stink stick em.

[Richie Feeny]

Yes sir.

[Jackson Beck]

Lots of luck.

[Richie Feeny]

Thanks. Look kid, don't you think that. Shut up.

[Hutchins]

He picked me.

[Richie Feeny]

Yeah, but look.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

I know.

[Richie Feeny]

Okay. Okay. Take care of the jerk Legs. Guess. You make sure you're around when he comes back. I'll be here.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

You snap a leash on Legs and start out. You only got a mile and a half to go but you sure wish you were riding it on Count Fleet. Only he couldn't get through this mess. The vines and branches slap in your face and the trees are dark and shadowy as you walk carefully after Legs. You're cold. You sweat like a pig, but you're cold. You watch the dog, his head up, sniffing as he picks his way. You're almost mad at him, he's so cool and sure. But his calmness steadies you. When you move on faster. You're not sure how far you've gone. When leg stops short and tugs sharply at the leash, you take it off. His tight like head moves slowly until it points at a thick clump of slimy trees and bushes. Like a black ghost he moves into the trees. You look up and around as you follow but his note. In a minute you see why. There's a dead Jap flat on his face in the mud. His hands reaching out onto snake like vines. You bend closer, peering at him. Then suddenly one of his eyes opens and his right hand shoots up clutching a pistol. You're frozen, cold still. But in a leap Blake's a darkness teeth sparing into a brown wrist. Now you come to life as sore as a boy. You raise your bayonet, plunge it down deep into flat flesh. Once, twice, three times. That does it.

[Richie Feeny]

Good. Go on ladies. Good.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Go on.

[Richie Feeny]

Release.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

You begin wiping the bayonet off on his shirt. But you're afraid you're going to be sick so you get away fast. Now you remember what the captain said. If they don't stink stick em.

[Richie Feeny]

What a jerk. What a jerk.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

After a while you slow down. That Jap was number one. The first notch in your belt.

[Richie Feeny]

Legs, we did it. You and me.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

We slid a guy and how do you feel? You feel lousy. You don't want them to kill you, but you don't want to kill them until Legs jerks on the leash again.

[Richie Feeny]

What is it boy?

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

This time it stinks all right. It's a fuzz faced blond kid stripped to the bone. And you can see lots of bone. You can see how the Japs have sliced him. And you're sick Right then and there. You feel better afterwards. And now you watch the dog's nose, hoping you'll smell out another brown butcher so you can do a job on. We're almost there. The gunfire tells you you're not going to walk in on a game of Spit in the Ocean either. You duck in and out through the trees. Finally, during a lull in the firing, you meet up with a dirty, tired bunch of GIs. You walk up to one of them resting by a light trench mortar.

[Richie Feeny]

Hey, Johnny. Where's Captain Moreau?

[Hutchins]

That's me.

[Richie Feeny]

Oh, I got a message for you.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Sir, from Captain Wetzel. Oh, good.

[Hutchins]

Know anything about mortars?

[Richie Feeny]

Some.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Fine. You'll have to give me a hand.

[Hutchins]

With this, if you can.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

We've been having some trouble and we're pooping out a little.

[Richie Feeny]

Yeah, sure. Oh, down.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Those chimps must live on Benzedrine. Let me use your back so I.

[Hutchins]

Can write a message to work.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Sure. Does Hound ever carry a message before?

[Richie Feeny]

Not in action.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Guns don't bother him. Think he'll get through?

[Richie Feeny]

He got me through.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Take the message from him and slip it into the carrier attached to the dog's collar. He stands there, black and firm and big. Almost too big. Run your hand along his back as you kneel beside him.

[Richie Feeny]

Make it good, baby.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Run like the devil and make it good. And then you'll remember, don't pet him. You'll ruin him. So you move away a little and say in a hard voice, message, go. And boy does he go. Black streak shooting into the black trees, slipping under the gunfire, away from open ground and into the shadows.

[Richie Feeny]

Look at him take cover.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Look at him. I wish soldiers had the sense of dog.

[Richie Feeny]

Yeah, so do I.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

You're worried. You've changed position twice and you know Moreau is waiting for that dog to get back. Waiting for an answer from Captain Wexler. It's really a good dog, Captain. Sure is a good dog.

[Richie Feeny]

I guess it's pretty important to get that message from Captain Wexler, huh?

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Yeah. We don't hear pretty soon.

[Richie Feeny]

You couldn't use a radio or a telephone or something? No.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

We don't even take any. Move around too much and the squints would intercept anything.

[Richie Feeny]

He's a good dog. And smile.

[Hutchins]

Stop worrying, Feeny.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

He'll get through. Of course.

[Richie Feeny]

You know, things can happen, even to the best dog. He'll get through.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Getting pretty thick, sir. Well, if Wexler's got that message, we.

[Hutchins]

Can box him up certain.

[Richie Feeny]

Captain, Maybe you ought to send a runner out, huh?

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

You want to go?

[Richie Feeny]

Yes.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

And what happens if your dog is looking for you? Well, you could shut up and relax. This is your first day at the rat race, isn't it?

[Richie Feeny]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Well, soldier, you've had an awful lot happen so far. Don't be a hog. Oh, they're getting tough now. You're some heaviest stuff.

[Hutchins]

Get on that motor, Feenie.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Right.

[Hutchins]

And keep your mind on it.

[Richie Feeny]

Yes.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Running back and forth among the men. Watching the guns, watching the firing. Watching 50 million things. But you know his mind is always on that message from Wetzler and the black dog that's got to bring it. You start worrying all over again. And then you begin worrying about handling the mortar in two minutes. Your mind's so boxed up in what you're doing that you don't realize something is rubbing your shoulder. Something cold. Something wet. Something that feels like a dog's nose.

[Richie Feeny]

Flex. Flex. Oh, baby, I knew you'd do it. Wait. You dirty, sloppy. Flex. Wee. Bang. Hey, Captain. Captain, come here.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Beautiful flanks.

[Richie Feeny]

Hey, Captain, here's your message.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

What were you worrying about, kid?

[Richie Feeny]

Oh, boy, nothing.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

You scuff Legs around while the captain reads the note. Dog lets you, but he doesn't play back. The day hasn't been very different for him. He just wants some water. And while you're giving it to him, the captain comes over.

[Hutchins]

How tired is he?

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Three miles couldn't knock him out. Wexler doesn't know that the Japs have shifted. He's going around the wrong way. We gotta get him back this way.

[Richie Feeny]

Legs will get to him.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Say, this boy touching him?

[Richie Feeny]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Bumped off.

[Richie Feeny]

Oh, dead.

[Hutchins]

He was fading when the dog got there.

[Richie Feeny]

That was fast. Geez, that was fast. What? Nothing. Look, if he's dead and they're moving.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

On, they're taking his body with him. Will that make any difference to the dog? You look at Legs and your eyes follow the set line of his back.

[Richie Feeny]

No, it won't make any difference. He'll find out.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

Good. Here's the message. You take it and you kneel down beside the dog to put it in his carrier. You don't pat him. You don't whisper to him. You don't nuzzle his ear.

[Hutchins]

Yeah, I guess he does.

[Sergeant Schulhauser]

He knows all. Maybe he cares. But he's a messenger. Between two guys, one of them happens to be dead, but that doesn't change the job. Yeah. That dog knows this isn't cops and robbers. It's about time you knew it. You're not yelling bang, bang with a broomstick. You're not playing three shots for a nickel either You're. It's going to take a long time to finish. You're not going to be eating Wiener schnitzel and Berlin or sukiyaki in Tokyo for a long time. There's plenty to do. First, take a look at the dog. He's waiting. Well, what are you waiting for, soldier? You've got a job to do. Get down to business. Thanks. Message go. All incidents in this broadcast are based upon fact. The names used, however, are wholly fictitious and any similarity to those of actual individuals in the armed forces is coincidental. In just a moment, we will tell you about next week's man behind the Gun. But first, a message from your government.

[Jackson Beck]

We ask you to listen to the sound of a can of bacon grease. Stand by. The glycerin required to fire those five anti tank shells can be reclaimed from only two pounds of waste cooking fat. Save your kitchen fats and take them to your meat dealer who will pay you for them. Your kitchen is an arsenal. Don't pour gunpowder down the drain. The man behind the Gun is produced and directed by William N. Robeson. Tonight's broadcast was written by Corporal Arthur Lawrence. Jackson Beck is the narrator and the original score is composed and conducted by Van Cleve. Next week, the man behind the Gun celebrates United Nations Flag Day with the inspiring story of our allies in action. This is the Columbia Broadcasting system.

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