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There is a medal in the world that no man has ever been awarded. And this is not surprising, because this sign of the military only animals that shared with man all the hardships of combat everyday life. Maria Dikin Medal 1943 Maria Dikin, who founded the People’s Hospital for the sick animal initiated institution awards for representatives wildlife involved in the fighting and distinguished themselves at the same time. On the medal framed by a laurel wreath the inscription “For courage”, and below “We also serve.” Traditional award presents the Lord Mayor of London. The medal is considered the highest military Great Britain’s award for animals and is equated with the Order “Victoria Cross”. 
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The pigeons received the first Maria Dikin Medal. Despite the development radio, during the second world war english secret services used pigeon mail even on a larger scale than in First one. 200 thousand pigeons helped the English military, 15 thousand of they died. National Pigeon Service liaised with agents in occupied France, on every reconnaissance aircraft, each ship must have a carrier pigeon. The Germans were aware of this and snipers shot down carrier pigeons, a separate service hauled hawks to destroy winged postmen. Mary Exeter, who received the medal, pigeon flew in with a fragmented wing and three gunshot wounds. From 1943 to 1949 54 wordless fighters were awarded: 32 pigeons, 3 horses, 18 dogs and 1 cat. Among the awarded: Fox Terrier Handsome, thanks to whom during the bombing of London were 62 people were saved, saving the 63rd, the dog died; legendary spaniel Rob, on whose account the parachute jumps as part of parachute in North African and Italian campaigns Royal Blue pigeon, who for several years supported connection between London and the Dutch Movement Resistance; Airedale Irma, which discovered 233 people in the ruins of London after the bombing and thereby saved them. 
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At the end of the war, it seemed that there would be no more reason for presenting this unusual medal, but it was not so. Heroes of our time after an almost fifty-year break took place Another rewarding with the Maria Dikin Medal. In 2000, she was awarded Newfoundland Gender (posthumous); in 1941, Gender took over a grenade explosion, and thereby saved the lives of wounded Canadian foot soldiers. In 2001, 3 dogs received the award: Apollo, Rivi and Solty, who took part in saving people after the collapse of buildings New York Shopping Center September 11th. In 2010, a medal received Labrador Treo, who discovered an explosive in Afghanistan high power device. In 2012 he was awarded posthumously Theo Spaniel. Corporal Liam Tasker and his friend Theo engaged mine clearance. The corporal died in a shootout. The faithful dog survived the owner only for a few hours: his heart did not withstood separation and burst. The last award took place in June 2013 Ajax German Shepherd Awarded for Detection during the visit of the King of Spain to Mallorca devices. They had no choice In 2004 in London opened a memorial in memory of all animals that died in the war. IN the sculpture group included 2 mules loaded with weapons, a horse and dog. On the wall surrounding the composition, bas-reliefs depict dog, carrier pigeons, horses, camels, mule, elephant, cat and cow. Each time, starting another slaughter, a man dragged along a war of animals tamed and entrusted to him. And they followed him. Because they had no choice.
Dog Time War
