The Mascots of the 12th Field Artillery Battalion
When we think of World War II, our minds naturally turn to fierce battles, sacrifice, and the hardships endured by those who served. Yet even on the front lines, soldiers often found comfort in unexpected companions. Throughout the war, many men of the 2nd Infantry Division adopted dogs, pigeons, rabbits, and other animals that became beloved mascots of their units.
The following excerpt from the Combat Chronicle of the Twelfth Field Artillery Battalion offers a fascinating glimpse into these often-overlooked stories:
“Any general survey or summary of the Twelfth’s men and battle record would be incomplete without mention of the pets acquired by the men from time to time in the course of their fight across Europe. Dogs blossomed like weeds around soldiers, some to stray and some to stay.
Pfc. Paul C. Montgomery picked up a little black pup near Vire, which Headquarters Battery soon became very attached to. He was named Eight-Ball and remained with the battalion until he was unfortunately lost near Laudesfeld.
Lucky, a white fox terrier adopted by Pfc. Andrew H. Piterson during the first bivouac in Brittany, stayed with Headquarters Battery’s wire section all the way to Czechoslovakia.
Headquarters Battery’s kitchen crew also cared for a pigeon named Pete. After Pete unexpectedly laid an egg, the bird was promptly renamed Petunia. She remained with the battery throughout much of the Brest campaign before eventually disappearing.
Other batteries had their own mascots as well—dogs such as Black Bastard, Brassiere, Brownie, Suzy, and Peanuts, each with their own story of companionship during the campaign across Europe.
Perhaps the most unusual mascot was White Trash, a white rabbit adopted by Battery D. She survived heavy shelling during the Battle of the Bulge, but after the men had survived a week living only on K-rations, they ultimately made the difficult decision to cook and eat her in order to survive.”
As in many armies throughout history, animals became an important part of daily life for the soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division. They offered companionship, lifted morale, and provided brief moments of normalcy amid the hardships of war. For many young soldiers, most only 18 to 20 years old, these animals became loyal friends during some of the most difficult days of their lives.
Did your father, grandfather, uncle, or another relative who served in the 2nd Infantry Division ever mention a unit mascot or pet?
