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WWII History: Following is an article on a British Parachutist who lost his life serving his country on June 6th, 1944, D-Day of the Normandy invasion. He played an interesting role within his unit, that of a dog-handler. American units also employed dogs as both scouts and messengers during WWII, but only in the Pacific theatre. |
Emil Corteil
9 Para, 6th Airborne Division
Emil S. Corteil became a casualty of war on June 6th, 1944. Although his age was listed as 19 years old with Army records it is likely that this had been stretched on enlistment, and his age was truly closer to 17 or 18. What follows is a brief tribute to his service and the unique role he played within the British Airborne forces of World War II.
Pte. Corteil (known as 'Jack' within the unit) served in 'A' Company, 9 Parachute Battalion, 3rd Parachute Brigade, of the 6th Airborne Division. He was trained as a dog-handler, and in the photo to the right he is pictured along with Glen, his Alsatian messenger dog. Veterans of his unit have mentioned that the close relationship that developed between Emil and Glen started out under unusual circumstances, when his commanding officer gave Emil and a fellow para the job as a punishment for poaching.
Pte. Corteil with Glen
Airborne forces in World War II would be behind enemy lines for hours or even days, and the disposition of their troops and the those of the enemy were often fluid until link-ups were made with ground forces. As such extra measures were taken to ensure they could properly communicate internally and with other units. A common solution was the use of carrier pigeons by parachute and special operations units that operated behind enemy lines or otherwise could not carry heavy radio equipment. Another solution was to use messenger dogs.
The practice of using trained messenger dogs was developed during World War I by the armies of Britain, France and Germany. Messages were stored in containers attached to the dog's collar, who was then trained to run between a unit headquarters and the front lines. These dogs had the advantage of speed and endurance when crossing dangerous areas, and presented a smaller target for snipers. A dog could also more easily navigate the complex serpentine trench systems by using their heightened sense of smell. The Alsatian breed, also known as the German Shepherd Dog, was especially suited to wartime conditions. It is equally comfortable in hot and cold climates, is sturdy, loyal and its intelligence lends to quick training.
A Company, 9 Para - Corteil & Glen seated front
The liberation of France began with Operation Overlord, the Normandy invasion, on the night of June 5th-6th, 1944. The British 6th Airborne Division and two American airborne divisions landed behind the beaches along the Normandy coast.
Their role was to disrupt enemy communications and movement, secure important road centers, and destroy potential threats to the sea-borne troops who would land hours later on the morning of June 6th.
Pte. J Baty of 'A' Company jumped from the same plane as Pte. Corteil. He remembers that everyone seemed somewhat afraid, and that the troops sang songs to boost their spirits. Pte. Baty helped to get Glen the "Paradog" out of the door during the jump, but when they landed the entire 'stick' was dispersed. The Germans had flooded much of the ground in the Normandy area to hinder paratroopers and gliders from landing. Corteil's stick landed south of the town of Cabourg, well away from their intended drop zone and into this type of marshy ground. The water hid deep flooded ditches which could drown a heavily laden man, and which made navigation and movement exceedingly difficult.
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Corteil and Glen managed to rendezvous with their brigade commander, Brigadier James Hill DSO MC, at the village of Varaville in the early morning hours of June 6th. Brigadier Hill himself had landed far from his intended drop-zone and had spent the night pushing through the water-logged countryside gathering up men as he went.
With forty or so men Brigadier Hill headed towards the 9th Battalion's position some miles away. It was during the march that disaster struck. In the words of Brigadier Hill:
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"We were walking down a lane when I suddenly heard a terrible staccato sound approaching from the seaward side of the hedge. I shouted to everybody to fling themselves down and then we were caught in the middle of a pattern of anti-personnel bombs dropped by a large group of aircraft which appeared to be our own Spitfires."
The attack was devastating; only Brigadier Hill and one other man could even stand, the rest had been severely wounded or killed. Hill gave what first aid he could, applying morphia to the wounded and handing out supplies. He could not stay long though as his absence jeopardized the success of the brigade's operations, and so he soon pushed on.
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Pte. Corteil and Glen were both killed in the attack. They were buried together at the insistence of Major Parry, Corteil's company commander who had led the assault force against the Merville Battery the night before. Parry believed that since they were so devoted to each other in life it was proper that they should share the same grave. The following epitaph, written by Pte. Corteil's mother, appears on their gravestone: Had you known our boy you would have loved him too. "Glen" his paratroop dog was killed with him. |
 Emil & Glen's Gravestone |
They are buried in the Ranville War Cemetery in Normandy, France. The grave is located at Plot IA, Row G, Grave 13. If you pass this way please consider paying your respects to a young man who lost his life serving his country and the free peoples of the world.
Sources and Recommended Reading:
Harclerode, Peter. Go To It, The Illustrated History of the 6th Airborne Division, Bloomsbury, London, 1990 Lemish, Michael G. War Dogs, Canines in Combat, Brassey's, Washington, 1996 Shilleto, Carl. Pegasus Bridge, Merville Battery, Combined Publishing, Pennsylvania, 1999
