MAGINOT DAIRY FARM

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20101, 22 November 1939, Page 5

MAGINOT DAIRY FARM

FRESH MILK DAILY LIVING CAMOUFLAGE MAGINOT LINE, Oct. 16. Part of the business of the Maginot Line is dairy-farming. Above many a buried fortress graze 20 or 30 cows and a few goats—living camouflage, and a source of supplies for the troops. An enemy airman (lying over the fortress would see nothing but harmless cattle cropping the grass. Their pasture looks just like any other field. The troops in the Line enjoy the creamy milk whjph the cows give every day. They also enjoy the idea that their "home farm” helps to hoodwink “les Boches.” If the Germans should ever get within striking distance of the Line a ramp leading to the inner galleries will open and the cows and goats will disappear into the earth. The “farmers” of the French Army train dogs besides looking after cows and goats. These dogs go out to seek for wounded in the thick forests along *he front. When they find an injured man they run back for stretcher jbearers. Their value has been proved over and over again since the invasion of the Saar region began. Alsation police dogs have also been trained to carry messages. The despatches are pul in pouches fastened to their collars. These intelligent dogs are taught to make use of cover, and to shelter in trenches.