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Horrie The War Dog: The Story of Australia's Most Famous Dog
In the harsh Libyan desert in World War II, Private Jim Moody found a starving puppy. Moody adopted him and called him Horrie. More than a mascot, Horrie repeatedly saved the lives of the thousand-strong contingent.The little dog' warning ritual of sitting, barking, then dashing for the trenches had the gunners running for cover before they even heard the enemy aircraft.
Horrie accompanied Moody through the battle zones of the Middle East and beyond. As Japanese forces spread across Asia, Moody and his mates joined the fight, smuggling Horrie onto a troop ship for the harrowing back to Australia. Once the war was over, Moody brought Horrie out of hiding to raise money for the Red Cross and the brave little dog'a story became widely known. When quarantine officers pounced, demanding the dog be put down, there was a public outcry. How could a cruel bureaucracy heartlessly kill this little four-legged hero? Was Horrie condemned to die or Moody devise a scheme to save him?
Horrie accompanied Moody through the battle zones of the Middle East and beyond. As Japanese forces spread across Asia, Moody and his mates joined the fight, smuggling Horrie onto a troop ship for the harrowing back to Australia. Once the war was over, Moody brought Horrie out of hiding to raise money for the Red Cross and the brave little dog'a story became widely known. When quarantine officers pounced, demanding the dog be put down, there was a public outcry. How could a cruel bureaucracy heartlessly kill this little four-legged hero? Was Horrie condemned to die or Moody devise a scheme to save him?
338 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2013
About the author
Roland Perry
62 books45 followersProfessor Roland Perry (born 11 October 1946) is a Melbourne-based author best known for his books on history, especially Australia in the two world wars. His Monash: The Outsider Who Won The War, won the Fellowship of Australian Writers' 'Melbourne University Publishing Award' in 2004. The judges described it as 'a model of the biographer's art. In the Queen's Birthday Honours of June 2011, Perry was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia 'for services to literature as an author.In October 2011, Monash University awarded Perry a Fellowship for 'high achievement as a writer, author, film producer and journalist.His sports books include biographies of Sir Donald Bradman, Steve Waugh, Keith Miller and Shane Warne. Perry has written on espionage, specialising in the British Cambridge Ring of Russian agents. He has also published three works of fiction and produced more than 20 documentary films. Perry has been a member of the National Archives of Australia Advisory Council since 2006.
In late 2012 Perry accepted an adjunct appointment at Monash University as a Professor, with the title ‘Writer-in-Residence’ in the University’s Arts Faculty.
In late 2012 Perry accepted an adjunct appointment at Monash University as a Professor, with the title ‘Writer-in-Residence’ in the University’s Arts Faculty.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 26, 2022
In 1945 Ion Idriess published his book Horrie the Wog-Dog.
In 2103, Roland Perry published this book - Horrie the War Dog with the slightly more politically correct title.
There are some spoilers in my review below, but I have tried to be discrete. The basics of Idriess' book are spelled out in the blurb of Perry's book (I have no blurb on Idriess' as my copy has no dust jacket).
Both books tell the same story - of a few month old Egyptian Terrier puppy found in the Libyan Desert in 1941 by Private Jim Moody a dispatch rider in signals platoon of the 6th Div 2/1st Australian Machine-Gun Regiment. While out training on his motorcycle with his fellow dispatch rider Don Gill, they spotted the skinny white puppy with the stub tail hunting lizards in the rocks.
Befriending it, and taking it back to camp, their fellow platoon members, whose nickname was 'The Rebels', generally because of their history with trouble - AWLs, discipline and general scruffiness.
First they had to come up with a name. Many were discarded, but wog-dog was a popular choice (Wog being the Aussie slang for Bedouin, or Arab - despite not being very PC), but they needed something more - "We cannot insult him with such a name. How about adding 'Horrie', a good old Aussie name. 'Horrie the Wog-dog".
And both books go on to describe the actions of the dog, who becomes a mascot for the platoon, but also very helpful - taking messages, guarding their belongings from light fingered Bedouin, but perhaps most invaluably - proving an early warning of air raids.
The books also share some of the hijinx the men get up to, including how they manage to smuggle Horrie from country to country, and the other army and navy mascots they come into contact with.
The major undertaking, of course it bringing Horrie back to Australia. This is incredibly challenging as you can imagine if you have ever seen Australian Border Control on TV. While the men achive the smuggling of Horrie into Australia, the Customs Office eventually catch up with Jim Moody and he is compelled to turn Horrie over, for quarantine offers to 'assess'.
This is where Idriess' book ends. Perry's book, written well after the passing of all the central characters (Jim Moody in 1979), has a significant addition to the story, which is outlined only in a spoiler tag below.
.
When it comes to ratings, it is reasonable to consider the different styles and benefits each author had.
Idriess was commissioned by Angus & Robertson to take the diaries Moody had submitted to them and turn them into a narrative. It is not fiction, and 'mostly' accurate, but he has used a lot more conversations in the writing than Perry, who perhaps maintains a little more personal distance from the story, and uses far fewer direct conversations.
Idriess is not particularly well portrayed in Perry's book. Idriess is blamed for encouraging Moody to go public with Horrie, which Perry says is purely to drive sales of the book. Perry indicates Idriess says that war memoirs are flooding the market and without a media circus the book will likely fade into the background. Idriess says public opinion and media support will prevent the government agencies from taking the hardline action on Horrie that Moody fears. This of course in not the case.
Idriess' book - 4 stars.
Perry of course has a much longer perspective with his book. He is able to use all the legwork Idriess did in writing his book and as both are based on Moody's diaries, they are very similar. Events (even chapters) occur in the same order, have very similar chapter breaks and contain identical anecdotes (with one exception - the captain of the US ship that returns them to Australia - quite differently written - although the reason is Idriess changed the facts to simplify Horrie's arrival in Australia). Perry has the follow up events, and the media circus which brings more to light, and he has some direct reporter inputs from after the fact.
Perry's book - 5 stars.
If you are a dog person, and have the oportunity to read either book, I would happily recommend you do so. If you can only obtain the Idriess book, have a go at some internet research once you have finished the book.
In 2103, Roland Perry published this book - Horrie the War Dog with the slightly more politically correct title.
There are some spoilers in my review below, but I have tried to be discrete. The basics of Idriess' book are spelled out in the blurb of Perry's book (I have no blurb on Idriess' as my copy has no dust jacket).
Both books tell the same story - of a few month old Egyptian Terrier puppy found in the Libyan Desert in 1941 by Private Jim Moody a dispatch rider in signals platoon of the 6th Div 2/1st Australian Machine-Gun Regiment. While out training on his motorcycle with his fellow dispatch rider Don Gill, they spotted the skinny white puppy with the stub tail hunting lizards in the rocks.
Befriending it, and taking it back to camp, their fellow platoon members, whose nickname was 'The Rebels', generally because of their history with trouble - AWLs, discipline and general scruffiness.
First they had to come up with a name. Many were discarded, but wog-dog was a popular choice (Wog being the Aussie slang for Bedouin, or Arab - despite not being very PC), but they needed something more - "We cannot insult him with such a name. How about adding 'Horrie', a good old Aussie name. 'Horrie the Wog-dog".
And both books go on to describe the actions of the dog, who becomes a mascot for the platoon, but also very helpful - taking messages, guarding their belongings from light fingered Bedouin, but perhaps most invaluably - proving an early warning of air raids.
The books also share some of the hijinx the men get up to, including how they manage to smuggle Horrie from country to country, and the other army and navy mascots they come into contact with.
The major undertaking, of course it bringing Horrie back to Australia. This is incredibly challenging as you can imagine if you have ever seen Australian Border Control on TV. While the men achive the smuggling of Horrie into Australia, the Customs Office eventually catch up with Jim Moody and he is compelled to turn Horrie over, for quarantine offers to 'assess'.
This is where Idriess' book ends. Perry's book, written well after the passing of all the central characters (Jim Moody in 1979), has a significant addition to the story, which is outlined only in a spoiler tag below.
.
When it comes to ratings, it is reasonable to consider the different styles and benefits each author had.
Idriess was commissioned by Angus & Robertson to take the diaries Moody had submitted to them and turn them into a narrative. It is not fiction, and 'mostly' accurate, but he has used a lot more conversations in the writing than Perry, who perhaps maintains a little more personal distance from the story, and uses far fewer direct conversations.
Idriess is not particularly well portrayed in Perry's book. Idriess is blamed for encouraging Moody to go public with Horrie, which Perry says is purely to drive sales of the book. Perry indicates Idriess says that war memoirs are flooding the market and without a media circus the book will likely fade into the background. Idriess says public opinion and media support will prevent the government agencies from taking the hardline action on Horrie that Moody fears. This of course in not the case.
Idriess' book - 4 stars.
Perry of course has a much longer perspective with his book. He is able to use all the legwork Idriess did in writing his book and as both are based on Moody's diaries, they are very similar. Events (even chapters) occur in the same order, have very similar chapter breaks and contain identical anecdotes (with one exception - the captain of the US ship that returns them to Australia - quite differently written - although the reason is Idriess changed the facts to simplify Horrie's arrival in Australia). Perry has the follow up events, and the media circus which brings more to light, and he has some direct reporter inputs from after the fact.
Perry's book - 5 stars.
If you are a dog person, and have the oportunity to read either book, I would happily recommend you do so. If you can only obtain the Idriess book, have a go at some internet research once you have finished the book.
March 12, 2017
Private J B (Jim) Moody was a dispatch rider with the Signals group, 'The Rebels', attached to the 2/1 Machine Gun Battalion, 6th Division, AIF, stationed in the western desert outside Alexandria in Egypt. A dedicated dog lover, he found and rescued a starving, wandering puppy, which was a small breed of local terrier. Dubbed 'Horrie', he was adopted as the battalion’s mascot and travelled everywhere with the men in Egypt, Greece, Crete, Palestine and Syria.
‘Horrie the Wog Dog’, as he was affectionately called, was intelligent, easily trained and effective as a guard dog, protecting the camp and the troops' belongings. He was credited with saving the lives of servicemen many times, by barking to give advance warning of German planes nearby, allowing them time to take shelter.
On Crete, Horrie became a messenger dog, was wounded in action by a shell splinter, and survived the sinking of the transport ship Costa Rica during the evacuation from Greece in April 1941.
Following the fall of Singapore to the Japanese in February 1942, all Australian troops serving in the Middle East were recalled home to defend their own country. Appalled at the prospect of losing their beloved companion and mascot, Moody and several more of ‘The Rebels’ conspired to hide Horrie and smuggle him into Australia, in contravention of quarantine laws. Their plot succeeded and Horrie lived a quiet life in suburban Melbourne with Moody’s father for the next 3 years.
Sadly, in early 1945 news reports about Horrie the hero appeared in the media, which drew the attention of the Commonwealth Quarantine authorities. Moody was ordered to surrender the dog, and according to official records, Horrie was destroyed on the order of the Director of Veterinary Hygiene on 12 March 1945.
There is an alternative ending to the story, which suggests that Horrie did not die. The author, historian Roland Perry, has exposed this version in a credible way, and his Afterword acknowledges many sources of information. Some 70+ years later, it is hard to establish anything beyond all reasonable doubt, and readers may make up their own mind. In terms of the appeal of the book, the tension over Horrie’s fate creates a genuine sense of suspense and intrigue. Did the dog survive the worst of Australia’s bureaucratic posturing? (There are conflicting, and often angry, rebuttals from various writers which can be viewed on-line courtesy of Google.)
Horrie The War Dog is a fictionalised account of the story, based on historical facts. Like many such novels, the author has used his imagination to create several possible scenarios, to make an historical story easily accessible to a wide readership. Whatever the facts of Horrie’s fate might be, I think it is important to focus on the dog’s achievements and the dedication of the servicemen who adopted him and preserved him for so long. Horrie was a hero, an asset and a much loved companion in the often depressing lives of soldiers at the war front.
The book, enlivened by the qualities of the audio sound track, provides many appealing and humorous anecdotes about Horrie’s exploits with the Rebels. For me one of the other great aspects of the book is the insight it gives into the lives and habits of the Australian servicemen on or near the front lines of WW2. Amidst all that horror, I can imagine how a clever, cute little dog could relieve anxieties, and furnish lots of laughs to offset the grimness. No wonder the dog was adored by the battalion.
Listening to the audio book of this novel was a great treat. The story is read by David Tredinnick, a well-known Australian actor, who demonstrates a keen ear for the various accents and vernacular speech of the Australian soldiers of the era. He injects a lot of colour and humour into his telling of the tale. Perry has gone to considerable lengths to invoke the atmosphere of the period, especially the language of the troops. Tredinnick has the talent to create precisely the right feel with both his vocal range, as well as his phrasing and timing.
My minor criticisms of the novel are not connected with the controversy over Horrie’s death. There are some odd inconsistencies and jarring elements in Perry’s narrative. Perry’s decision to portray the situations this way may be a genuine reflection of the attitudes of the Australian and British forces at that time. Having said that, overall it is a most entertaining story, one that I valued more because of its basis in historical fact.
4★s
‘Horrie the Wog Dog’, as he was affectionately called, was intelligent, easily trained and effective as a guard dog, protecting the camp and the troops' belongings. He was credited with saving the lives of servicemen many times, by barking to give advance warning of German planes nearby, allowing them time to take shelter.
On Crete, Horrie became a messenger dog, was wounded in action by a shell splinter, and survived the sinking of the transport ship Costa Rica during the evacuation from Greece in April 1941.
Following the fall of Singapore to the Japanese in February 1942, all Australian troops serving in the Middle East were recalled home to defend their own country. Appalled at the prospect of losing their beloved companion and mascot, Moody and several more of ‘The Rebels’ conspired to hide Horrie and smuggle him into Australia, in contravention of quarantine laws. Their plot succeeded and Horrie lived a quiet life in suburban Melbourne with Moody’s father for the next 3 years.
Sadly, in early 1945 news reports about Horrie the hero appeared in the media, which drew the attention of the Commonwealth Quarantine authorities. Moody was ordered to surrender the dog, and according to official records, Horrie was destroyed on the order of the Director of Veterinary Hygiene on 12 March 1945.
There is an alternative ending to the story, which suggests that Horrie did not die. The author, historian Roland Perry, has exposed this version in a credible way, and his Afterword acknowledges many sources of information. Some 70+ years later, it is hard to establish anything beyond all reasonable doubt, and readers may make up their own mind. In terms of the appeal of the book, the tension over Horrie’s fate creates a genuine sense of suspense and intrigue. Did the dog survive the worst of Australia’s bureaucratic posturing? (There are conflicting, and often angry, rebuttals from various writers which can be viewed on-line courtesy of Google.)
Horrie The War Dog is a fictionalised account of the story, based on historical facts. Like many such novels, the author has used his imagination to create several possible scenarios, to make an historical story easily accessible to a wide readership. Whatever the facts of Horrie’s fate might be, I think it is important to focus on the dog’s achievements and the dedication of the servicemen who adopted him and preserved him for so long. Horrie was a hero, an asset and a much loved companion in the often depressing lives of soldiers at the war front.
The book, enlivened by the qualities of the audio sound track, provides many appealing and humorous anecdotes about Horrie’s exploits with the Rebels. For me one of the other great aspects of the book is the insight it gives into the lives and habits of the Australian servicemen on or near the front lines of WW2. Amidst all that horror, I can imagine how a clever, cute little dog could relieve anxieties, and furnish lots of laughs to offset the grimness. No wonder the dog was adored by the battalion.
Listening to the audio book of this novel was a great treat. The story is read by David Tredinnick, a well-known Australian actor, who demonstrates a keen ear for the various accents and vernacular speech of the Australian soldiers of the era. He injects a lot of colour and humour into his telling of the tale. Perry has gone to considerable lengths to invoke the atmosphere of the period, especially the language of the troops. Tredinnick has the talent to create precisely the right feel with both his vocal range, as well as his phrasing and timing.
My minor criticisms of the novel are not connected with the controversy over Horrie’s death. There are some odd inconsistencies and jarring elements in Perry’s narrative. Perry’s decision to portray the situations this way may be a genuine reflection of the attitudes of the Australian and British forces at that time. Having said that, overall it is a most entertaining story, one that I valued more because of its basis in historical fact.
4★s
June 1, 2015
Started listening to the audiobook version of this while driving through the desert after midnight. So you think I would have been desperate for something to hold my attention during a 13 hour drive. This didn't do it. We learn of the death of Horrie in the first 30 minutes of the narration-death by bureaucracy and "I'll make an example of you mentality". That totally killed my interest in learning how he saved the lives of the soldiers. No way to tell a story. Supposedly Horrie might have been switched with another dog. Needless to say the death of any animal under these circumstances is appalling. And with Johnny Depp's situation you can see things haven't changed much in Australia in 70 years. Two different situations completely but the attitude is still the same-death to dogs whose owners circumvent the law; celebrity, war hero it doesn't matter.
November 3, 2015
Mr Perry one again brings his snooze worthy prose to what should have been a ripping yarn
2 stars only
2 stars only
February 24, 2016
A good description of life amongst Australian soldiers in WWII. I found the racism, although probably usual for those times, a bit hard to take.
July 21, 2014
Wonderful story - anyone who is a dog lover would enjoy this book about a very brave and very smart little dog that saved a lot of Aussies during WWII.
May 12, 2018
This is a lovely story. An Aussie digger riding a motorcycle in the desert rescues a puppy sleeping rough. It is immediately accepted by the platoon and adapts quickly to being an Aussie. They name him Horrie the Wog dog because he is Egyptian. Horrie hates the locals and initially serves as the platoon's guard, protecting their kit and possessions from being stolen by the locals. Soon enough, Horrie is initiated to the fighting, inside the battle dress jacket of the despatch rider. He demonstrates and uncanny ability to hear bombers well before humans and becomes an early warning device. Over time he is regarded as having saved the life of everyman in the Battalion as well as many many more. He is given his own battle dress, Division colour patch and "dog" tags. As the war progresses, Horrie is smuggled into various other theatres in the Middle East; Greece, Crete, Palestine. He serves heroically and even becomes wounded. Eventually Horrie is repatriated to Australia despite a tense issue with the American ship's captain. Ultimately Horrie is ordered to be executed by a heartless Director of Quarantine in Canberra.
This book is replete in great yarns full of Aussie humour. It also shows the larrikin spirit of the diggers and their innate resistance to authority. It comes highly recommended.
This book is replete in great yarns full of Aussie humour. It also shows the larrikin spirit of the diggers and their innate resistance to authority. It comes highly recommended.
May 28, 2019
I picked this book up to learn more about the lives and experiences of the men of the 2/1 Machine Gun Battalion, the battalion my grandfather served with in the second World War.
From that POV, I was engaged as Perry described locations and events that I had heard my late Grandfather speak of at length over the years. The insert photos were so similar to the ones I had been shown in my childhood of "Pop's War Years".
The problem with this book is that it doesn't know if it's a historical reference or a historical fiction and the writing style seems to jump between the two, but not succeeding at either.
From that POV, I was engaged as Perry described locations and events that I had heard my late Grandfather speak of at length over the years. The insert photos were so similar to the ones I had been shown in my childhood of "Pop's War Years".
The problem with this book is that it doesn't know if it's a historical reference or a historical fiction and the writing style seems to jump between the two, but not succeeding at either.
December 29, 2020
This is the second time I have read 'Horrie'" and despite the inconsistency of the narrative, it is a very entertaining yarn. It is a very Australian story, delightfully anti-authoritarian and and tells of an Egyptian terrier puppy adopted by a group of Australian soldiers in world war 2. They smuggle him to Greece when they are pitched against the invading Germans they discover that Horrie can hear the sound of an incoming attacking German Stuka before it can be seen or heard by humans. Horrie barks a warning, the troops take shelter and the myth is born. Horrie continues to be hidden by the Australian troops and gets back to the Middle East and eventually to Australia. As I said, it is a very entertaining read. It must be, I've read it twice.
January 2, 2020
Well written, well passed. This diary of a war dog shows the human side of the soldiers who were so far from home, fighting in often hospitable conditions. It also shows the power hungry bureaucracy of some of the commanding officers that never achieve the desired result.
Horrie, the star, so small he worms his way into his new families heart and replays them several times over, is the appitimity of a good loyal dog.
Worth a read.
Horrie, the star, so small he worms his way into his new families heart and replays them several times over, is the appitimity of a good loyal dog.
Worth a read.
July 29, 2022
Kill the hero in Chapter 1? That's a no from me. I know the rest of the book will tell me how brave and wonderful little Egyptian dog Horrie was for the Australian soldiers who took him under their wing. Guaranteed buckets of tears for me. So ... I ... just ... won't.
If you like this kind of thing and your tear ducts need a good clean out - go for it.
If you like this kind of thing and your tear ducts need a good clean out - go for it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2019
Beautiful story about a 1 of a kind dog that brought so much morale to a bunch of diggers at War. If you are a dog person with an appreciation to what those diggers did for us then you will love this story.
June 11, 2021
I would have liked a brief version of this. I loved everything about the dog and the relationship with the men but I didn't have the strength to go into all that the dog Sid during the war. Very well told witg lots of detail and warmth.
October 26, 2023
One of my favourite childhood books. It was my Mum's original copy from the 1940s (which she subsequently gave to charity in my teenage years much to my horror. :(). However, she redeemed herself by finding me another vintage copy a few Christmas' ago, much to my delight.
March 3, 2024
I could not put this down once I started it. Although the book is about a dog in a war it is a book about war and I still found it riveting. I wish I could discuss this book with fellow readers in a book club, there is just so much to talk about.
I highly recommend this book.
I highly recommend this book.
July 27, 2017
This book was amazing! I can't say to much without giving anything away. So I will just say it was bloody fantastic!
August 26, 2017
Mateship of old
Great Australian story with insight into the Australian spirit and mateship and how dogs have a special place in our hearts
Great Australian story with insight into the Australian spirit and mateship and how dogs have a special place in our hearts
November 23, 2018
CAT LOVERS: SKIP CHAPTER 22.
January 14, 2019
Great Australian war story!!
June 16, 2019
An outstanding book.... I loved it.
April 6, 2022
I challenge anyone to read this and not fall in love with that little pup.
March 19, 2024
4.5
Really enjoyed this auto book. I wish I had learnt about Horrie in school. I'm so glad I know his story now.
such an amazing dog :) with an amazing story
Really enjoyed this auto book. I wish I had learnt about Horrie in school. I'm so glad I know his story now.
such an amazing dog :) with an amazing story
February 10, 2025
Entertaining enough. Wonder how much is true though
April 11, 2014
I loved this true story. I heard the author interviewed on ABC radio and couldn't wait to read the book. Aussie soldiers in Egypt during the Second World War adopted this little stray. He would warn them when enemy planes were coming. He saved countless lives and was smuggled back to Australia only to be impounded by officious quarantine officials 3 years after arriving, once his heroics were made known.
May 29, 2014
OMG, as a animal lover, I have to say the start of this book really upset me. I was outraged at the actions of the officials, and hoped the book would improve.
Thankfully it did, and this is a wonderful story of a wonderful dog who in the field of war saved many lives by being a early warning system.
The book, (apart from a section about the treatment of one of the units mascots on the way home from the war, heading into Freo, YANKEE b**tard!!! I am still upset by it)was a fantastic read.
Thankfully it did, and this is a wonderful story of a wonderful dog who in the field of war saved many lives by being a early warning system.
The book, (apart from a section about the treatment of one of the units mascots on the way home from the war, heading into Freo, YANKEE b**tard!!! I am still upset by it)was a fantastic read.
February 11, 2014
A really nice story. Well told, easy to read and visualise, I am glad I read it. Thanks to my daughter for buying it for me for Christmas because I never would have bought it for myself.
September 14, 2014
It had a lot of potential, but dragged in places and the last 40 odd pages were painful. The last 40 pages are why I gave 3 instead of 4 stars.
October 1, 2015
Great twist....amazing story.
October 22, 2015
What a story! Wonderful narration - nice to have the Australian accent for an Australia story. So glad thing worked out, although with a fair amount of heartbreak.
February 13, 2016
a great read, a war story that shows the Aussie spirit and ingenuity. definitely worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews