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Smoky the Brave: How a Feisty Yorkshire Terrier Mascot Became a Comrade-in-Arms during World War II
The extraordinary, touching true story of Smoky, the smallest--and arguably bravest--dog of World War II
In February 1944, as Japanese military advances threatened to overwhelm New Guinea, a tiny, four-pound Yorkshire Terrier was discovered hiding in the island's thick jungles. A total mystery as to her origins, she was adopted by US Army Air Force Corporal William "Bill" Wynne, an air-crewman in a photo reconnaissance squadron, becoming an irreplaceable lucky charm for the unit. When Smoky saved Wynne's life by barking a warning of an incoming kamikaze attack, he nicknamed her the "angel from a foxhole."
Smoky's exploits continued when she jumped for the unit in a specially designed parachute and famously joined the aircrews flying daring sorties in the war-torn skies. But her most heroic feat was running a cable through a seventy-foot pipe no wider than four inches in places to enable critical communication lines to be run across an airbase which had just been seized from the enemy, saving hundreds of ground-crew from being exposed to enemy bombing.
In recognition of her efforts, Smoky was awarded eight battle stars. Smoky the Brave brings to vivid life the danger and excitement of the many missions of World War II's smallest hero.
In February 1944, as Japanese military advances threatened to overwhelm New Guinea, a tiny, four-pound Yorkshire Terrier was discovered hiding in the island's thick jungles. A total mystery as to her origins, she was adopted by US Army Air Force Corporal William "Bill" Wynne, an air-crewman in a photo reconnaissance squadron, becoming an irreplaceable lucky charm for the unit. When Smoky saved Wynne's life by barking a warning of an incoming kamikaze attack, he nicknamed her the "angel from a foxhole."
Smoky's exploits continued when she jumped for the unit in a specially designed parachute and famously joined the aircrews flying daring sorties in the war-torn skies. But her most heroic feat was running a cable through a seventy-foot pipe no wider than four inches in places to enable critical communication lines to be run across an airbase which had just been seized from the enemy, saving hundreds of ground-crew from being exposed to enemy bombing.
In recognition of her efforts, Smoky was awarded eight battle stars. Smoky the Brave brings to vivid life the danger and excitement of the many missions of World War II's smallest hero.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2018
35 people are currently reading
518 people want to read
About the author
Damien Lewis
83 books450 followersDamien Lewis became an author largely by accident, when a British publisher asked him if he'd be willing to turn a TV documentary he was working on into a book. That film was shot in the Sudan war zone, and told the story of how Arab tribes seized black African slaves in horrific slave raids. Lewis had been to the Sudan war zone dozens of times over the past decade, reporting on that conflict for the BBC, Channel 4 and US and European broadcasters.
His slavery documentary told the story of a young girl from the Nuba tribe, seized in a raid and sold into slavery in Khartoum, Sudan's capital city, and of her epic escape. The publisher asked Lewis if the Nuba girl would be willing to write her life story as a book, with his help as co-author. The book that they co-wrote was called 'Slave', and it was published to great acclaim, becoming a number one bestseller and being translated into some 30 lanc guages worldwide. It won several awards and has been made into a feature film.
Over the preceding fifteen years Lewis had reported from many war, conflict and disaster zones – including Sudan, Sierra Leone, Eritrea, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Iraq, Syria, Burma, Afghanistan and the Balkans (see Author's Gallery). He (and his film crew) traveled into such areas with aid workers, the British or allied military, UN forces or local military groups, or very much under their own steam. He reported on the horror and human impact of war, as well as the drama of conflict itself. Often, he worked alone. Often, he filmed his own material over extended periods of time living in the war or conflict zone.
During a decade spent reporting from around the world Lewis lived in deserts, rainforests, jungles and chaotic third world cities. In his work and travels he met and interviewed people smugglers, diamond miners, Catholic priests 'gone native', desert nomads, un-contacted tribes, aid workers, bush pilots, arms dealers, genocidal leaders, peacekeepers, game wardens, slum kids, world presidents, heroin traffickers, rebel warlords, child prostitutes, Islamist terrorists, Hindu holy men, mercenaries, bush doctors, soldiers, commanders and spies. He was injured, and was hospitalised with bizarre tropical diseases – including flesh-eating bacteria, worms that burrow through the skin and septicemia – but survived all that and continued to report.
It was only natural that having seen so much of global conflict he would be drawn to stories of war, terrorism, espionage and the often dark causes behind such conflicts when he started writing books. Having written a number of true stories, in 2006 he was chosen as one of the 'nation's 20 favourite authors' and wrote his first fiction, Desert Claw, for the British Government's Quick Read initiative. Desert Claw tells of a group of ex-Special Forces soldiers sent into Iraq to retrieve a looted Van Gogh painting, with a savage twist to the tale. That fiction was followed up by Cobra Gold, an equally compelling tale of global drama and intrigue and shadowy betrayal.
Damien Lewis's work, books and films have won the Index on Censorship (UK), CECRA (Spain), Project Censored (US), Commonwealth Relations (UK), Discovery-NHK BANFF (Canada), Rory Peck (UK), BBC One World (UK), BBC-WWF Wildscreen (UK), International Peace Prize (US), Elle Magazine Grande Prix (US), Victor Gollanz (Germany), and BBC One World (UK) Awards. He is a Fellow of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
His slavery documentary told the story of a young girl from the Nuba tribe, seized in a raid and sold into slavery in Khartoum, Sudan's capital city, and of her epic escape. The publisher asked Lewis if the Nuba girl would be willing to write her life story as a book, with his help as co-author. The book that they co-wrote was called 'Slave', and it was published to great acclaim, becoming a number one bestseller and being translated into some 30 lanc guages worldwide. It won several awards and has been made into a feature film.
Over the preceding fifteen years Lewis had reported from many war, conflict and disaster zones – including Sudan, Sierra Leone, Eritrea, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Iraq, Syria, Burma, Afghanistan and the Balkans (see Author's Gallery). He (and his film crew) traveled into such areas with aid workers, the British or allied military, UN forces or local military groups, or very much under their own steam. He reported on the horror and human impact of war, as well as the drama of conflict itself. Often, he worked alone. Often, he filmed his own material over extended periods of time living in the war or conflict zone.
During a decade spent reporting from around the world Lewis lived in deserts, rainforests, jungles and chaotic third world cities. In his work and travels he met and interviewed people smugglers, diamond miners, Catholic priests 'gone native', desert nomads, un-contacted tribes, aid workers, bush pilots, arms dealers, genocidal leaders, peacekeepers, game wardens, slum kids, world presidents, heroin traffickers, rebel warlords, child prostitutes, Islamist terrorists, Hindu holy men, mercenaries, bush doctors, soldiers, commanders and spies. He was injured, and was hospitalised with bizarre tropical diseases – including flesh-eating bacteria, worms that burrow through the skin and septicemia – but survived all that and continued to report.
It was only natural that having seen so much of global conflict he would be drawn to stories of war, terrorism, espionage and the often dark causes behind such conflicts when he started writing books. Having written a number of true stories, in 2006 he was chosen as one of the 'nation's 20 favourite authors' and wrote his first fiction, Desert Claw, for the British Government's Quick Read initiative. Desert Claw tells of a group of ex-Special Forces soldiers sent into Iraq to retrieve a looted Van Gogh painting, with a savage twist to the tale. That fiction was followed up by Cobra Gold, an equally compelling tale of global drama and intrigue and shadowy betrayal.
Damien Lewis's work, books and films have won the Index on Censorship (UK), CECRA (Spain), Project Censored (US), Commonwealth Relations (UK), Discovery-NHK BANFF (Canada), Rory Peck (UK), BBC One World (UK), BBC-WWF Wildscreen (UK), International Peace Prize (US), Elle Magazine Grande Prix (US), Victor Gollanz (Germany), and BBC One World (UK) Awards. He is a Fellow of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust, and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
August 2, 2022
When I saw that Damien Lewis had another book on a dog from WWII, I expected a lot. Two of his other books, Judy: A Dog In A Million, and The Dog Who Could Fly are in my very small group of favorite dog books. I have also enjoyed a couple of other books where he is listed as a co-author. So I had high hopes for this book and it delivered. Smoky is a great book that I would highly recommend, especially for those also fans of WWII history. I think there is some other tie-ins for dog lovers, his role as a therapy dog, and him being trained to do tricks for shows that could also hook in more dog book lovers interested in those topics as well.
Smoky winds up being attached to the Reconnaissance Squadron. Which while it may not sound as exciting as the bomber and fighter squadrons, Mr. Lewis makes it sound pretty exciting with the trips into enemy territory in unarmed planes to take pictures. He gives you enough info on those that are lost to make you mourn each life who died in service to his country. Then the pictures have to be quickly developed and then sent to leadership. There is a lot of history but I found it all interesting and didn't find any of it tedious. (If you want dry boring history, read 'Sea Dog Bamse: World War II Canine Hero' by Angus Whitson and Andrew Orr.)
You don't find out Smoky's origins until the Epilogue. The Epilogue gave a log of great info.
There are a few 'lucky' incidents where the dog's 'intelligent disobedience' helped save his owner Wynne from danger. Personally, I believe that God works through dogs, but some might say people just have a lot more luck when they are with a dog and attuned to what a dog is telling them.
Wynne has his dog visit wounded in the hospitals and may even be the first therapy dog. He trains him to do tricks and give shows. Anyone who likes to do the same with their dog may be able to pick up a few tricks.
There is so much good in this book that I wish I could pass on, but I think it best if you read the book to get it all. I leave you with one paragraph I liked:
... Wynne carried Smoky to the lawn outside, where he propped her into a GI helmet, to recreate the winning Yank Magazine image for the Red Cross photographer. But Smoky's tongue was hanging out exhaustedly, and it struck Wynne that she looked more like a dog-tired, war bitten soldier, than what she had been back then - namely, the gift that never stopped giving.
Smoky winds up being attached to the Reconnaissance Squadron. Which while it may not sound as exciting as the bomber and fighter squadrons, Mr. Lewis makes it sound pretty exciting with the trips into enemy territory in unarmed planes to take pictures. He gives you enough info on those that are lost to make you mourn each life who died in service to his country. Then the pictures have to be quickly developed and then sent to leadership. There is a lot of history but I found it all interesting and didn't find any of it tedious. (If you want dry boring history, read 'Sea Dog Bamse: World War II Canine Hero' by Angus Whitson and Andrew Orr.)
You don't find out Smoky's origins until the Epilogue. The Epilogue gave a log of great info.
There are a few 'lucky' incidents where the dog's 'intelligent disobedience' helped save his owner Wynne from danger. Personally, I believe that God works through dogs, but some might say people just have a lot more luck when they are with a dog and attuned to what a dog is telling them.
Wynne has his dog visit wounded in the hospitals and may even be the first therapy dog. He trains him to do tricks and give shows. Anyone who likes to do the same with their dog may be able to pick up a few tricks.
There is so much good in this book that I wish I could pass on, but I think it best if you read the book to get it all. I leave you with one paragraph I liked:
... Wynne carried Smoky to the lawn outside, where he propped her into a GI helmet, to recreate the winning Yank Magazine image for the Red Cross photographer. But Smoky's tongue was hanging out exhaustedly, and it struck Wynne that she looked more like a dog-tired, war bitten soldier, than what she had been back then - namely, the gift that never stopped giving.
March 17, 2019
William 'Bill' Wynne discovered a dog in an abandoned foxhole in the jungles of Papua New Guinea. Not sure on where the dog comes from or even its breed he takes the dog in,cares for it and is gives it the name Smoky. Smoky saves Bill Wynne's life and becomes invaluable to the him and people around him. Fascinating story that will leave in awe of the power of a little dogs dedication and loyalty.
November 15, 2018
I absolutely LOVE this book! Smoky the Brave is a phenomenal story of a heroic four-pound Yorkshire terrier.
William 'Bill' Wynne had trained as an aerial photographer in the United States. So, Lewis begins this fascinating story by mentioning the image of Donald Duck riding on a speeding cloud which is painted on the side of an aircraft fuselage.
As it would happen, in Feb 1944 GI’s discovered Smoky in an abandoned foxhole in the jungles of Papua New Guinea.
Smoky was adopted by Corporal Wynne, an air-crewman with the US 5th Air Force's 26th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron. Wynne worked with Smoky and trained her to do tricks. She slept alongside him and flew a dozen missions with him.
Smoky completed many important and dangerous task amongst these was parachuting and also running a cable through the seventy-foot pipe. This was to enable telephone lines to be run across the recently occupied airbase of Luzon, saving hundreds of lives exposed to bombing.
When Smoky saved Wynne's life, he coined her ‘the angel from a foxhole'.
Post-war, Smoky is credited internationally for her therapy work in hospitals and care facilities.
Bill Wynne married Margaret Roberts in 1946. Wynne trained dogs for Hollywood films, then joined NACA/NASA's Flight Icing Research Team at Lewis Laboratories in Cleveland, Ohio.
Wynne also worked for The Cleveland Plain Dealer where he won numerous national awards, including the George Washington Honor Medal and The Brotherhood Award.
I received this heartwarming and captivating read from Quinn Fariel, Marketing Manager at Da Capo Press | Lifelong Books | Seal Press An Imprint of Perseus Books | A Hachette Book Group Company
William 'Bill' Wynne had trained as an aerial photographer in the United States. So, Lewis begins this fascinating story by mentioning the image of Donald Duck riding on a speeding cloud which is painted on the side of an aircraft fuselage.
As it would happen, in Feb 1944 GI’s discovered Smoky in an abandoned foxhole in the jungles of Papua New Guinea.
Smoky was adopted by Corporal Wynne, an air-crewman with the US 5th Air Force's 26th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron. Wynne worked with Smoky and trained her to do tricks. She slept alongside him and flew a dozen missions with him.
Smoky completed many important and dangerous task amongst these was parachuting and also running a cable through the seventy-foot pipe. This was to enable telephone lines to be run across the recently occupied airbase of Luzon, saving hundreds of lives exposed to bombing.
When Smoky saved Wynne's life, he coined her ‘the angel from a foxhole'.
Post-war, Smoky is credited internationally for her therapy work in hospitals and care facilities.
Bill Wynne married Margaret Roberts in 1946. Wynne trained dogs for Hollywood films, then joined NACA/NASA's Flight Icing Research Team at Lewis Laboratories in Cleveland, Ohio.
Wynne also worked for The Cleveland Plain Dealer where he won numerous national awards, including the George Washington Honor Medal and The Brotherhood Award.
I received this heartwarming and captivating read from Quinn Fariel, Marketing Manager at Da Capo Press | Lifelong Books | Seal Press An Imprint of Perseus Books | A Hachette Book Group Company
May 10, 2019
This book is about smokey he is a war hero. He shows love to the soldiers and supports them mentally a possible main idea for this book is that you should never give up and always try to succeed . This book did not have as much action as I would have liked.
September 14, 2019
Smoky The Brave by Damien Lewis is the true story of a brave and loyal Yorkie called Smoky who was found dirty and starving in a foxhole in a New Guinea jungle during World War II.
This is an inspiring story of the bond between Smoky and her new owner serviceman Bill Wynne. It is a story of love and loyalty, of going beyond the call of duty together.
Smoky became the mascot of the 26th Photo Recee Squadron. She and Bill Wynne were inseparable. Where he went, she went too. Along the way he taught her tricks that enthralled everyone they met. Together they faced death, disease and disaster. Together they loved with huge hearts.
Smoky helped wounded serviceman to find a purpose again as she visited them in hospital. This was in the days before therapy dogs were thought of.
Smoky The Brave was a touching story of love, loyalty and an unbreakable bond. It was truly inspiring.
This is an inspiring story of the bond between Smoky and her new owner serviceman Bill Wynne. It is a story of love and loyalty, of going beyond the call of duty together.
Smoky became the mascot of the 26th Photo Recee Squadron. She and Bill Wynne were inseparable. Where he went, she went too. Along the way he taught her tricks that enthralled everyone they met. Together they faced death, disease and disaster. Together they loved with huge hearts.
Smoky helped wounded serviceman to find a purpose again as she visited them in hospital. This was in the days before therapy dogs were thought of.
Smoky The Brave was a touching story of love, loyalty and an unbreakable bond. It was truly inspiring.
June 15, 2018
The arrival of Smoky the Brave has prompted a departure in guest reviewing on this site. Since the book is about the heroism of a Yorkshire Terrier during WW2, it seemed appropriate to invite Amber the Silky Terrier, a most perceptive pooch of my acquaintance and a close cousin to the Yorkie, to comment on the merits of the book... since she comes from the same family of tiny but courageous and indefatigable dogs, who could be better to review this heroic tale?
To read Amber's review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2018/06/15/s...
To read Amber's review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2018/06/15/s...
November 6, 2019
The story of Smoky, which actually starts midway, certainly does warm your heart. The ending of the book provides the perfect surprise which answers a nagging question that stays unanswered throughout the book.
I expected more about the little dog though, whereas there is a substantial amount of description about the war in the Eastern theatre. Perhaps the narrative wouldn't make sense without it, and that level of detail about the soldiers was needed.
Still, this is a lovely story that once again illustrates the wonder of dogs and that their intelligence, spirit and love towers no matter what breed or size they may be.
I expected more about the little dog though, whereas there is a substantial amount of description about the war in the Eastern theatre. Perhaps the narrative wouldn't make sense without it, and that level of detail about the soldiers was needed.
Still, this is a lovely story that once again illustrates the wonder of dogs and that their intelligence, spirit and love towers no matter what breed or size they may be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2020
I enjoyed this very detailed book about an amazing Yorkshire Terrier who just turned up in the jungles of Samatra and latched on to a bloke in the Photo Reconnaissance Squadron. He became a star performer, very keen to do tricks and entertain the crowds, both during the war and afterwards in hospitals, hospices and on TV.
A quite remarkable story of one man and his dog.
A quite remarkable story of one man and his dog.
December 29, 2018
The cover of Smoky the Brave is the photo that helped win this tiny Yorkshire Terrier Yank Magazine's Mascot of the Year award. She got a bath in Bill Wynne's helmet every day. Most people think of small dogs as nervous and yappy, good for taking up space on old ladies' laps but not much else. Smoky was one of the many dogs who behaved contrary to this popular misconception.
Smoky's life was truly extraordinary. She became the first recorded therapy dog when an acquaintance of Wynne's persuaded him to take the dog to visit soldiers convalescing in hospitals in Brisbane, Australia. She saved lives, learned how to parachute jump, laid cable on an airfield just seized from the enemy-- and was awarded eight battle stars. (And I'm not mentioning many of her exploits.)
I learned a lot from reading this book, especially about photo reconnaissance squadrons that would fly thousands of miles to obtain detailed photographs of enemy positions. Pilots who flew these missions were beyond brave. They flew alone. They never knew when the enemy would spot them, the conditions were freezing, and since the planes had to be as light as possible to travel such long distances, the pilots had no guns, so they couldn't shoot back in an effort to save themselves.
I'm still not completely sure how much I enjoyed this book. Lewis glossed over an event in Smoky's life that I thought could have used a bit more explanation, and his writing style is very matter of fact. As a passionate dog lover, I was expecting to be much more emotionally involved in the book than I was. Now I'm debating whether a more subjective approach would have improved the book, or would it have done a disservice to such a marvelous dog? The debate rages on in my mind. What I do know is that any dog lover is going to be glad they took time out of their busy lives to read about a creature that had more than her share of bravery and heart.
Smoky's life was truly extraordinary. She became the first recorded therapy dog when an acquaintance of Wynne's persuaded him to take the dog to visit soldiers convalescing in hospitals in Brisbane, Australia. She saved lives, learned how to parachute jump, laid cable on an airfield just seized from the enemy-- and was awarded eight battle stars. (And I'm not mentioning many of her exploits.)
I learned a lot from reading this book, especially about photo reconnaissance squadrons that would fly thousands of miles to obtain detailed photographs of enemy positions. Pilots who flew these missions were beyond brave. They flew alone. They never knew when the enemy would spot them, the conditions were freezing, and since the planes had to be as light as possible to travel such long distances, the pilots had no guns, so they couldn't shoot back in an effort to save themselves.
I'm still not completely sure how much I enjoyed this book. Lewis glossed over an event in Smoky's life that I thought could have used a bit more explanation, and his writing style is very matter of fact. As a passionate dog lover, I was expecting to be much more emotionally involved in the book than I was. Now I'm debating whether a more subjective approach would have improved the book, or would it have done a disservice to such a marvelous dog? The debate rages on in my mind. What I do know is that any dog lover is going to be glad they took time out of their busy lives to read about a creature that had more than her share of bravery and heart.
October 5, 2024
The extraordinary, touching true story of Smoky, the smallest--and arguably bravest--dog of World War II
In February 1944, as Japanese military advances threatened to overwhelm New Guinea, a tiny, four-pound Yorkshire Terrier was discovered hiding in the island's thick jungles. A total mystery as to her origins, she was adopted by US Army Air Force Corporal William "Bill" Wynne, an air-crewman in a photo reconnaissance squadron, becoming an irreplaceable lucky charm for the unit. When Smoky saved Wynne's life by barking a warning of an incoming kamikaze attack, he nicknamed her the "angel from a foxhole."
Smoky's exploits continued when she jumped for the unit in a specially designed parachute and famously joined the aircrews flying daring sorties in the war-torn skies. But her most heroic feat was running a cable through a seventy-foot pipe no wider than four inches in places to enable critical communication lines to be run across an airbase which had just been seized from the enemy, saving hundreds of ground-crew from being exposed to enemy bombing.
In recognition of her efforts, Smoky was awarded eight battle stars. Smoky the Brave brings to vivid life the danger and excitement of the many missions of World War II's smallest hero.
In February 1944, as Japanese military advances threatened to overwhelm New Guinea, a tiny, four-pound Yorkshire Terrier was discovered hiding in the island's thick jungles. A total mystery as to her origins, she was adopted by US Army Air Force Corporal William "Bill" Wynne, an air-crewman in a photo reconnaissance squadron, becoming an irreplaceable lucky charm for the unit. When Smoky saved Wynne's life by barking a warning of an incoming kamikaze attack, he nicknamed her the "angel from a foxhole."
Smoky's exploits continued when she jumped for the unit in a specially designed parachute and famously joined the aircrews flying daring sorties in the war-torn skies. But her most heroic feat was running a cable through a seventy-foot pipe no wider than four inches in places to enable critical communication lines to be run across an airbase which had just been seized from the enemy, saving hundreds of ground-crew from being exposed to enemy bombing.
In recognition of her efforts, Smoky was awarded eight battle stars. Smoky the Brave brings to vivid life the danger and excitement of the many missions of World War II's smallest hero.
February 23, 2019
Such a heart warming story of a man and the dog he rescued in a truly unlikely circumstance. What a purebred Yorkie was doing in a foxhole in Guam remains a mystery for the most part, but the way her rescuer saves her is so sweet. He protects Smoky through the perils of war and makes sure (spoiler alert) she survives to make it home to America. While I’m not much for war tales because they are too real to me, I was very moved by the relationship these two formed and how he kept her safe while also giving her a way to serve alongside the soldiers. Credited as one of the first therapy dogs, Smoky was very smart and incredibly well behaved. My only complaint with this book were the end of chapter cliffhangers that vaguely reference coming drama, but they kept me reading to make sure Smoky was ok. There are ups and downs, happy moments, scary moments, but this book is full of one man’s true dedication to a loyal animal that gave him all of her heart and energy. Yorkie owners can especially relate to Smoky’s personality. Fair warning though, this will remind you of the inevitably that dogs don’t live forever as we always hope.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2019
This nonfiction book tells the story of a lost dog who became the mascot for a reconnaissance squadron in the Pacific in WWII. The story is told in an easy to read, flowing manner and feels almost like a fiction novel. There are a couple errors with grammar and historical names, but not many. I really enjoyed the story of Smoky, a tiny Yorkshire Terrier who enlivened the rough days at war for many soldiers, served as the first official therapy dog, ran cables under a runway, won a mascot competition, was aboard a ship that was attacked by kamikazes, and flew onboard a PBY Catalina on search and rescue missions. This book tells both Smoky's story and the story of her owner, Bill Wynne, and of the 26th reconnaissance squadron which is interesting because most books about WWII fliers focus on the fighting side of the war, and not the planning side. Smoky was the recipient of many awards and there are memorials to her in several states in the United States as well as in Australia, where she served to cheer up wounded troops.
October 2, 2023
Review 18. Smoky The Brave by Damien Lewis
Page Count : 320
Another amazing book about a historical dog who would go on to be a hero.
Smoky is a little 6lb Yorkshire terrier who is found abandoned in a Japanese fox hole outside of Nadzab air base in Papua New Guinea during World War 2.
Found by someone who doesn't love dogs, she is handed over to a US Army photo reconnaissance analyst, Bill Wynne, who Smoky will love for the rest of her life.
Smoky would be taught numerous tricks during her time in the Asian theatre of World War 2 including walking a tightrope and playing dead.
She would perform these tricks and others to colleagues of Bill Wynne, but also to wounded soldiers in hospitals throughout the Pacific theatre even in Australia during their leave there.
Smoky is credited with being the first therapy dog as she helped so many wounded soldiers, even bringing a catatonic patient back towards normality.
Definitely a book I will read againd and one I recommend.
5*
*****
Page Count : 320
Another amazing book about a historical dog who would go on to be a hero.
Smoky is a little 6lb Yorkshire terrier who is found abandoned in a Japanese fox hole outside of Nadzab air base in Papua New Guinea during World War 2.
Found by someone who doesn't love dogs, she is handed over to a US Army photo reconnaissance analyst, Bill Wynne, who Smoky will love for the rest of her life.
Smoky would be taught numerous tricks during her time in the Asian theatre of World War 2 including walking a tightrope and playing dead.
She would perform these tricks and others to colleagues of Bill Wynne, but also to wounded soldiers in hospitals throughout the Pacific theatre even in Australia during their leave there.
Smoky is credited with being the first therapy dog as she helped so many wounded soldiers, even bringing a catatonic patient back towards normality.
Definitely a book I will read againd and one I recommend.
5*
*****
April 4, 2019
Two things: I search for non-fiction books about animals for an elderly friend, and I’m a WWII reader. So when I found Smoky the Brave for my friend, I decided to give it a read. The animal lover in me did enjoy Smoky and Bill Wynne’s story, and this WWII reader was pleased to learn more about photo reconnaissance squadrons during the war. But the tepid tone of my review here reflects the churn-it-out formulaic effect of the writer’s style – on me, at least. Couldn’t Lewis have interviewed one or two people with direct experience of Smoky – or quoted a few statements from Wynne and his war companions -- anything to give his book some immediacy? Something to give the reader a sense of direct experience with Smoky and Bill? For me, the book read like a gathering of facts from other sources, related one by one. There are at least three other books on Smoky, one by Bill Wynne, so I wonder why Damien Lewis wrote another.
February 6, 2019
During WWII, troops were in New Guinea, fighting the Japanese. In the jungle, a tiny Yorkie was found in a foxhole. She was rescued by an American GI and quickly adopted by US Army Air Force Corporal William Wynne. Wynne was an air-crewman in a photo reconnaissance squadron. In his spare time he trained the little dog, named Smoky. Because of her intense connection to Wynne, her training, and her innate intelligence, Smoky saved many with her heroic actions. She was also the first recorded therapy dog. She made the men in her unit smile as well as visiting with wounded soldiers in hospitals. I was amazed by the tenacity and intelligence of little Smoky.
This touching, true story really touched my heart.
This touching, true story really touched my heart.
March 10, 2019
How a tiny Yorkshire terrier came to be lost in a tropical jungle was a mystery but she landed on her feet when she was found by a friend of Bill Wynne and given to the dog-loving soldier for care. He protected her, cared for her, trained her and carried her with him almost everywhere he went (whether or not it was against regulations). The little dog provided a distraction from the stress of day-to-day life in a combat zone and was also probably one of the first therapy dogs, helping wounded soldiers. At the end of the war Bill refused to leave her behind and smuggled her on board ship bound for the U.S, where life was safer but by no means boring.
This was a fascinating glimpse into a time that very few people still alive experienced, with all its horrors, well written and researched.
This was a fascinating glimpse into a time that very few people still alive experienced, with all its horrors, well written and researched.
Read
July 10, 2019I’m not that fond of WWII non-fiction books (unlike my husband!), but this looked mostly like a dog book, and I was intrigued by the description. It was a lot of war description and less dog story than I expected. The value for me was in showing the sheer brutality and human toll of the Pacific War. The Japanese were the aggressors, incredibly determined and cruel and driven by blind loyalty and honor. In this time when current generations may question the justification for dropping the atomic bombs, it becomes much more obvious why that was such an attractive and logical way to end the fighting.
July 31, 2020
I purchased this book because my uncle, Karl Maesor Booth, Jr. was listed in the dedication with other fallen pilots who were members of this Army Air Corp recognizance unit in Papua, New Guinea.
Although my uncle was not mentioned any further in this book, it gave me insight into what his daily activities may have been like, including interaction with a delightful little Yorkshire Terrier named Smoky who was found in the jungle and quickly became a much loved and integral part of this unit.
If you are a dog lover, you will immediately fall in love with this adorable canine. If dogs haven't been your "thing" in the past, I dare you not to fall in love with Smoky !
Although my uncle was not mentioned any further in this book, it gave me insight into what his daily activities may have been like, including interaction with a delightful little Yorkshire Terrier named Smoky who was found in the jungle and quickly became a much loved and integral part of this unit.
If you are a dog lover, you will immediately fall in love with this adorable canine. If dogs haven't been your "thing" in the past, I dare you not to fall in love with Smoky !
February 21, 2019
Dogs and photo reconnaissance, what's not to like. This is definitely more of a a dog book than a military book. I felt the military part was dumbed down but having said that I did learn about the Yokosuka MXY-7 Ohka - kamikaze rocket-bomb. I don't know if the book is aimed at a younger, less informed generation, but the author had to explain who Bob Hope was. And some stuff is just plain silly, like calling Puget Sound an estuary. Ok book but not the calibre of writing or editing I would expect.
June 8, 2021
It started a little slow but I really loved it overall. It’s a very interesting and touching book about an incredibly tough and devoted little dog. He and the soldier who adopted him in the jungle made the grueling, terrifying life of hundreds of soldiers serving in the pacific theater inWWII a little better for having known them. The story is fascinating and at the heart is an unbreakable bond between a soldier and his orphan dog, both of whom risked their lives a number of times to serve this country. Amazing story.
March 6, 2019
I loved Smoky's story. Having owned a Yorkie I can tell you they are feisty, highly intelligent, extremely dedicated and protective of their owner. Above all Smoky was an extraordinary dog and her story is one that will always live on. And many kudos to the man who took her in and nursed her back to health and taught her so many things....or was it really the other way around! Bill Wynne is dog lover extraordinaire!
March 23, 2019
This is another WWII story. The Japanese attack New Guinea. An army air force corporal finds a little yorkshire terrier. He names him Smoky. Smoky does several things to help the United States forces, even running a wire through a very small and long pipe. Many lives are saved due to this little terrier. This book is unlike any other book that I have read about WWII. Of course, I am an animal lover.
June 12, 2019
Absolutely amazing true story of a Yorkshire terrier found in the jungle of a Pacific island by US WWII military photographers, and how she and her 20-year-old adopter heroically served (narrowly escaping death multiple times) until the end of the war. Wow, what an epic story about a tiny dog and a college-age guy bonding, surviving, and doing heroic things way beyond his age and her size - a story that definitely deserves to be remembered.
July 12, 2019
This book rang all my bells! The book was about a yorkie and world war 2 oh yes please. Hearing the stories of both dog and owner was really cool. Hearing all of their adventures together was awesome. Yorkies get written off a lot as just being a purse dog but heck no they got some sass and they will let you know what's up and this book is just that. There is also some history packed in this book too.
September 1, 2020
Purchase Smoky the Brave here for just $10!
This is a great story of an adorable and heroic little dog. It’s also a heart warming tale about the best of humans and canines during the worst of times. The book provides a great deal of detail and information about WW2 along with the stories of Smoky intertwined. A very enjoyable read!
Alicia - The Book Grocer
This is a great story of an adorable and heroic little dog. It’s also a heart warming tale about the best of humans and canines during the worst of times. The book provides a great deal of detail and information about WW2 along with the stories of Smoky intertwined. A very enjoyable read!
Alicia - The Book Grocer
July 21, 2025
This book tells the true story of a heroic small dog and her masters in the Pacific War. Yorkshire Terrier Smoky was found in the PNG jungle by an American airman. She later became the mascot of his squadron, helped save lives and assisted many.
While I loved the story of Smoky and the men who cared for her, the war details didn't sit well with me. There was a lot of WW2 details of engagements and killings, almost to the point of glorifying the war. Three stars for the story of Smoky.
While I loved the story of Smoky and the men who cared for her, the war details didn't sit well with me. There was a lot of WW2 details of engagements and killings, almost to the point of glorifying the war. Three stars for the story of Smoky.
October 21, 2018
Loved this story....so enchanting. I feel so touched by the incredible connection between Smoky and Wynne; what amazing obstacles they navigated together. I will always remember this book. I almost wish there was a movie (and I don’t usually wish this of books - but I think this is do-able👍). Loved this ❤️
February 6, 2019
Charming book about a Yorkshire Terrier found in the war theater in New Guinea that became a beloved mascot for a squadron. Amazing true story. Lots of war stuff about the battles in the Pacific but I skimmed over most of that because I was interested in reading about the dog.
Good book for a dog lover.
Good book for a dog lover.
February 19, 2019
I’m a huge animal lover and when I saw this book at the library I had to read it. I have a rescue lab mix who just showed up at a friend house much like Smoky. This little Yorkie and his master was such a bright spot in the Pacific theatre in WWII. She was a spunky little dog who made it! If you love history and animals definitely give this a read! It’s one of my new favorites now!
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