Gunner (dog)

Gunner was a six-month-old black and white male kelpie. He was found on 19 February 1942, under the ruins of a mess hut at RAAF Darwin, following the first Japanese air raid on Darwin. Gunner’s hearing was so acute he was able to warn RAAF personnel of approaching Japanese aircraft.

About Gunner (dog) in brief

Summary Gunner (dog)Gunner was a six-month-old black and white male kelpie. He was found on 19 February 1942, under the ruins of a mess hut at RAAF Darwin, following the first Japanese air raid on Darwin. Gunner’s hearing was so acute he was able to warn RAAF personnel of approaching Japanese aircraft, up to 20 minutes before they arrived. He could differentiate between the sounds of the engines used by Allied and Japanese aircraft.

Long before the sirens sounded, Gunner would become agitated and head for shelter. He became such a part of the air force that he slept under Westcott’s bunk, showered with the men in the shower block, and went up with the pilots during practice take-off and landings.