Ep. 21 Smoky The War Dog - Pt. 2

Welcome everyone again to Mighty Line Minute. In our last podcast, we talked 

about Smoky, her World War II accomplishments, her efforts post-war with Bill

Wynne, and how they worked hard to create a better world and help humanity.

Today we will follow on last week's podcast regarding Smoky and Bill and 

cover some of those resources that are important to learn from. And at the end 

of the day, you may learn more in terms of what you can do to help make the 

world a better place. I'll begin by looking at some books, then periodicals and 

film. So here we go. Let's get started.

Bill documented his story about Smoky in the self-published book, 

Yorkie 

Doodle Dandy.

 It was released in 1996 and it's now in its eighth printing going 

on ninth. It has sold more than 50,000 copies, and it's available in hardback. It's 

also accessible electronically in audio book format. Many other books have 

been written about Smoky; they stack several feet high. I’ll be covering ones 

that deal most directly with Smoky and that had been authorized by William A 

Wynne himself. Here's the best of the best:

The very best book about Smoky, of course, is Yorkie Doodle Dandy, written 

by Corporal William Wynne following his return to the United States in 1945 

from war in the Pacific. While that effort from Bill took many years to 

construct, there is an excellent publication by the 26th Photo Squadron of the 

Fifth United States Army Air Force in World War II. The book, published in 

1946 by members of the 26th Photo Squadron, consists largely of photography 

that accurately recorded the Squadron’s World War Two experiences as they 

were happening.

Smoky, the 4 pound Yorkshire Terrier that was found in a New Guinea foxhole,

commands a full page 100, where she is pictured in her famous jacket sewn by 

American Red Cross nurse. She is also pictured pedaling a scooter, jumping 

through a hoop and standing with her silver award cup, as well as appearing 

later in her famous helmet.

The final 10 pages of the 26th Photo Squadron book are a must-read for anyone 

wanting to immerse themselves in real-time events that occurred to those 

traveling the Southwest Pacific during wartime. Albert J. Miller accurately 

logged the departure, arrival, inter-island travel and return of the Squadron to 

U.S. shores in a well-written rundown of events. A link to the entire book, 

including photos, can be found at smokywardog.com.

The book Yorkie Doodle Dandy by William A. Wynne was first self-published 

in 1996, and is currently in its 8th printing. In this gem of animal history, Bill 

chronicles his pre-war life in Cleveland, finding his love, and becoming a 

renowned reconnaissance photographer, therapy dog trainer, and entertainer 

with his Yorkshire Terrier, Smoky.

For anyone interested in the bond between humans and animals, Yorkie Doodle 

Dandy is essential reading. Smoky’s connection with injured service personnel 

and hospital staff provides an early glimpse of the beginnings of the therapy dog

movement.

Bill’s Memoir documents several events where Smoky saved lives, such as 

personnel and planes subject to imminent attack, his own survival, and as an 

early warning ahead of airborne attacks. He also includes post-war stories and 

images from time in Hollywood, visits to hospitals and orphanages, and 

performances in a traveling zoo and on live television.

Here are several more books that are essential reading involving Smoky and 

Bill:

Smoky The War Dog: How a Tiny Yorkshire Terrier Became a Hero on the 

Frontline, by Nigel Allsopp, is a condensed version of Bill’s 150 page book at 

112 pages. As a dog lover, if you can find the hardback version, don’t pass on it.

Nigel is the founder and president of the Australian War Animal Memorial 

Organization, Australia’s premier war animal and service animal charity. Mister

Allsopp also authored the 32 page illustrated children’s book titled SMOKY, 

No Ordinary War Dog, perfect for ages 4 through 8.

Smoky is one of four dogs covered in a wonderful 304 page book titled Beyond 

The Call of Duty: Heart-warming Stories of Canine Devotion and Bravery. The 

book was first published in 2010 by Isabel George, a best-selling UK author. 

She later published A Dog With Destiny, Smoky. as an e-book in 2012.

In his later years, Bill worked with Ohio Author Nancy Roe Pimm to help write 

his biography. The book wonderfully captures Bill Wynne’s stories from youth 

to becoming a wartime reconnaissance photographer, a loving husband and 

father, Hollywood and television dog trainer and entertainer, and a NASA 

research photographer and Plain Dealer photojournalist. The book, The Bill 

Wynne Story, otherwise known as Smoky The Dog That Saved My Life, is an 

easy read at 168 pages; The book is part of the Young Readers Collection 

published in 2019 by Ohio University Press.

Angel in a Foxhole, Smoky The Therapy Dog is a one-of-a-kind, high-quality 

coloring book created for both adults and children. It was written by Dave Tabar

and beautifully illustrated by artist Samantha Williams. The book contains 18 

unique hand-drawn illustrations that include scenes from World War II, the 

2019 film Angel in a Foxhole, and certain photographic works created and 

authorized specifically by William A. Wynne prior to his passing in 2021.

In our next podcast, Smoky The War Dog Part 3, I’ll be covering the amazing 

animal sculpture work of artist Susan Bahary of San Francisco. I will also 

update you on some very recent efforts involving the creation of an anticipated 

Animals of War Memorial in Washington D.C., as well as some behind-the-

scenes moments that occurred during the filming of Angel in a Foxhole.

Thanks everyone for taking the time to learn more about Smoky and Bill, and 

how their World War II story transcends into today's world. They worked hard 

to make the world a better place. So does Mighty Line. Take a look at their 

products at mightylinetape.com, and you'll see how shapes, angles, floor 

signage and floor tape can make the industrial environment a safer place to be.