Animals have always been a part of wars. They have served as food for troops, hauled weapons and supplies, carried soldiers into battle, carried messages, done sentry duty, helped find wounded soldiers, and raised troop morale as pets and mascots. World War I may well have been the war in which animals played the largest and most varied roles. Unfortunately, it was also probably the war in which the most animals died. Machine gun bullets, artillery shells, bombs, poison gases, barbed wire, harsh weather, food shortages, diseases and brutal working conditions were as cruel to animals as they were to human beings.
Animals made countless valuable contributions to the efforts of all the nations fighting in the war. Millions served, and some even received military commendations. Animals helped transport personnel, did much of the heavy labor that could not be done by men or machines, carried untold numbers of messages, and helped save thousands of human lives. They also served as loyal and affectionate compantions to soldiers, sailors, and others starved for reminders of waht life was like away from war.
Read this article on animals in WWI
Watch this quick video on animals in WWI
- Look at pages from Eyewitness book on animals
- Read Treaties, Trenches, Mud and Blood pages 87-100
- Watch the movie War Horse today or tomorrow (Saturday)
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