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Oct 21, 2022 · Elephants were widely used in Africa and India for transport and heavy lifting during the war. One group of elephants stands out, those of Mr Gyles Mackrell of Shillong, Assam who had his own elephant transport business before the outbreak of war.
- Neil Storey
Over 16 million animals served in the First World War. They were used for transport, communication and companionship. Horses, donkeys, mules and camels carried food, water, ammunition and medical supplies to men at the front, and dogs and pigeons carried messages.
Over 16 million animals served in the First World War. As warfare changed, the way that animals assisted in wars changed too. From elephants used to build bridges, to dogs that can locate explosives, we’re taking a look at the vital role that 7 of our animal comrades have played over the past 100 years.
- Cavalry and Horse-mounted Infantry. © IWM (Q 2062) When the First World War broke out in 1914, both sides had large cavalry forces. Horse and camel-mounted troops were used throughout the war, particularly in the desert campaigns, but on the Western Front cavalry charges became increasingly difficult as the fighting became deadlocked and trench warfare took over.
- Medical evacuation. © IWM (Q 6196) Ambulances – both horse-drawn and motorised – were part of a vast network of medical services set up to treat the wounded.
- Transport. © IWM (Q 5941) During the First World War, pack animals like horses, donkeys and mules travelled over landscapes destroyed by heavy bombardments to deliver the war materiel needed at the front.
- Labour and heavy lifting. © IWM (A 24292A) Horses, mules, donkeys, oxen and even elephants were used for heavy labour during the First and Second World Wars.
Jun 6, 2014 · In an echo of World War II, dogs performed military tasks, whilst becoming symbols of loyalty, bravery, and national identity. So animals were very much part of the war.
The final year of war in 1945 saw a record number of over 200,000 animals helped by Our Dumb Friends’ League – the former name of Blue Cross - nationwide. Among these were two cats aged 15 and 12, who were buried alive when our Birmingham shelter was bombed.
Did you know that in World War Two there were “para-dogs,” or dogs that parachuted along with paratroopers in anticipation of D-Day? Or that carrier pigeons were dropped into France in their bird cages so that French Resistance members could find them and attach messages so they’d be delivered to Allied command in Britain?
