Wednesday, March 29, 2017



The dogs of war (plus the foxes, elephants and pigeons): The animals that played a vital role during WWI, from rescue hounds to a pig used as a pillow! 



  • Fascinating images in new book show the range of animals dragged into service during World War One
  • It is thought that eight million horses alone died as a result of the conflict, which began in 1914
  • At one point the Germans even requisitioned circus elephants for war work and forced them to drag logs

When the First World War broke out in 1914, the human race was dragged into the biggest conflict it had ever known.
But The Great War was not just fought by those on two legs, with animals as diverse as dogs, horses, pigs and even elephants forced to play an active role in the fighting.
A remarkable series of photos showing how they were put to work has come to light in a new book.
A sailor rests his head on Tirpitzi, a pig who was a mascot on HMS Glasgow during the First World War, in the fascinating series of images
A sailor rests his head on Tirpitzi, a pig who was a mascot on HMS Glasgow during the First World War, in the fascinating series of images
An elephant moves logs in Hamburg in 1915, under the supervision of German soldiers. Circus elephants were requisitioned by the German army during the conflict
An elephant moves logs in Hamburg in 1915, under the supervision of German soldiers. Circus elephants were requisitioned by the German army during the conflict
A fox, enlisted as a mascot, is pictured in a harness while on active service during the Great War, which broke out in 1914
A fox, enlisted as a mascot, is pictured in a harness while on active service during the Great War, which broke out in 1914
It is estimated that eight million horses alone died during the conflict as a result of shellfire, as well as terrible weather and appalling living conditions.
The pictures, which feature in Images of War, Animals in the Great War, by Lucinda Moore, show dogs pulling wounded soldiers, seals perched on U-Boats and a pig being used as a pillow.
At one point the Germans even requisitioned circus elephants for war work and forced them to drag logs.
Mules were given backbreaking tasks to do, while pigeons carried messages between troops.
An Austrian soldier stroking regimental dog in a bleak-looking trench
A French sergeant and dog both wearing gas protection
An Austrian soldier pictured stroking regimental dog in a bleak-looking trench (left), and a French sergeant and dog both wearing gas protection (right)
A dog pulling the wheelchair of a wounded French soldier in the remarkable series of images featured in new book Images of War, Animals in the Great War
A dog pulling the wheelchair of a wounded French soldier in the remarkable series of images featured in new book Images of War, Animals in the Great War
A dog pulling a miniature Red Cross truck to collect charitable donations
Two American soldiers with their pets: a dachshund and a coatimundi
A dog pulling a miniature Red Cross truck to collect charitable donations (left), and two American soldiers with their pets: a dachshund and a coatimundi (right)
But there were more lighthearted roles for animals too, with many providing companionship to troops and being seen as good luck mascots.
In the aftermath of the war, The Sphere reported: '(Dogs) were the sentinels, watchful at their posts and never sleeping, quicker than any human to give warning of a movement of the enemy, and the dogs of the Red Cross, who sought the wounded and brought back a scrap of uniform to say that they had found someone who needed more help than they could give.
'There were dogs who, masked like the horses and men, went forward through clouds of poison gas and dense fire with despatches and messages across ground where no man could live.
A vet tends to a wounded horse hit by shrapnel in France. It is estimated that eight million horses alone died during the conflict as a result of shellfire, as well as terrible weather and appalling living conditions
A vet tends to a wounded horse hit by shrapnel in France. It is estimated that eight million horses alone died during the conflict as a result of shellfire, as well as terrible weather and appalling living conditions
Vice-Admiral Alfred Carpenter (right) and Commander Osborne (left) of HMS Vindictive with the shipís mascots, two black cats
Old Billí the wired-haired terrier mascot of HMS Falmouth
Vice-Admiral Alfred Carpenter, right, and Commander Osborne, left, (pictured together, left) of HMS Vindictive with the shipís mascots, two black cats, and Old Billí the wired-haired terrier mascot of HMS Falmouth (right)
A carrier pigeon held tight before release from the belly of a tank in 1918. Birds were often used to pass messages between troops
A carrier pigeon held tight before release from the belly of a tank in 1918. Birds were often used to pass messages between troops
'They won through and brought their despatches or they died on the way, for nothing less than death could stop them, and very often they arrived with their messages wounded and injured, but with the despatches safe.'
Death was a fate that befell many creatures involved in the creatures.
Whales were often mistaken for U-Boats when viewed from the air, and dead whales floating in the sea were confused for downed Zeppelins.
Where field telephones were inaccessible or unreliable, such as inside tanks or on submarines and planes, birds transporting messages were a lifeline.
A massive bulldog, Gibby, sitting at the entrance to a dug out beside the commanding officer, was the mascot of a Canadian regiment
A massive bulldog, Gibby, sitting at the entrance to a dug out beside the commanding officer, was the mascot of a Canadian regiment
Messenger dogs pictured running the gauntlet of rifle fire during their training during the First World War
Messenger dogs pictured running the gauntlet of rifle fire during their training during the First World War
Motor cycling presents no difficulties to Stunter, the mascot of the Tank Corps, one of millions of animals dragged into the conflict
Motor cycling presents no difficulties to Stunter, the mascot of the Tank Corps, one of millions of animals dragged into the conflict
Horses were called upon when shellfire and mud made roads impassable to mechanised traffic.
Donkeys formed an important part of the supply chain, delivering food and other supplies to where they were needed on the front line.
Their size enabled them to pick their way along the path of a trench.
Author Lucinda Moore said: 'For their bravery and intelligence, companionship and loyalty in the face of terrible hardship, the contribution of animals in wartime should not be underestimated; all the more because they cannot speak for themselves.
'Animals and other creatures made a very significant contribution to the war effort, and were affected in many different ways by the conflict.
'Their collective roles in transportation, communication, companionship, and in propaganda, to name just a few areas of influence, made a huge difference to the war effort.'
Images of War, Animals in the Great War, by Lucinda Moore is published by Pen & Sword and costs £14.99.  
King George V meets one of the donkeys dragged into the war effort at the Royal Victoria Military Hospital at Netley, near Southampton
King George V meets one of the donkeys dragged into the war effort at the Royal Victoria Military Hospital at Netley, near Southampton
Peggy, the bulldog mascot of HMS Iron Duke, was one of the many dogs who joined troops fighting the First World War
Peggy, the bulldog mascot of HMS Iron Duke, was one of the many dogs who joined troops fighting the First World War











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