ANZAC

Why were horses used in the war?

When war began in 1914 the British army took 25,000 horse.They were used to pull heavy guns, to transport weapons and supplies, to carry the wounded and dying to hospital. In the first year of war the countryside farmers were heartbroken families who saw their finest and most beloved horses taken by the government.Transported to the ports, they were hoisted onto ships crossing the Channel before being taken into the horrors of the front line.Some men formed close relationships with the horses.They did their best to care for them in the most testing and tragic conditions. Some men became as close to their horses as to their fellow soldiers and their loss was felt as deeply. All had their own names, personalities and histories, never to be forgotten. Between 1914 and 1917 around 1,000 horses were sent from the United States by ship every day. They were a constant target for German naval attack.The horses were so important to the war that German saboteurs also attempted to poison them before they embarked on the journey. At the end of the war some of the surviving horses were sold as meat to Belgian butchers, being unfit for any other purpose. But for the few that returned home there was a joyous welcome and reunion.

ANZAC

What other animals were used at the front line?

When world war 1 started Mules, Dogs, monkeys,Camels, and pigeons all played vital roles, as well as many others all at great risk.

• Horses

Soldiers fought on horseback using swords and guns. But they soon realised men on horses could not win the war in the trenches, so they were used for transportation instead.Some horses carried wounded soldiers and other horses carried weapons.

• Dogs

Dogs were some of the hardest and most trusted workers.The most popular dogs were medium-sized, like Doberman Pinschers and German Shepherds.The dogs would usually be in the trenches with the soldiers.  The Casualty dog  is trained to find wounded or dying soldiers on the battlefield. They carried medical equipment so an injured soldier could treat himself and they would also stay beside a dying soldier to keep him company.Sentry dogs stayed with one soldier or guard and were taught to give a warning sound such as growling or barking when they sensed a stranger in the area or close to camp.

• Birds

Birds were the most reliable way to transport messages. 100,000 carrier pigeons were used as messengers during the war. Pigeons always flew home when released, so the troops made sure the pigeons' nests were in places they needed to send messages.Records say pigeons delivered 95% of their messages correctly. Pigeons were kept at military bases and even in old London buses, which were brought over from England.

• Jackie the baboon

Jackie the baboon was taken to France by South African soldiers. Jackie had excellent eyesight and hearing and used to warn soldiers of enemy movement or possible attacks by making noises and tugging on their clothing.

• Pest

Soldiers living in trenches found millions of pests during the war including rats. They fed on rotting food because there was no way of getting rid of rubbish in the trenches. A little terrier dog shows off its catch after a 15 minute rat hunt in French trenches in September 1916.