The Role of Animals in World War One

As well as over 60 million soldiers who fought in the First World War, 16 million animals also ‘served’ and suffered colossal casualties. Over 8 million horses died, as did tens of thousands of dogs, cats and pigeons. They were killed hauling guns, rescuing the wounded, controlling vermin and carrying messages. Most died without recognition, but a few survived and became animal celebrities. Warrior, ‘the luckiest horse on the Western Front’ became an equine hero, Rin Tin Tin, a German Shepherd dog, was born in the trenches and went on to star in over 30 films, Percy the cat served in one of the first tanks and Cher Ami, a messenger pigeon, rescued a United States battalion from certain death. A menagerie of other animals served included a baboon, bear, camels, donkeys, elephants, maggots, pigs, ponies, slugs and even whales. In contrast to serving, mosquitoes, lice, and rats spread disease; more men dying in Salonika from malaria than from enemy fire. At home, many families kept chickens, rabbits or pigs while elephants replaced horses in the streets and fields, pulling carts and ploughs. This book commemorates and celebrates the role of animals throughout the conflict and tells the story of how all creatures great and small helped to win the Great War.