Noah’s Ark: Calling All Animals To The World War 1 Front Lines

World War 1 was fought in Europe and the Middle East during four long, grueling years. For the men and women involved it was necessary that they live their lives as completely as possible. Animals have played an important role in human’s everyday living since they became farmers.  Thus it is that the troops and the general population produced photographic records of these brave animals. For it was the cows, pigs, ducks and livestock that they kept for sustenance during these four years.  Animals proved vital in so many ways during the war effort.

The Sopwith Camel Wasn’t The Only Camel In The Battlefield

In the Middle East and North Africa the fronts covered large areas of desert where the normally ‘sure footed’ horse was unable to function well. The camel is native in these regions and thus became the choice beast of burden and cavalry mount. The ANZAC forces added camel cavalry to the Light Horse regiments. The camels were bought from the Egyptians, Bedouins and other native desert dwellers. The British territories and colonies around the Mediterranean formed part of the allied forces, as did the Australians and Canadians. The Ottoman Empire, part of the Central Alliance already used the camel in combat and for transportation.Canaries were used in the trenches as detectors of toxic gases, as they were used in the coal mines. Coal was a major fuel used for powering steam ships and trains.

The feeding, maintenance and veterinarian care of the animals was done by specialized units within the forces. The weight of Fodder transported by and for animal feed [5.9 million tons] was greater than the weight of ammunition transported for use as gun food [5.2 million tons]!!!

Although technically worms are not animals they were used in the war;
Silkworms provided the silk used for the cross hairs in gun sighting optics and glow worms were used in the trenches to provide light when electricity failed……Ten glow worms = one low wattage street light.

World War 1 was fought in Europe and the Middle East during four long, grueling years. For the men and women involved it was necessary that they live their lives as completely as possible. Animals have played an important role in human’s everyday living since they became farmers. Thus it is that the troops and the general population produced photographic records of these brave animals. For it was the cows, pigs, ducks and livestock that they kept for sustenance during these four years.

Before Email And Cellphones There Was The… PIGEON

The peoples of Belgium and Europe were pigeon fanciers from the early 19th century. Breeding the birds to be the fastest and most accurate homers. With Belgium being a center of combat activity [Ypres] throughout the war the use of the pigeon as a messenger was a given. Travelling at 60 mph in order to find its home, or loft, a message attached to its leg did not deter a pigeon very often. They were able to cover terrain that men and even dogs could not cross. They were not easy targets and since pigeons live for up to 36 years they were a great asset. In Europe millions were flown. Mobile lofts provided adequate homes for the pigeons, thus messages could be dispatched and received from the forward lines and even from ship to shore.

No Man’s Land For Man’s Best Friend

Working dogs were trained by all the armies. The German and French forces trained more than 50,000 during the First World War. They were trained as guard, search and rescue, messenger and even transport dogs. They were trained to harness and pulled light artillery, wagons and sleds. Working farm dogs played an important role on the home fronts. There were Red Cross dogs and therapy dogs as well as pet dogs and of course mascots

Noah’s Ark: Recruiting The Mammals… And Some Gloworms

All species were kept as pets wherever the men were; dogs in trenches, cats and canaries in hospitals and kangaroos with the ANZAC in the desert.  Mascots have always played an important role in military display. The Army, Navy and Air forces adopted Dogs, kangaroos, pigs and even bears.

Little Known Fact!

Winifred, a black bear and the mascot of one of the
Canadian Expeditionary Forces Regiment would go on to
inspire A. A. Milne’s “Winnie the Pooh” stories!

Cats and Dogs were kept on board ships and in the trenches as ‘ratters’. The trenches became infested with vermin which the dogs and cats would kill.  Even the Russian soldiers were paid a bounty for the rats caught.

Many soldier’s personal letters depict the horrific nightmare of living with ravenous rats.

Mice were housed in submarines where they detected toxic fumes.

Reindeer, oxen, mules, donkeys and even a few elephants were used as draught animals.

Canaries were used in the trenches as detectors of toxic gases, as they were used in the coal mines. Coal was a major fuel used for powering steam ships and trains.

The feeding, maintenance and veterinarian care of the animals was done by specialized units within the forces. The weight of Fodder transported by and for animal feed [5.9 million tons] was greater than the weight of ammunition transported for use as gun food [5.2 million tons]!!!

Although technically worms are not animals they were used in the war.

Silkworms provided the silk used for the cross hairs in gun sighting optics and glow worms were used in the trenches to provide light when electricity failed.  Amazingly only ten glow worms where required to emit the equivalent of one low wattage street light!

World War I Animals & Camel Pictures