The Role Of Animals In World War One

Research Question
How have animals helped soldiers in World War One?

Source 1
BBC Schools-Animals During World War One http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/0/ww1/25401273 Horses millions of horses used with different roles
WW1 first war where cavalry was not main type of soldier significantly less use of cavalry than previous wars, but they were still used, even until the last battles used mostly in the Battle of Mons, but then “Both sides soon realised men on horses could not win the war in trenches. The muddy ground, barbed wire and machine guns made it very difficult for horses, so they were used for transportation instead.” cars and tanks would often break down so they were not reliable, horses and mules were better because they could get food
Source 2
History Learning Site- Animals in World War One http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/horses_in_world_war_one.htm Horses heavily used in WW1 during the war, primarily used as a form of transport trench warfare made the use of cavalry impractical and impossible because of machine guns, trench complexes, and barbed wire used for transport because vehicles were a new invention at the time and were prone to problems horses, mules, and donkeys were reliable and compared to cars, needed little upkeep
8 million died on all sides of the war, 2.5 million were treated in veterinary hospitals, 2 million sufficiently cured that were able to return to duty

http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/dogs_in_world_war_one.htm
Dogs
played a vital part of the war
“It is estimated that by 1918, Germany had employed 30,000 dogs, Britain, France and Belgium over 20,000 and Italy 3000.” most popular type of dogs were medium-sized, intelligent and trainable breeds two were really common because of their superior strength, agility, territorial nature, and trainability, dobermans and german shepherds terriers were also used, their small size allowed them to make excellent ratters had a variety of roles depending on their size, intelligence and
Signal Corps that served with the 77th Infantry and helped save 194 lives by delivering a message during the Battle Of Verdun
History/Background
animals have been used in warfare for over 2,500 years, from ancient Egyptians, to Chinese, to Persians and Romans in the Punic Wars, commander Hannibal used elephants as troop carriers and battering rams in the Song Dynasty in China, soldiers used monkeys as incendiary devices by setting them on fire and letting them run free in the enemy camps, burning everything