The Animals' War

by Juliet Gardiner

Published in association with the Imperial War Museum, to coincide with their major exhibition, and including an introduction by Jilly Cooper. From the First World War to the present day, animals have played a key part in warfare - and many have suffered and died as a result. Juliet Gardiner's book is a moving tribute to their efforts and sacrifice - illustrated with hundreds of evocative photographs and paintings. Many different animals have played a role on the battlefield - horses and mules carrying supplies and munitions; dogs, like Buster in Iraq, seeking out ammo dumps; canaries trained by tunnellers to detect gas; carrier pigeons sending messages, like Gustav who flew back with the first reports of the D-Day landings; camels used in the Arab Revolt in the First World War; and dolphins trained to protect submarines.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Animals

192 pages, Hardcover

First published May 31, 2006

Reviews

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023)]

Hard to find words for this one. Part horrific and part sheer loveliness. That these wonderful creatures should ever be used for war is one of the many terrible ironies of life. At the same time, the stories of their loyalty and courage in the face of awful and incomprehensible circumstances are strangely humanizing - another irony.

[Evelyn]

This coffee table book presents the fascinating history of the use of animals as beasts of burden to transport men and materials, construct bridges and roads, and perform other tasks for the military during times of war. Although the book’s primary focus is on the employment of animals to assist and support the military especially British troops during the First and Second World Wars, there are references to their use in other conflicts and by military forces of other countries. There is a discussion of efforts to provide them with veterinary care, both routine in nature, and for injuries. The book concludes with a short epilogue concerning the moral issues pertaining to animals use in these roles.

The book describes in less detail the animals that served as unit mascots, morale boosters, and pets on the frontlines during wartime, and the lives of animals and the roles that they played on the homefront during World War II.

The dazzling descriptions are accompanied by copious illustrations including drawings, paintings and photographs, and delightful anecdotes about people and animals illuminating the subject matter.

[Dennis Gelean]

I thought of this book,watching the rescue dogs in Haiti,another dickin medal should be issued.
without a book of this caliber, this history would be lost, It has good pictures and suitable for kids.
No military library is complete without this book.