The Enduring Role of Animals in World War I

World War I marked a turning point in warfare, ushering in an era of large-scale mechanization. Trains, trucks, tanks, cars, and motorcycles were deployed for the war, yet animals remained indispensable.

Before the United States entered the war, France and Britain were importing horses, mules, and donkeys from the U.S. But buying and importing animals was both difficult and expensive. Many of the animals became ill during transatlantic transit.

When the United States entered the war, the problems were compounded. Even more animals would be needed. Every effort was made by the military to keep the animals that were already in Europe alive, healthy and in service.

Why Animals Instead of Trucks?

Trench warfare predominated during World War I, and this broke up the terrain. Miles and miles of fortified trenches extended from the English Channel through Belgium, Luxembourg, and northwestern France to Switzerland. 

For soldiers and equipment, traveling through these areas was difficult at best. Many of the roads were poorly maintained, and poor weather was inevitable. Mud from rain slowed travel. As the heavily-laden trucks traversed the roads and the dirt byways, their narrow, solid-rubber tires gouged deep ruts. The heavier the equipment, the more damage that was done to the roads.

The military soon found that animals could navigate the rough roads and difficult terrain better than mechanized vehicles. Mules, oxen, horses, and donkeys were brought in to help move equipment around. Even medium-to-large dogs were used to pull small supply carts or one-man ambulances.

Cavalry

Up until World War I, cavalry was an important part of wartime fighting. Military leaders initially envisioned cavalry charges to break enemy lines during this war, but they quickly saw this was no longer practical. Cavalry charging into enemy lines was now met with machine gun fire—not fear. The enemy also used barbed wire to protect fortifications. Cavalry riders didn’t always see the almost invisible sharp barricade. If horses slammed into the wire, it could injure both horse and rider.

However, cavalry still had a place during this war. The mounted soldiers continued to be used as the “eyes and ears” of the military. The riders made reconnaissance trips to new areas and were often used to guard a regiment’s rear flanks.

Some infantry used cavalry horses to speed their travel. Soldiers could ride into an area for battle. Then then dismounted and left their horses in the rear as the men moved forward to fight.

All Animals

Since mechanized equipment was the priority for this war, quartermasters needed to bring in drivers, mechanics, extra vehicle parts, and fuel for tanks, trucks, and cars powering the war.

But the needs of the animals had to be accommodated as well. Animal handlers, veterinarians, blacksmiths, and of course, food were all required.

Hadn’t Animals Always Been Important?

The animal supply divisions of the military were known as “Remount Depots.” (If a soldier lost his horse, he needed a “remount.”) Since the mid-19^th century, the Remount Depots were to purchase horses and mules and maintain a food supply for these animals. They were also supposed to train the animals for the work they were purchased to do.

After the Civil War, the U.S. military knew that they ought to have a formalized system for acquiring and maintaining animals for war. But once the urgency of a particular war ended, the military brass was all too human. They let plans slide. Because the American military never expected to face a big demand for military animals, they were caught flat-footed when the war in Europe began in 1914.

Bringing Animals From Overseas

Even before the U.S. entered the war, the country helped their allies find horses and mules. From 1914-1916, The United States sold and shipped over 1.5 million horses and mules to both Great Britain and France.

There was no ready supply of military grade horses. The search for horses during the war was constant. A search through local newspapers of the era reveals advertisements and news articles encouraging people to sell or turn their horses in. 

One ad in a Missouri newspaper was headlined: “US War Horses Wanted.” A man named Ray Moran placed print advertisements, specifying that he wanted as many war horses as he could get. The ad listed dates when he would be in different towns in Missouri to purchase animals. The ad ends with: “Want All Your Good Mules.”

After the Civil War, the U.S. military knew that they ought to have a formalized system for acquiring and maintaining animals for war. But once the urgency of a particular war ended, the military brass was all too human. They let plans slide. Because the American military never expected to face a big demand for military animals, they were caught flat-footed when the war in Europe began in 1914.

Transport

The horses were transported from the U.S. via transatlantic freighters. Reports were that 50 ships left the country every month. Care of the animals on their way to the eastern seaboard was haphazard. There were few animal handlers around to help with transporting the horses and mules. Many died of disease before even boarding a ship. 

Sabotage was also a concern. Even before the U.S. entered the war, there was fear that foreign actors would come to the country to poison or infect the animals being sent overseas.

What About the Cavalry?

Cavalries were generally built of well-bred horses that excelled at speed, endurance, and agility. Relatively calm, saddle-broken horses were a must. As the war continued, carefully bred animals weren’t always possible or necessary.

One newspaper reporter wrote: “The little western pony may not come up to cavalry standards but he is a good little Ford and will get you there and be up and about next morning. If cactus is the only food, he will take it and smile and go on his way, leaving the regulation Packard [the thoroughbred] waiting for the oats to catch up.”  (The Idaho Statesman, June 21, 1916.)

Britain’s Blueprint

Britain entered the war in 1914—two years before the United States. They established systems for animal care and management that other countries emulated.

Military units with many animals had a member of the Royal Veterinary Corps with them. Others were given leaflets about how soldiers could care for an injured animal until it could be delivered to a veterinary field hospital.

When an animal was first injured, the veterinarian worked to stabilize the animal’s condition. The doctors generally had access to “horse ambulances.” These were specifically-built conveyances that could transport an injured horse but also serve as a well-supplied first aid station so that help could be administered quickly.

Field hospitals were built four miles behind the front lines and about 8 miles apart. If the animal could be stabilized, the horse would travel by horse ambulance (or on its own power) to the field hospital.

At the field hospital, there were fully-equipped surgical rooms. The buildings were surrounded by paddocks and barns for the animals.

With these facilities, the British were able to return to the field about 80 percent of the wounded animals. This was a major accomplishment because the more animals they could send back to the battlefield, the fewer they had to import.

Red Star Animal Relief

In 1916, U.S. Secretary of War Newton Baker contacted the president of the American Humane Association, Dr. William O. Stillman. Baker witnessed the ongoing difficulties trying to send healthy horses to Europe. He thought the Humane Society could help.

Stillman agreed. In 1916, he started the American Red Star Animal Relief Program in Albany, New York, to provide aid for the war animals. (It was an off-shoot of the international Red Star Animal Relief organization begun in Switzerland.)   

The first ad used to promote the cause was gut-wrenching. The illustration was by Fortunino Matania. It showed a British artilleryman kneeling by his fallen horse, offering comfort for the animal’s dying moments.  The poster reads “Help the Horse to Save the Soldier.”

To raise funds for food and medical supplies for the animals, Dr. Stillman and his staff recruited philanthropists all over the country.  By war’s end, there were 125 Red Star chapters established through the United States.

In addition to fundraising and a constant search for animals, the Red Star Animal Relief also looked for veterinary surgeons, stable hands, and blacksmiths to be sent overseas.

Other Services

The Red Star Relief knew they couldn’t answer all needs, so they also created literature that was distributed to soldiers who were stationed in any unit with animals.

The literature provided information on how to provide first aid under battlefield conditions. The more animals they could rehabilitate, the fewer they would have to bring to Europe from the United States.

Kindness to Animals

With the Humane Association involved, there were people who noticed little things that were big things to an animal. Much of the firewood used at the Front was timber salvaged from ruined buildings. Nails would have been a considerable problem. A poster noted that nails needed to be removed before dragging or bringing wood across the terrain.
One newspaper featured a photograph of a sergeant, wrapped in his greatcoat against the cold. He was reading a notice nailed to a tree:

“Kindness to animals. 500 horses lamed weekly by nails dropped on roads and horse lines by cookers carrying firewood with nails left in. Please remove nails.”

U.S. Enters War

A year after the Red Star Animal Relief was created, the United States entered the war. They would need an estimated 750,000 horses and mules to build the cavalry, artillery, and transportation units that would be needed overseas. 

The Remount Service was relatively small when the US entered the war, but the Quartermaster Corps soon created 33 additional remount depot stations to help with the mobilization. 

The Red Star chapters found many ways to raise money. Because they were soliciting a moneyed set of people, they held dog shows and horse shows that were well-attended and successful. At the depot at Linda Vista, California, they raised enough money for two horse ambulances.

Nationwide, Red Star Relief paid for buildings to be erected in the U.S. and overseas; medical supplies; and eleven motor vet ambulances, seven other ambulances. Four automobiles and 10 motor cycles  (7 with side cars) were furnished for the use of vets to visit sick animals.

Debt to the Animals

After the war ended, the military acknowledged the great debt owed to animals for their efforts. On October 15, 1921,a tablet was given permanent placement at the War and Navy Department building in Washington, D.C. Mrs. Warren Harding attended the ceremony.

The inscription reads:  This tablet commemorates the service and sufferings of the 243,135 mules and horses employed by the American Expeditionary Forces overseas during the Great World War, which terminated November 11, 1918, and which resulted in the death of 68,682 of those animals. What they suffered is beyond words to describe. A fitting tribute to their important services has been given by the commander-in-chief of the American Expeditionary Forces, General John J. Pershing, who has written: “The army horses and mules proved of inestimable value in prosecuting the war to a successful conclusion. They were found in all the theaters of preparation and operation doing their silent but faithful work without the faculty for hoping for any reward or compensation.”

Lest We Forget

The need for animals can be outlined in facts and numbers, but this does not fully explain their value. Animals provide comfort for those who work with and cared for them.

Even in World War I, the bond between man and animal continued. An article that first appeared in a British magazine, The Claremont Mission, summed this up succinctly, and it was reprinted in The Kansas City Star (February 26, 1916):

 “After the fierce fighting at Loos, it was noticed that there was a horse standing between the firing lines. For two days he remained there. Then some of our (British) men crawled out and found that he was standing by the dead body of his rider and would not leave the spot.  The horse itself was unharmed. Later on, some of our men very bravely arranged to get out to the horse again, blindfolded him, and brought him back behind our lines. By no other means could the faithful beast be persuaded to leave its dead master.” 

The Red Star Animal Relief Today

As for the Red Star Animal Relief, the organization continues to serve as an integral component of the American Humane Society’s animal rescue team. They are organized to respond to virtually every major disaster relief effort including earthquakes, hurricanes, and local wildfires and floods.

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