This November marks 106 years since the end of the First World War, an event which was unprecedented in scale and destruction. Although the years 1914-1918 saw millions of soldiers experiencing the horrors of warfare, the same was true for animals: over 16 million animals served in WW1. From carrying ammunitions and medical equipment, to providing comfort and companionship, animals performed a myriad of tasks during WW1. This article explores the roles played by pigeons, dogs and horses, which were among the most popular to be used.
At the outbreak of the war, radio communication was not yet fully-fledged: carrying radio equipment was an arduous task, messages were unable to reach more than 2,000 yards, and were also easily intercepted. On a slightly ironic note, the solution to this problem required far less, not more, technological innovation: carrier pigeons were the preferred way to send military intelligence and distress signals. This was largely thanks to their innate ability to find their way home over vast distances, and their ability to fly up to 60mph. They also provided an extremely reliable mode of communication, given that almost 95% of messages sent by pigeon were successfully received. Given their fundamental role in the war effort, many pigeons were widely regarded as heroes and awarded medals for their service.
The affectionately named Cher Ami (Dear Friend) was one such pigeon, whose bravery and perseverance saved the lives of almost 200 American soldiers. In the Argonne Forest, in the northeast of France, America’s 77th Infantry Division found themselves trapped behind German lines, without food, medical supplies or ammunition. Not only were they facing heavy artillery bombardment from enemy fire, but they were also being attacked by allied artillery who were unaware of their position.
The Infantry Division had already sent a number of carrier pigeons in an effort to communicate with the headquarters. However, this was to no avail – recognizing their value to the war effort, German soldiers shot down every pigeon that was sent for help. Cher Ami was their last remaining pigeon, and their last hope at survival. Carrying a message which read, ‘our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heaven’s sake stop it.’
Cher Ami completed the treacherous journey to deliver the message, despite being shot several times and arriving severely injured: she had lost vision in one eye and one of her legs required amputation. As a result of her fearlessness, Cher Ami saved the lives of 195 American soldiers, and was awarded the Croix de Guerre, the highest military honor in France.
Horses were indispensably used during the war, and performed tasks such as carrying soldiers and weaponry. The most famous horse of WW1 was Warrior, who belonged to Captain Jack Seely. They arrived in France together in 1914, and spent the duration of this time in action, only returning to England in 1918. Known as ‘the horse the Germans could not kill’, Warrior survived the horrors of Passchendaele, the Somme and Ypres. Like Cher Ami, Warrior became popular among the general public, to the extent that his obituary appeared in The Times and Evening Standard. Nevertheless, the vast majority of horses who were equally brave were not as fortunate, and not celebrated in this way. For example, 8 million horses died in total, and even if they survived the war, thousands were butchered to feed the prisoners of war in Belgium or France, or else they were sold to farmers as work horses.
Regarding canine companions, the tale of Sergeant Stubby is perhaps the most famous. A stray dog who was befriended by Private J. Robert Conroy while training with the 102nd Infantry. Unwilling to leave his companion behind, Conroy smuggled Stubby onto the ship that would take them both to France. Stubby participated in 17 battles during the war, and proved indispensable. His sense of smell allowed him to alert soldiers of imminent gas attacks, whilst he provided comfort to patients during his time at the Red Cross Hospital. By the end of the war, Stubby and Conroy were well-known across America, and Stubby was the first dog to officially be promoted to the rank of Sergeant.
Despite these valiant efforts, many have questioned whether the animals of WW1 were really heroes? Would it be more fitting to remember them as victims? As is inscribed on the Animals in War Memorial in London, ‘they had no choice.’