Animals in the military

[bixaorellana]

"The classified canine that went on the Navy Seals’ raid of Osama bin Laden’s compound has generated a wave of interest in military dogs, which have been used by the United States since at least World War I. Now, more valued than ever, they are on their own surge into Afghanistan."

Text above is from NYTimes article here. Article includes a slide show. There is another extensive slide show by Rebecca Frankel here. She is deputy managing editor of ForeignPolicy.com and writes a weekly war-dog feature for The Best Defense: ricks.foreignpolicy.com/category/one_time_tags/rebeccas_war_dog_of_the_week

Using animals for war is an uncomfortable subject, but apparently it's been done throughout history. Does anyone have historical examples?

The impulse of people to interact with animals is shown by the huge number of combat military personnel ignoring regulations in order to turn strays into pets: www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/afghanistan/bases-going-to-the-dogs-and-cats-1.128367

photo by Tech. Sgt. Francisco V. Govea II, U.S. Air Force

[Deleted]

That reminds me that I really must go to see Rin Tin Tin's grave in the Asnières pet cemetery one of these days. I think I have been promising myself that for at least 30 years.

[rikita]

May 12, 2011 18:00:44 GMT bixaorellana said:

Using animals for war is an uncomfortable subject, but apparently it's been done throughout history. Does anyone have historical examples?

um, horses in most wars until cars and tanks were invented?

[Deleted]

And let's not mention dolphins.

[Deleted]

Pigeons played a vital part in World War I - www.historylearningsite.co.uk/pigeons_and_world_war_one.htm and World War II - www.bletchleypark.org.uk/content/visit/whattosee/pigions.rhtm

The Dickin Medal:

The Dickin Medal was introduced to the UK in 1943 by Maria Dickin - founder of the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) - to honour the work of animals in war and is often described as the animals' Victoria Cross.

Read more about the Dickin Medal and the birds and animals who have won the award here.


In pictures: World's hero pets Last updated December 2007.

[hwinpp]

The Cambodians shot a handful of dogs that sauntered over the border two weeks ago with cameras and microphones attached.

And the Greeks famously used a wooden horse to infiltrate Troy!

[bixaorellana]

Wow, Rikita -- you made me look up horses & mules in warfare. They were used well after what I would have guessed. (see below)

;D True, HW -- probably the most famous war animal ever.

Poor Thai dogs! Couldn't they have just taken the cameras & microphones & sent the dogs back?

That first link is a good site about war animals, Rita - thanks. Part of it covers dogs & horses, too:
www.historylearningsite.co.uk/animals_in_world_war_one.htm
Super photos of the hero animals.

Here's some in-depth stuff about horses in WWI: www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/529612/posts

Rikita's comment made me remember a comment about cavalry on the tv show Mash, which was set during the Korean Conflict: www.olive-drab.com/od_army-horses-mules_korea.php

[hwinpp]

The German mountain division still uses mules.

I'd think the French and Italian Alpinisti or chasseurs alpins do too.

[bixaorellana]

I didn't know that. Guess it's more practical.

May 18, 2011 10:25:08 GMT hwinpp said:

... dogs that sauntered over the border two weeks ago with cameras and microphones attached.

Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war!




   

[Deleted]

How about Soldiers with Kittens?

[bixaorellana]

I adore the one with the kitty on the big gun behind the sandbags. The headband cats are pretty cool, too.

[Deleted]

Nice picture gallery. It's always sweet to see such tough guys showing their tender sides. I really like the one of the little girl showing the soldier her little kitten.

[bixaorellana]

www.thesoldierbear.com/wojtek.html

[bixaorellana]

Tons of stuff missing from this old thread, but here are some interesting additions:

How did animals (even slugs) serve in World War I? <-- click

And here are 15 Animals That Went To War <-- click

Camels carrying wounded men to safety on the North West Frontier of India, 1917.