We should remember the heroic men and women who have served in operational service on Anzac Day. The memories of our Australian Veterans have been told to us all, but we have forgotten the stories of service animals. These courageous animals performed crucial service tasks and offered solace during wartime battles. This blog is dedicated to the veterans — both human and animal — who have given so much and contributed significantly in our well-being, safety and success.
1 — Dogs
Dogs were frequently employed in the military as working animals, messengers, and companions. Dogs were commonly used to locate wounded soldiers since they have a good sense of smell and acute hearing.
Sergeant Stubby was likely the most well-known and decorated dog of the First World War. He served as the 102nd Infantry Regiment’s official mascot. He participated in 17 fights on the Western Front throughout the course of his 18-month duty.
With his keen sense of smell, he alerted his soldiers to impending gas assaults by rushing through the camp and barking. By finding injured men on the battlefield and even capturing a German spy, he also helped save hundreds of lives. Stubby won numerous honours for his exceptional service.
2 — Pigeons
Due to their speed and capacity for flying at great altitudes during World War I, pigeons were essential for communication and observation. In addition to their innate homing senses, they are also extremely trustworthy messengers. To take airborne photos, a tiny camera was fastened to the pigeon. They were assisting forces in locating warriors and tracking their movements.
3 — Horses and mules
Probably the most frequently seen animals in WWI-related illustrations and photos. In addition to being utilized as transportation and in cavalry forces, horses and mules were employed as beasts of burden to move large artillery or other items. Hundreds of thousands of horses were continuously transported from allies all over the world since they were frequently considered to be essential to a soldier’s survival. During the four years of fighting, 8 million horses are estimated to have perished.
4 — Other animals
Cats and other animals were often employed as mascots to boost morale and offer companionship. On the Australian HMAS Encounter, a cannon’s muzzle has a mascot cat looking out. As they did not mind being in small places and helped get rid of rodents, cats were frequently used as mascots on warships.
On Anzac Day…,
In appreciation of the crucial roles that dogs, cats, and other pets have played and continue to play in our lives and in ensuring our safety, let’s raise our hats to all furry friends around the globe. Remember the animals and pets who have contributed so much to our culture and way of life.
