20 Surreal Photos Of Animals In Military Action
20 Surreal Photos Of Animals In Military Action
Read on to see some amazing animals in action!
Read on to see some amazing animals in action!
1. This British sailor stands with the Shotley Barracks mascot monkey on his shoulder during World War I.
While this monkey might not have been participating in battle, it served other purposes. It would have helped soldiers cope with the stress of military life.
2. British soldiers load their pack dog named Mark with some ammunition in 1941.
Dogs were crucial to soldiers on the front lines in both World Wars. They not only carried ammunition, but medical supplies.
3. Mark returns to the trench to pickup a fresh load of ammunition.
It wouldn't have been uncommon for soldiers to look at dogs as fellow members of their platoon. Mark was surely a confidant to these men in wartime.
4. This bear named Wojtek, went with Polish II Corps to Italy in 1942 and helped move ammo during the Battle of Monte Cassino for the 22nd Artillery Supply Company.
There's no telling how practical having a bear in the military would have been. After all, they're wild animals, but Wojtek seems to be comfortable with his trainer.
5. This dolphin is working with the US Navy in the Persian Gulf. It wears a pinger on its fin to help locate mines.
Dolphins are not only incredible swimmers, but very smart and trainable. They're able to go within certain enemy waters where human divers would be easily detected.
6. Reckless was one of the most decorated war horses in military history. She served during the Korean War, carrying supplies and ammunition.
Her service record was featured in LIFE magazine and she was recognized her as one of America's 100 all-time heroes. A bronze statue is dedicated to her in the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.
7. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jessie Johnson practices placement training with her dog, Chrach in 2013 at Forward Operation Base Pasab, Afghanistan.
Johnson said that she grew up with dogs and that members of her family "learned to take care of the animals and each other." Chrach certainly seems to have a bond with her.
8. Elephants were used in ancient warfare in India and most famously by Attila, ruler of the Huns in the 5th century.
Archers would ride on top the elephants and throw down spears or shoot arrows at enemies below. Some elephants would even be outfitted with body armor.
9. Elephants have been used in wartime as recently as the 1940s. This elephant is helping to move a bombed car in Hamburg, Germany.
This elephant was likely borrowed from a local zoo. Whereas a heavy piece of machinery might be unable to cross into bombed out areas of town, the elephant got the job done.
10. Animals not only serve functional purposes in the military but as morale boosters too. American soldiers watch their mascot goat and dog play in 1918.
Life during downtime could get pretty boring on a Naval ship. Animal mascots reminded soldiers of life back home and provided companionship and fun.
11. An Egyptian soldier working with the British Army poses with his camel in the early 1900s.
The Egyptian Army worked with the British in World War II. This camel likely would have been carrying supplies for the troops.
12. A soldier poses with his dog in 1950s. Note how both the soldier and dog are both wearing protective gas masks.
Animals were often placed in extreme danger during wartime. Without gas maks, both this dog and solider would have been exposed to deadly mustard gas.
13. A World War II British officer and his crew sit with their dog mascot on a ship in 1942. The dog had its paw injured during a German raid.
These sailors take a little bit of time to dote on their beloved mascot pup after his injury.
14. A soldier works on training exercises with an attack dog.
A well-trained military dog is capable of bringing down an enemy within seconds. This helps in preventing soldiers from possibly being killed by a knife-wielding attacker.
15. Some military mascots happened by accident. Like this mouse named Eustace by a British battleship crew in 1944.
It's not known how this little mouse was discovered, but the sailors sure seem to be enamored with him. Little Eustace no doubt enjoyed some military rations.
16. A dog serving with the British Royal Engineers helps to find buried land mines Bayeux, France.
Labs have incredibly powerful noses. This makes them very skilled at sniffing out live landmines buried below the dirt.
17. The 303 Polish Fighter Squadron in the Battle of Britain take a moment to say hello to the squadron's mascot puppy in 1940.
Even though these pilots are prepping to fly into enemy skies, they still take a little time to give their pup some pets. After all, there was no guarantee they'd get another chance.
18. Two soldiers fit a pack onto the back of of a dog during a training exercise in 1940.
All sorts of dogs have been used by the military, from labs and shepherds to various breeds of terriers. Some dogs are naturally better-suited for certain jobs than others.
19. Sailors surround the ship's cat, Convoy, asleep in a miniature hammock on board HMS HERMIONE in 1941.
The barracks of a Navy ship aren't exactly posh. However, Convoy the cat definitely seems to be living the sweet life onboard the ship.
20. Soldiers with the British 61st Division in Northern Ireland attach a message to a pigeon for delivery.
Carrier pigeons and doves have been used to deliver messages since Biblical times. This dove is carrying a note written on a piece of rice paper.