Animals In Military History

October 23, 2024 | Mark Schilling

Animals In Military History


Animals In Military History

It's sometimes easy to forget the contributions of animals in military history. They may not understand what's happening around them, but they’ve nevertheless played a crucial role in battle, even in the 20th and 21st centuries. Here are some interesting stories about animals and their role in some of the world’s most influential conflicts.

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Corporal Jackie The Baboon

During WWI, animals—mostly horses—were used much as they had been in previous conflicts, pulling carts and in cavalry divisions. Corporal Jackie was a baboon and not a conventional military animal—he was a South African officer's pet who became the unit mascot and was injured a number of times in combat. He was trained to salute and attained the rank of corporal and after losing his right arm, he was awarded the Pretoria Citizens Service Medal.

Corporal Jackie poses for a portrait in his official uniformUnknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

White Vision The Pigeon

A female homing pigeon, White Vision served in the National Pigeon Service during WWII. In 1943, after delivering a message from a flying boat wrecked off the coast of Scotland, she was awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry, an award given exclusively to animals.

Pigeons in WW2Signal Corps Archive, Wikimedia Commons

Rip The Dog

Another recipient of the Dickin Medal, Rip was a mixed-breed terrier who worked in search and rescue during The Blitz in WWII. A stray found in 1940, he is credited with saving over 100 people. 

Rip (dog), Second World War search and rescue dogMinistry of Information Photo Division Photographer, Wikimedia Commons

Rob The Dog

During the North African Campaign of WWII, Rob worked with the British Special Air Service (SAS). He was awarded the Dickin Medal after having made over 20 parachute jumps in combat. The story may be fabricated or at least exaggerated, but Rob did serve the SAS with a distinguished record.

Rob the Collie receiving his Dickin MedalUnknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

Kenley Lass The Pigeon

Kenley Lass was the first pigeon to deliver intelligence in German-occupied France during WWII. In October 1940, she parachuted (with a human agent) into France and made the 300 mile flight back to Britain in less than seven hours, carrying crucial information.

National Pigeon Service during WWIILibraryArchives, Flickr

The Moose Cavalry

The cavalry is usually an elite force with a nation's military, with horseback officers having a distinct advantage. In the 17th century, the Swedish King Charles XI was said to have a moose-based cavalry due to the expense of importing horses. During the Winter War between Finland and the USSR, the Soviets reportedly utilized moose as cavalry as well.

Moose in winterURAL, Pexels

The United States Camel Corps

In the mid-19th century, the United States Army experimented with the use of camels as pack animals. The camels proved to be well-suited for the work, particularly in the southern United States. However, with the outbreak of the US Civil War, the United States Camel Corps was abandoned, and the animals were sold at auction.

Only known surviving photo of the U.S. Camel CorpsRudolph D'Heureuse, Wikimedia Commons

Animal Mascots

Australian servicemen routinely brought animals indigenous to Australia with them when they served overseas in WWII. Many kangaroos and koalas found themselves in the thick of things in the Pacific and North African theaters. After WWII, these animals could not be returned because of quarantine laws and were donated to the Cairo Zoo.

Kangaroo mascot with Australian soldiersAussie~mobs, Flickr

Other Animals Who Served

Although not remembered by name or as individuals, other animals were used in military history. Canaries and mice were sensitive to gases and served as early-warning systems against gas attacks in WWI. Most spectacularly, military glow worms were used as lights in the trenches in order to read important messages rather than lanterns which might be spotted by the enemy.

Nurses on a British ambulance train near Doullens with their pet canaries WW1IWM, Getty Images

Kiri And Many

Kiri and Many were two circus elephants in Germany. After an Allied air raid damaged their home, they worked clearing rubble caused by the air raids. After the German surrender, they continued to work in the rebuilding of Germany.

Circus elephants Kiri and Many in WW2Carpenter (Sergeant), Wikimedia Commons

Wojtek The Bear

Wojtek was a brown bear adopted by the 2nd Polish Corps during WWII. In order to provide for his rations, he was officially enlisted as a private, eventually being promoted to corporal. He participated in the invasion of Italy, serving with distinction, and lived out his post-WWII days in the Edinburgh Zoo.

Wojtek The Bear in WW2Imperial War Museum, Wikimedia Commons

Horrie The Wog Dog

The unofficial mascot for a battalion of the Second Australian Imperial Force, Horrie the Wog Dog was an Egyptian terrier befriended by an officer stationed in Egypt during WWII. The dog served with the battalion throughout the Middle East. Although it is thought that Horrie was put down by quarantine officials after WWII, there is evidence that Horrie was snuck into Australia.

Black & white photo of Horrie the Wog Dog wearing outfitUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons

Jet The Dog

Jet, whose full name was Jet of Iada, was a German Shephard famous for rescuing more than 150 people trapped in buildings during The Blitz. A pedigree dog born in Liverpool, he was awarded the Dickin Medal and the RSPCA's Medallion of Valor for his rescue efforts.

German shepherd dog in WW2americanairmuseum.com, Picryl

Unsinkable Sam

Oskar, or Oscar as he was known to the British Royal Navy, was nicknamed Unsinkable Sam for surviving the sinking of three ships. Oscar was rescued from the sea after the sinking of the German battleship Bismarck, later serving on the HMS Cossack, which was sunk in 1941. After this, Oscar was transferred to the HMS Ark Royal, which also sank, ending Oscar's naval career. He spent the rest of WWII in an office in Gibraltar.

Oscar, Cat From The German Ship 'Bismarck'Georgina Shaw Baker, Wikimedia Commons

William Of Orange

Animals can be spies and William of Orange, a pigeon, worked for the British military intelligence service MI14. He successfully delivered a message from the Arnhem Airborne Operation, saving over 2,000 lives in the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944. William of Orange was awarded the Dickin Medal in 1945.

The pigeon William of OrangeUnknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

Peter The Collie

Peter was awarded the Dickin Medal in 1945. He was a search and rescue dog in London, recuing people trapped in the rubble after air raids. He was presented to the King, Queen, and Princess Elizabeth.

Red Cross CollieUnknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

Scotch Lass

Scotch Lass was a carrier pigeon who accompanied a British agent on a mission to the Netherlands. She was tasked with delivering crucial photos to Britain when she was injured flying into telegraph wires. She nevertheless carried on, making it back to Britain and was later awarded the Dickin Medal.

Dickins Medal For Pigeon Royal BlueJoseph Krol, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Judy The Dog

Judy was a pointer who served on the HMS Gnat and Grasshopper ships in the Pacific theater. Her ability to hear incoming aircraft proved valuable. When the Grasshopper was sunk, Judy and other human survivors were stranded on an island where Judy helped locate drinkable water, saving countless lives.

Judy sits up and listens to a sailor's commands on the deck of HMS GRASSHOPPERUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons

Punch And Judy

Punch and Judy were a pair of boxers who served in British Palestine in 1946. They were awarded the Dickin Medal for warning British officers and attacking an armed insurgent. Both Punch and Judy were injured in the attack but both survived. 

Two boxer dogsUnknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

Tich The Dog

A mascot of the King's Royal Rifle Corps, Tich saw much action during WWII. She was awarded the Dickin Medal and lived out her post-WWII life with her handler in the UK.

Tich dog from ww2Acabashi, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Simon The Cat

Simon served on the Royal Navy ship HMS Amethyst after WWII. During the Yangtze Incident on the Yangtze River in 1949, Simon survived injuries from an artillery shell and saved the ship from a rat infestation.

Ships Cat 'Simon' Awarded the Dickin MedalPA Images, Getty Images

Winnipeg The Bear Cub

Canadian Lieutenant Harry Colebourn purchased a bear cub in 1914, naming her after his adopted hometown. She became his unit's mascot and during WWI, Winnie traveled to Europe with them. She was donated to the London Zoo where author Alan Alexander Milne and his son Christopher saw her, and she became the inspiration for Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories.

Harry Colebourne and Winnie WW2#N10467, Wikimedia Commons

Tirpitz The Pig

Tirpitz was a pig on the German SMS Dresden, which was damaged in WWI and skuttled, leaving Tirpitz alone on the abandoned ship. She swam away and was rescued by the British HMS Glasgow, where they awarded her a hand-made Iron Cross. She served as the Glasgow's mascot until retirement in 1916.

Tirpitz the Pig form ww1Royal Navy official photographer, Wikimedia Commons

Warrior The Horse

During WWI, Captain Jack Seely of the British Expeditionary Force had a horse named Warrior. The two served throughout WWI, seeing much action in the fierce battles on the Somme and at Ypres. They lead the Canadian Cavalry Brigade during the Battle of Moreuil Wood in March 1918, the last major offensive of WWI. Warrior survived WWI, nicknamed “the horse the Germans could not kill”.

Gen. Jack Seely astride 'Warrior' (horse) statueMichael Garlick, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Regal The Horse

Regal was a bay horse who served in WWII in London. In 1941 during the Blitz, his stable was destroyed, and he was able to maintain his composure. He served throughout WWII in all sorts of conditions.

The British Army in the United Kingdom 1939-45Royal collection of the United Kingdom, Picryl

Olga The Horse

Olga was a bay mare used for crowd control and rescue operations during WWII. In 1944, while she was on duty, there was an explosion nearby and Olga remained calm and aided in transporting survivors and diverting crowds from getting too close to the damaged area.

Horse and Cart Deliveries For the LondonImperial War Museums, Picryl

Upstart The Horse

Upstart was a chestnut horse who served during WWII. After surviving an attack on his stables, Upstart patrolled the streets of London. Wounded during another air raid, Upstart remained unfazed and directed traffic and crowds, even while injured. 

Reckless with Sgt. LathamUSMC photographer, Wikimedia Commons

Sergeant Reckless

A carrier horse for the United States Marine Corps during the Korean conflict, Sergeant Reckless was wounded twice in battle and served during the Battle for Outpost Vegas in 1953. She made countless trips to the front (51 in one day), carrying equipment to the combat zone and the wounded back to camp.

Sgt Reckless In PastureAndrew Geer or another member of United States Marine Corps, Wikimedia Commons

Gander

A Newfoundland dog, Gander was the mascot for the Royal Rifles of Canada during WWII. He was slain in action during the Battle of Hong Kong in 1941. He met a heroic end, picking up a grenade that had been thrown by the enemy and then rushing toward them, saving several injured Canadian soldiers with his sacrifice. Gander was posthumously awarded the Dickin Medal in 2000.

Black  Newfoundland dogBoston Public Library, Picryl

Apollo The Dog

Apollo was a search and rescue dog for the NYPD. For his work during the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, Apollo was awarded the Dickin Medal.

Search and Rescue dog, Apollo from 9/11George Best, Getty Images

Sadie The Dog

Sadie, a black Labrador Retriever, was awarded the Dickin Medal for detecting an explosive device outside the United Nations headquarters in Kabul in November 2005. She was awarded the medal by Princess Alexandra.

Black Labrador RetrieverGolden Retriever - Labrador, Flickr

Theo The Dog

Theo was an English Springer Spaniel who was an explosive detection dog for the British stationed in Afghanistan. Theo and his handler Lance Corporal Liam Tasker had set a record for explosives found during their deployment. When Lance Corporal Tasker was lost in action, Theo passed away only a few hours later, from an unexpected seizure.

search Dog Grace accepting the PDSA Dickin medal at Wellington BarracksSean Dempsey, Getty Images

Lucca The Dog

A German Shepherd/Belgian Malinois mix, Lucca was a service dog with the United States Marine Corps for six years. Trained to detect explosives, she was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan where she was injured by an IED blast, losing a leg. She retired in 2012 and lived with her handler Gunnery Sergeant Chris Willingham.

Homeward Bound Lucca RetiresCpl. Jennifer Pirante, Wikimedia Commons

Kuga

Kuga was a male Belgian Malinois military dog serving with the Australian Army in Afghanistan. While on patrol in Khas Urozgan District, Kuga was shot five times while grasping an insurgent fighter with his mouth. He was posthumously awarded the Dickin Medal.

A Belgian Malinois DogDiana, Pexels

Hertz

Hertz is a German Shorthaired Pointer and born in Croatia. He worked with the Royal Air Force after being noticed for his skills in drug detection. Hertz was trained as the first British military dog ever to be trained in the art of detecting electronic communications equipment, serving with the Royal Air Force in Afghanistan in the 2010s. He is now retired.

Retired RAF Police sniffer dog, Hertz, in Green Park, central London, with his People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) Dickin Medal for valourKirsty O'Connor, Getty Images

Sasha The Dog

Sasha was a Labrador Retriever who served as an explosive detection dog for the British Army in Afghanistan. Sasha and her handler, Lance Corporal Kenneth Rowe, were both lost on July 2008 and Sasha was awarded the Dickin Medal.

Dickin Medal for Animal Gallantry which was posthumously awarded to Military Working Dog SashaAndrew Matthews, Getty Images

Bing

Bing The Dog was an Alsatian-Collie cross who was trained at the Army War Dog Training School during WWII. Bing parachuted over Normandy on D-Day and was later wounded in action. He worked locating and protecting military personnel.

War Dog Training, Britain, C 1940Imperial War Museums, Picryl

Duke Of Normandy

Duke of Normandy was a pigeon who was the first bird to arrive back with a message from the paratroops of the 21st Army Group on D-Day. He received the Dickin Medal in 1947.

pigeon ww2Royal Air Force official photographer, Wikimedia Commons

Sergeant Stubby

A mascot for the American infantry unit during WWI, Sergeant Stubby served for 18 months, participating in 17 battles on the Western Front. He saved his unit from gas attacks, located wounded officers, and caught a German, holding him by the seat of his pants. The most decorated dog of WWI, Stubby was promoted to sergeant and when he passed in 1926, his remains were kept at the Smithsonian Institution. In 2018, the heroic little dog was the subject of an animated film, Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero.

Sgt. Stubby getting a medal in WW1Harris & Ewing, Wikimedia Commons


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