A Glance at the Animals

In World War One, many people died from explosions, gunfire and diseases. However millions of animals died too. Countless animals were taken to the Great War. These animals were in the frontline, in trenches and near the ward. They were very much soldiers too.

Horses were used as transport around the battlefields whilst camels were used to carry soldiers in Egypt. Cats were placed in trenches so there would be fewer mice in the trenches. Pigeons were used to send messages from on base to another. The German Army even used an elephant. In some cases the animals were used as weapons. As the Egyptians worshipped cats, when the Persians let out hundreds of cats in the battlefield, the Egyptians had to surrender rather than attack the Persians, in case a cat was killed in the process.

Animals used in the British Army were organised with the fit and able. If a horse looked ill, they would not be assembled with horses that were to be taken to no man’s land.

Horses and mules were greatly known in the war. They were acknowledged as these creatures saved many lives of soldiers, by taking them to the wards. Any soldier that was associated with a horse or mule, were known to have a great relationship with it.

                                  http://www.ams-museum.org.uk/museum/ravc-history/

The War In General

The Great War began in 28 July 1914 and ended in 11 November 1918.

Before the war there were several complications between the major empires of Europe. Alliances that were formed within countries were triggered after Gavrilo Princip assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife (heirs of the Austro-Hungarian throne).

Princip was an associate of the Black Hand Society, this group wanted Serbia to not be ruled by a foreign power; Austria-Hungary. As the Austro-Hungarian empire was infuriated with the deaths of their heirs, they seeked support from Germany to attack Serbia. Germany, Austria-Hungary and Italy were the Triple Alliance. On the other hand Serbia had an alliance with Russia. As Russia was now involved, Britain and France were too. (These three countries made up the Triple Alliance)

Previous rivalry between Germany and France evoked Germany’s desire to mobilise and attack France. Germany intended to invade Belgium to get to France; this is where many people got killed: western front. The invasion on Belgium prompted the British to officially declare war on Germany.

Many events occurred, one after the other. The war was only expected to last for a few months. Within a few weeks the major powers were at war; via their colonies. Countless lives were lost, and many soldiers came back traumatised. The world had never before seen anything more catastrophic.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/pathways/firstworldwar/maps/europe1914.htm