Remembering the millions of animals lost in war

This Sunday 11^th November we will focus our attention on those we have lost in conflict since the First World War. International animal charity SPANA is calling for us to remember the ‘forgotten victims’ too – the many millions of animals who also lost their lives.

Animals continue to be innocent victims of conflict around the world and as we respectfully reflect on the sacrifice of millions touched by war, SPANA is highlighting the fact that animals are still being killed in conflicts around the world one hundred years on.

Around 16 million animals were put into service by all sides during the First World War. One million mules and horses were employed by Britain alone, with the animals facing horrendous conditions as they transported ammunition, messages, food and supplies. They hauled guns and pulled ambulances, while cavalry horses led the charge at terrible cost against devastating machine gun fire.

Animals continued to serve in great numbers during the Second World War too.  Britain had 200,000 animals in service, while the German Army lost over 179,000 horses on the Eastern Front alone in just two months.

Today, even though military forces are increasingly mechanised and front line animals are less common, they continue to suffer in many war zones, as insurgents attach explosives to donkeys and horses, and animals are deliberately targeted as a tactic in modern warfare.

It is a sad reality that animals suffer appallingly during times of war. It is also a reality that many communities impacted by war are heavily reliant on working animals (such as in Afghanistan) and struggle with the loss of these animals in the aftermath of conflict as they rebuild infrastructure and lives.

This Armistice Day, watch the following film to find out more about the millions of animals who have lost their lives in wartime;

Main photo credit: Crown Copyright. IWM