Animal Heroes of the Great War

by Ernest Harold Baynes

'Inspiring and very moving - the story of the army of animals who support our troops in WWI. They were heroes on so many levels, and here their story is told by a truly gifted author.' Damien Lewis, author of War Dog and Judy - A Dog In A Million During the First World War there were nearly seventy million combatants who served in the armies of numerous countries and empires, but there was another army involved, one that is often overlooked in the history of The army of animals that supported the armies of men. From regimental mascots to beasts of burden, animals played a vital part in the war machine of all involved, and often beyond anything we might imagine. There was man’s best friend — brave, loyal dogs who served as patrolmen, messengers, sentries, even combatants and detectives. Communication has increased importance in modern warfare, yet at times a homing pigeon’s instinct of orientation was the sole hope available to soldiers in the field. And despite the lowering esteem in which conventional cavalry was held, horses were still able to go where the most modern of vehicles could not. Focusing on the Allied Powers, Baynes tells of “the work done by animals in helping to win the war,” recording the services and sacrifices borne by these noble animals and more, including the advent of chemical warfare and what it meant. Ernest Harold Baynes (1868-1925) was an American writer and naturalist. After a period as a reporter for The New York Times, he regularly contributed articles to numerous papers and magazines. A natural with wild animals, he became known for hand-rearing, protecting and championing their cause. Animal Heroes of the Great War was his last book.

Genres: History, Animals

293 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 12, 2016

Reviews

[Susan Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Fuzzypants here
This is a very good and well documented book on the animals who served in WWI. There is a lot of good information in it and goes into considerable detail.
It was not, however, what I expected. I thought there would be more stories about specific animal heroes. There were some but the bulk of the book dealt with the logistics more than the individual feats of bravery. When the stories were told, it lifted the narrative to a higher level and plucked at heartstrings time and again.
There was a lot of detail about horses and mules who did the lion's share of the heavy lifting. It also talked about camels and dogs. There was nary a mention of cats, in fact, there seemed a bit of an anti-cat bias. As a cat myself, I know we felines served and served well.
It was interesting as well to read this book knowing what would occur after it was published in the 1920's. The theories that the days of cavalry would never end or that air power was just a fad were sadly mistaken as the events of WWII proved only too well. It is often a good thing to read something that was disproven by the passage of time. It reaffirms that no matter how much we may think we can predict the future, reality shows it to be hubris.
Still and all, it is a good book, particularly if you are interested in how animals served in the war.
Four purrs and two paws up.

[Leyla Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not think I was going to like this book, only because I thought that there would be lots of sad stories and lots of tears on my side. We there were some tears, but the book was surprising good. It is factual and documents the history of our animals who gave there all in the First World War with very little in return. It tells the story of the men and women who were able to give then care and love and it tells the story of how important animals where in the War that was to end all wars.
Ernest Baynes was a animal lover all his life and he tapped into important people accounts and did much research for this book, in fact when he died it wasn't quite finished and he left instructions for thanks and publishing. I did find the introduction by a friend rather lengthy, but the book itself was one that I could not put down easily.
Anyone who has any interest in war history will find this book very fascinating, to others it is just mind blowing the extent of the animals used and how organised it all was with vets and handlers etc
This book was provided to me in return for an honest and unbiased review

[Martina · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book by an inspiring man, written in 1925 just before he died.
No pictures make it a bit hard to read.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Animal Heroes of the Great War" was originally published in the 1920s, and this is evident in the style of the book (including some racist and propagandist passages). However, it is interesting that the author was already well aware of the great importance of animals in the war effort and the effect they had on soldiers. Many brief anecdotes about particular animals are included alongside overviews of the different species used by the Allies.