Suffering in War: Humans and Animals alike

Animals have played an indispensable role in warfare since ancient times. They have always been important as a source of food, but once humans domesticated them, they became essential in many other areas as well. They were crucial for transporting supplies, equipment, and the wounded, and they were used to pull war machines. Without horses, for example, the most prestigious branch of the army—the cavalry—could not have existed, and they were also used to pull chariots. Since ancient times, armies have also used dogs for both combat and guard duties; by the end of the 19th century, they began to be used as medical and rescue dogs as well. Animals were also indispensable in communication: carrier pigeons have been in use since antiquity. Animals also played another role: they provided comfort, boosted morale, served as mascots for various units, while rats and various parasites made the already extremely harsh lives of soldiers even more difficult.

The exhibition presents, through thematic sections, the various areas in which animals played a more or less crucial role in the lives of soldiers—from the traditional use of animals for transport and combat, through medical services, to their use for food. It also highlights the coexistence of soldiers with various parasites and, perhaps most importantly, the role of animals as companions, which helped to ease the psychological burden of soldiers’ lives.