As we stop in tribute to those who gave so much for us on Anzac Day, can we shine a spotlight for a moment on those often-forgotten heroes of war—the animals that were in battle alongside their courageous soldiers, withstanding their courage and loyalty forever in the history of warfare.
Horses and Donkeys: Backbone of the Battlefield
All through the din of battle, the horse and donkey were the indispensable comrades of the soldier, bearing many tons of military hardware, whether it be bringing forward the troops or carrying out messenger duties on the front line. It was during World War I that over 136,000 horses were sent overseas from Australia—stoic bravery to the horrors of war.
Many returned home; countless others perished on foreign shores, with their sacrifice remembered in memorials such as the Animals in War Memorial in Canberra.
Messengers of Hope: Pigeons
Pigeons have been great communicators in the time of war, using their great instincts of getting home and fantastic speed. Brave birds always brought necessary messages through the enemy's fires; sometimes, even their own lives were saved in the process. During World War II, more than 32,000 pigeons served in the Australian Army Signal Corps; some of their valour is on display at the Australian War Memorial.
Cats and Dogs:
Companions in Courage In the midst of war's chaos, cats and dogs have often provided comfort and companionship both to war-worn soldiers and fresh on the front line. Sometimes acting in the role of scouts, guards, and even messengers - many a soldier has had his or her heart touched by the uncanny senses and loyalty of the animals.
The cats, by their natural hunting instinct, helped keep the pests under control in the trenches—adding a dimension of control to what otherwise must have been chaos.
Protecting the perilous path when the world is in a chaotic, dangerous condition, full of minefields that breed from the annals of war, who would emerge as the unsung heroes, their noses well-tuned to the scent of danger? Dogs.
They were trained to sniff out the hidden explosives, buried under the earth, walked hazardous paths of minefields with its human partners, risking life and limb.
Special Memorial and Tribute although not to say that the valour and bravery of the animals' sacrifices have in any way been overshadowed by human soldiers' monuments. The Animals in War Memorial in Canberra stands in memory of all animals that served in war. The Purple Poppy Campaign is an example of initiatives aimed at securing honour for animals' contribution to wars.
As we gather and remember our fallen on ANZAC Day, lest we forget, we also remember the unsung heroes that stood with them—the animals who displayed a courage and sacrifice that will never be forgotten. We honour them, their memory, for another thousand years to come in reverence and appreciation, that their legacy is kept alive for generations. Lest we forget, valour gleams in the history book as a testament to the bonding between man and beast.
Author: Majella Gee
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