They had no choice.

This is the second of two powerful inscriptions on the Animals in War Memorial in Brook Gate, Park Lane, London, that serves as a lasting tribute to the millions of animals that died alongside the British, Commonwealth, and Allied forces in the 20^th century. Like many of our own ancestors, horses had no choice when they were called upon to serve in the World Wars.

At the start of World War I, the cavalry units were indispensible in "shock warfare" and reconnaissance before the introduction of trench warfare, barbed wire, machine guns, and tanks. Once these military "tools" became standard, the cavalry units were at a disadvantage, and high numbers of deaths and injuries ensued. The war horse’s primary duties then changed dramatically, but horses were still widely used for transporting troops and supplies.

Of the more than 8 million horses that served in World War I, only a fraction survived. The British Army alone recruited 1 million horses; more than 90% died. In addition to direct attacks, causes of death in war horses were due to disease, starvation, thirst, and exposure to the elements. Despite the decline of cavalry units by Allied forces in the Second World War, Germany used more horses then than during the First World War. Reportedly, Germany used 2.75 million horses in World War II while the Soviets used 3.5 million