By Cindy Rodriguez
Have you ever considered the role of horses in wartime? When we think of Hitler's Army invading Poland, Russia, and France, we often picture a modern, mechanized force rolling through with tanks and artillery. But did you know that Germany's horses played a crucial role in their conquests?
As I delved into the research for my mother's memoir, I uncovered some astounding facts about the Third Reich's use of horses in combat. Due to restrictions placed on their military forces under the Treaty of Versailles, Germany's cavalry units were able to expand uninhibited. And with the limited number of motorized vehicles available, over 750,000 horse-drawn artillery and other types of fighting equipment were used in the invasion of Russia in 1941, compared to only 600,000 motorized vehicles.
But the impact of war on these loyal animals was horrific. An estimated 2.1 million horses perished during the war, almost twice as many as in World War I. The German Army lost an average of 1,000 horses a day on the Eastern front due to combat, overwork, diseases, exposure, and starvation. It's a staggering number that illustrates just how crucial horses were to Germany's war effort, and how devastating the consequences were for these innocent creatures.
What's more, the role of the cavalry grew due to the invasion of Russia. Russia's unique environment was not conducive to motorized vehicles, and the German Army needed to create more cavalry units to get around obstacles such as thick forests. By the end of the war, Germany had amassed seven cavalry units, a significant increase from their original one cavalry unit, the First Cavalry Division, which later became the 24th Panzer Division.
It's surprising to consider that, despite the advancements made in technology, more horses were used in WWII than WWI. As the war raged on, however, horses became scarce and the conditions for them worsened. Some were slaughtered to feed the starving German troops, while others were simply abandoned and left to die. The atrocities committed against these animals are a tragic reminder of the brutal nature of war and its far-reaching impact. These somber statistics offer a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during wartime. But they also shed light on a little-known aspect of Germany's military strategy.
Have you ever considered the role of horses in wartime? When we think of Hitler's Army invading Poland, Russia, and France, we often picture a modern, mechanized force rolling through with tanks and artillery. But did you know that Germany's horses played a crucial role in their conquests?
As I delved into the research for my mother's memoir, I uncovered some astounding facts about the Third Reich's use of horses in combat. Due to restrictions placed on their military forces under the Treaty of Versailles, Germany's cavalry units were able to expand uninhibited. And with the limited number of motorized vehicles available, over 750,000 horse-drawn artillery and other types of fighting equipment were used in the invasion of Russia in 1941, compared to only 600,000 motorized vehicles.
But the impact of war on these loyal animals was horrific. An estimated 2.1 million horses perished during the war, almost twice as many as in World War I. The German Army lost an average of 1,000 horses a day on the Eastern front due to combat, overwork, diseases, exposure, and starvation. It's a staggering number that illustrates just how crucial horses were to Germany's war effort, and how devastating the consequences were for these innocent creatures.
What's more, the role of the cavalry grew due to the invasion of Russia. Russia's unique environment was not conducive to motorized vehicles, and the German Army needed to create more cavalry units to get around obstacles such as thick forests. By the end of the war, Germany had amassed seven cavalry units, a significant increase from their original one cavalry unit, the First Cavalry Division, which later became the 24th Panzer Division.
It's surprising to consider that, despite the advancements made in technology, more horses were used in WWII than WWI. As the war raged on, however, horses became scarce and the conditions for them worsened. Some were slaughtered to feed the starving German troops, while others were simply abandoned and left to die. The atrocities committed against these animals are a tragic reminder of the brutal nature of war and its far-reaching impact. These somber statistics offer a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during wartime. But they also shed light on a little-known aspect of Germany's military strategy.