Horses at war

World War I, in addition to its millions of human casualties, also saw the death of hundreds of thousands of military horses. Steven Spielberg's latest film “War Horse” — the story of a young cavalry soldier and his beloved horse — has brought their exploits and plights to national attention. As a fascinating supplement, these photos (from Simon Butler’s “The War Horses”) are worth considering. Through their gritty beauty, they provide a powerful and at times terrifying sense of equine — and human — life during wartime, from parade ground to battlefield

A young horse stands over the body of the rider who, even in death, clutches the reins of his mount.

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Warhorse Royale

Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany and King George V of England riding together on a London street

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Semper Fido

1925. "Sgt. Jiggs." The Marine Corps mascot in Washington, D.C., with an actual Marine. National Photo Company Collection glass negative.

The USMC got the nickname "Devil Dogs" from the Germans in World War I. The term "Devil Dog" in German is a legendary boogeyman from hell in German folklore. When they saw the fierceness with which the Marines fought in France, the Germans gave the USMC this name out of fear and respect. The Corps loved it and adopted the Bulldog as their mascot. The name persists today even though it is not widely known among the general public. There are some excellent history references on this subject at the Marine Museum at the USMC Recruit Depot at Parris Island, South Carolina.

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Red Cross Dog

Washington, D.C., circa 1917. "Miss Carter Mullikin, Holton-Arms School." Harris & Ewing Collection glass negative. (The full size is excellent.)

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