Mules & Donkeys

[Louis]

Mules and donkeys have played an unsung but crucial role throughout the history of warfare by carrying or pulling along much of the food, weapons and other supplies needed by armies. -

The mules born from a male donkey and a female horse, they became preferred over horses for carrying loads because of their greater endurance. They also displayed more intelligence and unwillingness to push to the point of injury, which led to the stereotype of being stubborn. Still, the ancient Roman legions marched with about one mule for every 10 Roman legionaries. Napoleon Bonaparte himself rode a mule across the Alps, in addition to using the animals in his baggage trains.

The U.S. Army alone used about 571,000 horses and mules in Europe during World War I, and lost about 68,000 killed in action.

US Army mules carrying 75 mm howitzers.

Mules have continued to find use even today, as U.S. Special Forces, marines and soldiers rely upon the animals to keep supply lines open for remote outposts in the mountains of Afghanistan.-

getty
commons.wikimedia.org
bbc.co.uk
latimes.com

 

[Louis]

U.S. Marines with 3rd Platoon, Delta Company, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division and British Royal Marines start a nine-kilometer packed mule hike at the Mountain Warfare Training Center in Bridgeport, CA, 15 Oct 2007.-

 

[Louis]

Mules on the "The Animals In War Memorial" - London

 

[Sempai]

That a good memorial. I´m glad there is something at London. I didn´t know it exists. Thanks for that info, Louis!

Greetings

 

[Louis]

Moroccans serving with the Free French during the campaign in Italy, 1943-44, use supply mules to transport their wounded to forward dressing stations.
The moroccans covered a mountainous location, with the mules bringing in supplies and ammunition and, on the return journey, helping with moving the wounded.

 

[Louis]

Checked thread

 

[Louis]

France, july 1944.

 

[Nort]

Anti-Tank Donkey

 

[Louis]

A mule to transport parts of an M3 37 mm anti-tank gun. Roffeno Area, Italy. April 16, 1945.

 

[Louis]

Scottish riding a former German pack mule (note the swastika) near Mt Etna in Sicily, Aug 1943.

 

[Gunner]

"The German army utilized approximately 2.75 million horses and mules throughout World War II. While Germany is often associated with mechanized warfare, horses played a significant role, particularly in logistics and transportation. They were used to pull supply wagons, artillery, and for reconnaissance patrols."

 

[mTk]

Horses seem well trained.

 

[Nort]

Horses seem well trained.

They’re German. Everything is “by the book.”

 

[Gunner]

But wait, there's more....

The Germans had setup a horse breeding program.

Interesting video

 

[mTk]

 

[Nort]

I attended the show the last time I was in Vienna.

 

[mTk]

Of course you did.

 

[Nort]

It was back in 2019. I always like to “horse around” when I’m on vacation.

 

[chiquichops]

I rode a mule in Asturias once. He was a really stubborn guy. Tough and steady though, took me through those hills. I think we got on really well, he was my hard-headed buddy. There was a storm one night and I was trying to get the horses into the stables when the mule decided to kick me with both hind legs. I stepped out of the way, quite miraculously, just by instinct. I reckon he'd have made a real mess of me. Never underestimate a mule!