The horse was very important for the German Military in the Second World War, the Wehrmacht had around 590 000 horses at the beginning of the war. Similarly, when the Wehrmacht invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941, it brought 600 000 motor vehicles, yet 625 000 horses as well.
To get a better understanding, in this video we look at contemporary sources on horses and military horses, which produces some interesting insights. The main source are articles from the encyclopedia “Neuzeitliche Wehrwissenschaften” (Modern Military Sciences) that was published by a former general and contained a preface by General von Fritsch, who back then was the Commander in Chief of the German Army. Topics covered are general views on the horse, the military horse, breeding, self-sufficiency, requirements for the horse, officer’s horse, certification, types of military horses, riding and experiences from the First World War.
Military History not Visualized
Read about WWII here
Circus Elephants used to clear bomb damage, Hamburg, November 1945
3 comments