Mechanized Warriors In World War II

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The Forgotten Warriors in the Mechanized World War II
World War II was the first mechanized war. The United States was one of the most mechanized out of all the countries. One disadvantage to a mechanical war was some terrain is hard to get machines through. So was it completely mechanized, could it be? In World War II, horses and mules played a big part of the war. Horses and mules were used to pull equipment, trained to ride, and took part in the last major cavalry battle in World War II.
One of the reasons horses and mules were used in World War II, is they pulled equipment. Mules especially “could carry anything...and they could travel to places no horse or vehicle could go” (Horses and Mules-Animals in World War II). Mules could carry supplies like food, weapons and medical supplies which were necessary for some of the soldiers to receive. “Horses and mules employed as cavalry, field artillery draft animals, and in supply trains” (Military Horses and Mules During World War II). Jungles …show more content…

“To the cavalryman, his mount was more dependable than a motor vehicle” (Robertson). Horses and mules were not only used to pull things, but also to ride, and were very reliable to their soldier. As they were trained in the United States, they were shipped off to be used in battles and carry patrols. “Horses carried soldiers on patrol missions in Europe and into battle in the Philippines. Mules, trained in the United States and shipped by the thousands into war zones, contributed their strength and sweat to the fight.” (Auel). As the war continued there was an increase in vehicles and the use of horses decreased, by the end horses were still successfully used in battle throughout the war. Unlike the military stories not all cavalry battles were a massacre. Even the United States had two cavalry divisions. Riding was a big part of what horses and mules were used for when it comes to World War

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