Animals in Combat

by Allsopp, Nigel

• ISBN13: 9781742575131
• ISBN10: 1742575137
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2014-05-01
• Publisher: New Holland Publishers

Summary

Animals in Combat' explores a brief history of military animals throughout the ages, their different roles within this period, what animal warriors are used for today and what future animals have in modern warfare.Supported by many color images, the respective service each animals provides in times of war is beautifully covered by author Nigel Allsopp.During thousands of years of global wars animals have served alongside man, so what makes animals useful in war? A dog's qualities of loyalty, intelligence and devotion are highly valued in their role as pets, and these traits are also attractive to the armed forces.Equines such as horses, mules and donkeys, have literally carried man on their backs and all his military supplies to boot. They have carried ammunition, medical equipment and even our wounded.Pigeons performed messenger missions in World War I and II. Some 200,000 pigeons served the colors at this time and they suffered huge losses. Coalition forces in Iraq used pigeons too, as chemical warfare detectors.Today Military Working dogs are the predominate animal still used in combat, but marine mammals and equines still hold a position, with the latter having a resurgence in Afghanistan. Coalition Special Forces, including the US, British and Australian Special Air Services.

Author Biography

Nigel Allsopp born in the United Kingdom started his Military Career as a Military Working Dog Handler in the Royal New Zealand Air Force Police in 1980. Within his 15 years service he rose to the rank of DOGMASTER responsible for all aspects of Canine Operations and training within the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). During his service he was a Military Working Dog Handler, a specialist Narcotic detection dog handler and an Explosive detection handler at various times. He became the first Military Dog trainer to qualify as a NZ Civilian Police dog trainer and supervisor. Nigel has trained numerous Government Agencies such as Customs, Police, Corrective Service and Federal Aviation Security in the use of specialist dogs. Nigel has also trained and supplied specialist detection dogs and Military Working Dogs to South East Asian Countries on behalf of formal government requests whilst in the NZDF.