Proceedings of The 5th International Conference on Research in Behavioral and Social Science
Year: 2018
DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.33422/5icrbs.2018.12.88
ANIMALS IN THE ARMY. ON BANNERS AND IN COMBAT
Michal PRZYBYLAK
ABSTRACT:
Animals have accompanied humans since the beginning of civilization. Their domestication was a milestone in human history. Very soon, people realized their military utility. The use of horses and elephants was a breakthrough in the art of war. Tribes or states that used animals in the better way on the battlefields gained an advantage that was the key to victory. For thousands of years, the catalog of animals used on the battlefields has been constantly increasing: from horses, dogs, oxen, elephants through pigeons, bats, hawks, to sea animals and insects.Because of the advancement of technological advances, the role of animals in the armies has decreased. Nowadays Tanks and cars successfully replaced horses. Telephones and radio replaced pigeons. This is a half-real thesis. Still, almost all armies of the world use animals that actively participate in battles. In addition, this millenniums of cooperation between humans and animals has had a huge impact on military symbols. They have become one of the most important elements of creating the identity of individual units, the ideological bases of the army and building the self-esteem of soldiers.In my speech I want to focus on such issues as the military service of animals in modern times, shaping the military symbolism that emphasizes the role of animals and its impact on the morale of the troops. The main question that I want to answer is: what role do animals play in modern armed forces?
Keywords: history; ideology; military decorations; military symbols; warfare.