Exhibition: They had no choice – The role and function of animals during the Second World War

Serious Topics

Despite the increasing modernization of technology and equipment, animals remained indispensable during the Second World War. They were relied upon when logistics, transport and communication routes were lacking, or when their sense of smell and hearing proved more reliable than those of humans. At the same time, they provided essential emotional support for many soldiers from all sides and for civilians during a period marked by violence and trauma. In addition, the Nazis used animals in a targeted manner for propaganda purposes and trained dogs to turn them into “ferocious beasts” to guard concentration camps and terrorize prisoners. The lecture highlights the multiple roles played by animals during the Second World War and examines how their contribution was recognized during and after the war.