The Animals’ War is a major new exhibition exploring the remarkable role of animals in conflict from the First World War to the present day.

Visitors can find out about cavalry horses; mules, elephants, camels, horses and other creatures that have transported soldiers and equipment, often in difficult terrain; the pigeons and dogs who have carried messages; the dogs that have guarded military personnel and property, located injured soldiers, tracked the enemy and sniffed-out explosives and the animals adopted as official and unofficial mascots and pets by the armed forces.

The Animals’ War uses photographs, film, sculptures, memorabilia and interactive features to explore the intriguing and often surprising stories of animals in war. Among them are Rob, the SAS dog who made over twenty parachute drops during the Second World War; Roselle, the labrador who led her owner to safety from the 78th floor of the World Trade Center after it was attacked on 11 September 2001; Rin Tin Tin, who was found as a puppy on the Western Front and went on to become a Hollywood legend; Voytek, the bear mascot of the 22nd Transport Company of the Polish Army Service Corps who saw action at Monte Cassino in 1944; and Simon of HMS Amethyst, the only cat to have been awarded the ‘animals’ Victoria Cross,’ the PDSA Dickin Medal.

All images Imperial War Museum Collection, with the exception of image top middle which is courtesy of the Trustees of the Royal Air Force Museum.