Most people think the Second World War as being a mechanized war fought with tanks and

planes and ships. This is certainly true. It was a mechanized war. However, there's a part of the war which is often overlooked.

Aspects of ancient warfare which actually played a part in how the conflict was fought.

Learn more about horses in the Second World War.

Their surprising numbers and the important role that they played on this episode of

everything everywhere daily. If the subject of horses in World War II seems rather odd for an episode, it's only because

we don't think of the Second World War as a horse war. Before the 20th century, almost every

war involved horses to some degree.

Whether it was heavy cavalry, light cavalry, or draft animals carrying equipment,

horses were a major component of almost every major army for thousands of years.

With the advent of the 20th century, motorized vehicles took over the role which horses once held.

Trucks could carry more equipment further and faster.

Motor vehicles could also be armored

allowing for tanks and armored personnel carriers, something which was

practically impossible to do with a horse. Yes, vehicles need fuel, but then again

so did horses.

While a horse can graze on grass, if you want to get to where you're going quickly, you'll

need some sort of grain that supplies more energy than grass does.

When asked what the last war was where horses played a major

role, I'm guessing most people would probably say World War I. During the

first World War, motorized vehicles were just beginning to take hold, so

horses were definitely used during

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