A Look At How Animals Have Been Used By The Military Throughout History

An elephant mounted machine gun in 1914. U.S. Army Archives

Business Insider: 9 unbelievable instances of animals in the military

Until the introduction of modern machinery, animals have played an often-decisive role in warfare.

For instance, the Mongol's masterful use of horses allowed Genghis Khan and his generals to carve out the largest land empire ever known.

In the book Beasts of War: The Militarization of Animals, author Jared Eglan curated amazing insights into how militaries have used a stunning menagerie of animals in combat.

WNU Editor: Here is a new one .... The Cheetahs of the South African Air Force (The Atlantic)