Germany’s Dependence on Horses During the War

During World War II, the image of a fully motorized and highly mechanized German army became ingrained in the popular imagination, fueled by Nazi propaganda and early blitzkrieg reports. However, this perception hides a much more complex and, at times, desperate reality. In truth, the German Wehrmacht both started and ended the war heavily reliant on horses and mules for their logistical operations, a reality often overlooked in broader historical accounts.

When Germany invaded Poland in 1939, over 500,000 horses were in service with the German army. Throughout the war, this number increased significantly, with approximately 2.65 million horses and mules employed by the German army. The dependence on these animals was so great that, on average, around 1.1 million horses were in use each year. By the end of the war, an estimated 1.55 million horses and mules had died in service, victims of both combat and the harsh conditions imposed by the war.

Despite all the emphasis placed on mechanization, about 90% of the German infantry was not motorized and did not have dedicated vehicles. Most of the German artillery was, in fact, horse-drawn. The rapid expansion of the German army far exceeded the capacity to produce vehicles, resulting in a land force that, despite capturing thousands of vehicles across Western Europe, was never able to completely replace horses.

This reality became particularly evident during the invasion of the Soviet Union, Operation Barbarossa, in June 1941. With more than 3.8 million German soldiers advancing up to 3,000 km into Soviet territory, the lack of transport vehicles became disastrous. In this context, horses became indispensable, especially during the harsh winter when vehicle engines froze and snow hampered movement. In the spring, dirt roads turned into thick mud, further exacerbating logistical challenges.

German soldiers who served on the Eastern Front quickly learned to value these animals. As a Wehrmacht veteran said, “Without our horses, we would be lost in the vastness of Russia.” These animals, though slow, could operate in virtually any weather condition and terrain, becoming true pillars of German military logistics. However, this dependence also came at a cost. In December 1941 and January 1942, the Germans lost

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