IWM holds approximately 11 million photographs in its archives, covering the causes, course and consequences of modern conflict from the First World War to the present day. This selection of images from IWM’s vast collection illustrates the many and varied ways that animals have played their part in wartime over the past century. Vital in moving supplies, sending messages and in many cases for the morale boost they gave, animals have often been subject to the same dangers faced by their owners during conflict. This selection of images therefore depicts both incredible animal bravery, and some of the more heart-warming stories found within IWM’s photograph archive – including the use of animals as mascots to distract people from the grim realities of war.