70th WWII end anniversary. “THE LOADED MULE AT MONTECASSINO” 1944

Here’s a sample of the terrain over which British and American forces of the Fifth army are fighting in Italy, Jan. 15, 1944. A mule pack train, its load delivered to the men at the front, winds its way down a steep trail homeward bound for another load. (AP Photo)

Mules were found to have tremendous stamina in extreme climates and over the most difficult terrain, serving courageously in the freezing mud on the Western Front and later at Monte Cassino in World War II. Equally they toiled unflinchingly in the oppressive heat of Burma, Eritrea and Tunisia. There are many inspiring and often tragic stories of the great devotion and loyalty shown between horses, mules and donkeys and their masters during some of the bloodiest conflicts of the 20th century,

Millions of horses and donkeys died as a result of being pressed into service to transport food, supplies, artillery and anything else they could be made to pull or carry. When food was scarce they were slaughtered to feed the troops.

Felted sculpture, tribute for the millions of animals death at WWI and WWII.