Looking Back at World War II
During the last century, World Wars I and II had a profound impact on the U.S. horse and mule industry. Because Western Horseman was not started until 1936, we do not have any specifics of the role that horses and mules played in WWI. However, it is a known fact that thousands of horses and mules were shipped overseas for use as riding, pack, and draft animals in that war.
Moving on to WWII, our bound volumes for those years are a virtual archive of how the war affected horse owners, farmers, ranchers, manufacturers of horse-related equipment of all kinds, and the general population.
To the younger generations today, WWII is something they can relate to only through old movies they have seen, or read about in history books, or heard about in stories from their parents or grandparents. They have no idea of the impact the war had on the entire nation, not just the horse industry.
So as we approach the millennium, we thought it would make interesting reading to feature excerpts from some Western Horseman articles during the war years.
At that time, the magazine was published bimonthly, first in Lafayette, Calif., by Paul Albert, who founded the magazine. Then, beginning with the Sept.-Oct. 1943 issue, the magazine was published Reno, Nev., after Albert’s widow sold the magazine to John Ben Snow of Seidel Newspapers Inc.
Although a few modern historians have tried to “revise” history by making out the United States to have been the bad guy in WWII, we became involved in the Europeans theatre to help our allies fight the German Army which was trying to conquer most of Europe. And the Japanese started the war in the Pacific by bombing Pearl Harbor, their first step toward invading the U.S. mainland.
Initially, there was a lot of hysteria, and patriotism blazed to heights that may never be seen again. Young men, even teenagers, could not wait to be drafted; they enlisted instead, sometimes fibbing about their ages. Because so many men were in the armed forces, women began working in plants building ships and airplanes, a big factor in changing women’s traditional roles as only wives and mothers.
Life changed for almost everyone. Here’s a look back at those years through selected items from our back pages.
The U.S. Remount Plan(Sept.-Oct. 1941)
At that time there was much discussion, pro and con, regarding whether the cavalry should become more mechanized.
The caterpillar tread and the airplane are the greatest new developments (since WWI), and the brunt of mobile warfare appears to have fallen on them at present during the summer months of fighting. If the war in Russia continues into the winter months, it remains to be seen what forms transportation of weapons will assume.
Since the Army took over the former Kellogg Arabian Horse Ranch at Pomona, Calif., and designed it as the Pomona Quartermaster Depot (Remount), a military touch has been added to the place. Here a young Arabian colt is practicing his sitting-up exercises. (From the March-April 1944 issue.)
If the German army is the model of perfection current writers represent it to be, a slight investigation into the transport supplied their forces should disclose what to expect. Suffice it to say then that the Germans use 791,000 horses in reserve; behind the tanks and infantry and truck units, these horses await their turn to take up the offensive. Or would it be better to guess they are there for defensive purposes? No one can answer this yet, for we have not seen the German army on the defensive.
One fact is clear. The Germans have not discarded the horse. At this moment (during the present conflict in central Europe), his use is obscure to us, but we can rest assured that the Germans have a definite use mapped out for him or 791,000 horses would be doing something else besides following tanks and trucks all over Europe.
In spite of the ballyhoo put out by columnists ridiculing horses and the antiquated methods of our Army men who still insist on buying and in training men to use them, we must remember wars are fought until the bitter end, and no means to victory is too old or new or despised if it only works. Results are what count. The side lacking the transport, whatever it is — tractor, truck, airplane, or horse — is the side that loses.
Horses and the War(Jan.-Feb. 1942)
The call for a registration of all horses by the Western Remount Area at San Mateo (Calif.) will be met with enthusiasm by horsemen who have striven for years to convince the public the day of the horse for defensive purposes is not done. In the defense of our own coasts here in California, Oregon, and Washington, our horses may be as valuable as those of the Russians during the past few weeks.
This ad appeared in the Nov.-Dec. 1944 issue of WH, and featured the new M-5 type gas mask for cavalry horses. The ad copy explains why North & Judd could make very few bits, spurs, and items of saddlery hardware during the war.
Patrolling the Beaches
(From an editorial, Sept.-Oct, 1942)
The announcement by the U.S. Coast Guard calling for volunteer horsemen to act as mounted guards along the Atlantic coasts and beaches is a forward step toward adequate defense of the country. No doubt the Coast Guard’s decision was based on the recent saboteur scare, when eight Nazi spies landed in Florida and New York.
It is said the call is being met with enthusiasm by eastern horsemen who have long been awaiting a chance to put themselves and their horses to work at some job contributing to national defense.
Western horsemen, along the Pacific Coast in California, Oregon, and Washington, have for months been organizing community horsemen with the more or less hazy idea which has now crystalized into action of the Coast Guard along the Atlantic.
Probably because the foe in the Pacific is easily recognizable as being of another race, the danger of landings has been minimized. Yet a Japanese submarine was able to send some 30 shells into the oil fields at Goleta without being fired upon in return. No doubt, a submarine could not lay odd Goleta NOW in broad daylight and get away with it again.
In the three Pacific states local mounted groups exist now, keeping watch for any suspicious actions on the beaches and under the cliffs, but these do not constitute a continuous patrol and there are long gaps between organizations.
The idea of a continuous patrol under competent leadership is not far-fetched. The action of the Coast Guard on the Atlantic has proven that conclusively. If it’s successful, we can expect to see similar steps taken on the Pacific shorelines.
U.S. Coast Guardsmen, members of the service’s mounted beach patrol, ford and inlet in the course of their patrol on the West Coast. (From the Jan.-Feb. 1944 issue)
Even Dogs Went to War
(Nov.-Dec. 1942)
Establishment of two new training centers for army dogs and their soldier handlers was announced by the War Department, as members of the first class to be graduated from the training course at the Front Royal (Va.) Quartermaster Remount Depot were assigned to duty. The new training centers (at Fort Robinson, Neb., and San Mateo, Calif.) will greatly increase the number of dog sentries for use at Army, Navy, and Coast Guard installations.
Graduating from that first class were 384 dogs, 38 soldiers, and 10 sailors. Close to 500 dogs and 200 men are now attending the second course at Front Royal, Dogs for Defense in New York City will continue to act as the Army’s procurement agency for the new training centers.
Breed Those Mares(Editorial, March-April 1942)
It is the patriotic duty of mare owners, especially those with mares above the age of 10, to get their mares to producing again. Of course, foals conceived this breeding season will not reach a usable age during the war. Or had we better say, we hope they will not. The problem is to prevent a shortage of colts after the war is over.
This nation has no immediate prospects of disarming even if the war should end tomorrow. It will be necessary for us to produce arms, equipment, and horses to replace those lost during the war. Since horse production is slow, it must be planned for.
This is not only our own opinion, but that of army officers in close touch with cavalry and transportation units. We doubt it figures will be available during the war on army buying (of horses). Such information is now regarded as of military value.
The Rubber Shortage(“What Will the War Do to Horses?,” March-April 1942)
The leading factor in this reawakening of interest (in the horse market) is the rubber shortage. Many authorities predict the horse will have to assume him old position of importance in transportation fields, particularly for short hauls in cities and on ranches.
The fact remains: Tire rationing of a stringent nature is here, and it is here now. That puts us right up against the next best substitute for private transportation, and if you can figure out anything but horses to fill the gap, you are sure some figurer.
Of course, if you live in a city, you can maybe get a bicycle as long as they make tires for them, or if you live on a river, you can get a rowboat. If you live anywhere else, you can always walk, especially if you don’t own a horse. If you do own a horse, you can drive or ride him, but if you have no buggy or wagon, you can’t buy one, so you will have to ride the horse. All of which points out riding horses will be valuable if and when present stocks of tires are exhausted.
Van Vleet Arabians, one of the leading Arabian breeders years ago, did their part for the war effort by urging horsemen to buy Van Vleet stud colts and raise Remount horses. This ad appeared in WH, Nov.-Dec. 1942.
No Roads and Rice Paddies = Horses
(Editorial, May-June 1942)
Japanese forces utilize many horses even in their inter-island form of warfare. Reports of Japanese cavalry landed in the Philippines was quite a surprise to motor-minded strategists. Cavalry is also invading Burma and has been used extensively in China for the past five years. The reason: lack of roads and rice paddies. Reports also indicate cavalry has been landed in Sumatra and Java for mopping-up operations.
The remarkable advance of the Chinese army from southern China to Burma was accomplished by Chinese cavalry units. They marched over 1,000 miles to contact the Japs in that invaded land. In spite of these activities it is doubtful if American cavalrymen will see action across the Pacific in large numbers.
Dollar Polo Ponies(“Army Gets Polo Ponies for West Point,” May-June 1942)
The War Production Board, with its dollar-a-year-men, has nothing on the Army, which has its dollar polo ponies. That is the token price recently paid by the Quartermaster Corps for 12 top ponies. They are being assembled at the Fort Reno Remount Depot in Oklahoma where they will be put into condition and then shipped to West Point, N.Y., to be used by the U.S. Military Academy polo team, according to the War Department.
Five of the polo ponies were offered to the Remount Division by Col. Darryl Zanuck, head of 20th Century-Fox Motion Picture Studio, and now on active duty in the Army. Until recently these ponies were played by Aidan Roark.
Horses Are Slow and Inconvenient, But …(Editorial, Nov.-Dec. 1942)
On the eve of national gas rationing, it is time horsemen took some stock of themselves and their horses. On every hand we hear it said that the country cannot return to the horse-and-buggy days, that our whole system of economy is erected on a plan of rapid transportation, that to return to the horse would cripple our industries and retard the war effort.
All this is very true.
We will agree that horses are slow and inconvenient transportation for most business purposes. We also agree that the nation at large is hesitant to see their value as long as one automobile remains on its ragged tires. We can hardly blame the various business concerns for pushing the horse idea out of the way in favor of any makeshift or nebulous solution to the problem.
The fact remains: The problem is at hand. Either our 14 million horses will be pressed into private use or there will be no form of transportation unregulated by the government or not controlled for the war effort. Otherwise most private citizens can retrograde to the Stone Age and walk, which we will all agree would be a far worse breakdown than returning to the horse.
(Editor’s note: Because of gas and tire rationing, and the shortage of men to compete, many major rodeos and horse shows were not held during the war. But some small shows, rodeos, gymkhanas, and trail rides that drew from the local population continued.)
Women in Defense(“The Military Order of Guards,” May-June 1943)
The Military Order of Guards was formed in January of 1942, starting with 20 members who thoroughly approved of the idea to organize and train a group of horsewomen to be used in the defense of the Chicago, Ill., metropolitan area in case wartime conditions ever reach this community.
These young women have received training under the supervision of competent cavalry officers in horsemanship, foot drill, rifle and pistol practice, manual of arms, Jiu Jitsu, first-aid, horse anatomy …
Today, membership exceeds 3,000 troopers, every one an enthusiastic horsewoman ready to donate her time and knowledge to the defense of Chicagoans and their families. New troopers are welcome, and a knowledge of horseback riding is not a requirement to join because we specialize our equitation classes for beginners.
This is a civic organization created by an Act of Congress in 1922.
For Want of a Nail, Will the War Be Lost?(“Special Memo” written in 1942 by Wayne Dinsmore of the Horse and Mule Association of America, headquartered in Chicago, published in the Jan.-Feb. 1943 issue)
Existing supplies of horseshoes and horseshoe nails are expected to be used up before Nov. 1, 1942. Some steel should be allocated to take care of the shortage, but in view of the positive statements of the War Production Board that no increase in steel would be considered until farmers write in to the Board that they have workable animals they are unable to work because they cannot get horseshoes or horseshoe nails to shoe them, it is probably futile to expect any relief till that happens.
When it does happen, the War Production Board will think all hell has broken loose, for farmers who are unable to harvest crops or haul them to town because their horses are lame, will express themselves more forcibly than I can ever hope to do.
The amount needed for a year — about 17,500 tons of steel for horseshoes and nails and approximately 7,500 tons for saddlery hardware, or about 25,000 tons in all — is less than one percent of the steel we will produce in 1942. It will take less iron and steel to keep 12 million horses and mules at work, than to make 15,000 tractors.
Bay Meadows racetrack in California let readers know in this Nov.-Dec. 1943 ad that it was the first track to raise over a half-million dollars for war relief.
Travel Is Curtailed
(Editorial, March-April 1943)
Rubber shortage and gas rationing has curtailed travel and will continue to become a greater problem as the months go by. The Army has recently talked about requisitioning 7,000,000 passenger cars to replenish stocks of rubber and prevent wasteful usage of all materials involved.
The industrial areas of war industry will probably have first call upon rubber or mechanical transportation. Where does this leave the rural or food-production areas? Transportation will undoubtedly require the assistance of thousands of horses; horses of all breeds that can be put to essential use.
Army Horse Breeding Program(July-Aug. 1943)
The Army horse breeding program conducted by the Remount Branch of the Quartermaster Corps produced more than 12,000 foals during the calendar year 1942, the War Department announced recently.
The 660 stallions standing in 41 states and in Hawaii and Puerto Rico under the supervision of the Quartermaster Corps were bred to 18,807 mares. The resulting production of 12,074 foals represent a material increase over the foal production in 1941.
Since the inauguration of the Army Horse Breeding Plan in 1921, a total of 314,224 mares have been bred to Remount stallions and 185,511 foals have been produced. For the first time in America, there is now a reasonable reserve of suitable horses waiting and ready to be tapped for war purposes.
Another ad from North & Judd in the March-April 1944 issue explaining why there was a shortage of steel riding equipment.
Renew Early
(Jan.-Feb. 1944)
Magazines, along with all other publications, are subject to paper restrictions. Because of this it is necessary to determine the number of copies of Western Horseman for each issue when the magazine goes to press. Surplus copies cannot be printed, so we ask that when you receive a notice of expiration of subscription, you send your renewal as soon as possible … so you don’t miss a single issue.
Editorial(July-Aug. 1944)
Horsemen know, and they have always known, that mechanized units like jeeps, tanks, and planes can’t completely supplant pack transport and horse cavalry in modern warfare.
Unfortunately, some of our military strategies who cried “Mechanized units are the answer!” after the fall of France have been slow to concede that there is still a place for the horse and pack mule in man’s wars. It now appears that the same lack of pack transport and horse cavalry that admittedly showed up the Allied Forces drives in Tunisia and Sicily was a feature of the early phases of the Italian campaign.
At the conclusion of the Sicilian campaign, Lt. Gen. George S. Patton, commanding the Seventh Army, made some significant comments on the need for pack transport and horse cavalry in mountainous terrain.
Editorial(May-June 1944)
A number of horse shows and rodeos, which were cancelled last year, are being resumed this season. The Texas Cowboy Reunion, for example, is being held in Stamford after a one-year lapse. And the American Quarter Horse Association will hold its fourth official show in conjunction with the Reunion.
The Pendleton Round-Up, cancelled the last two years, will be revived in September. The Santa Barbara (Calif.) Horse Show is being resumed in July, and Tevis Payne of Sacramento, secretary of the Western Fairs Association, predicted early in February that about 10 percent of the 63 pre-war county and district fairs in California would be resumed this year.
Similar reports of revivals of events featuring horses have come from all parts of the country.
This revival of horse shows and rodeos is due, in part, to the increased interest in light horses. This interest has been reflected in the organization of new riding groups and in the continued growth of older groups that were well established before the war.
The need and desire for healthful recreation has brought new riders to take the place of those who have left for the armed services. Their objective is well described in the words of the secretary of the Clements (Calif.) Buckaroos: “We … use little gasoline, very little money, and help keep up the morale of our little community!”
This article was originally published in the December 1999 issue of Western Horseman.
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