14 Amazing Photos of Camels used in War

Sep 17, 2021

Animals were a big part of assisting their handlers in wartimes. Some were used for practical reasons others were mascots to raise morale and or companionship to help assist with the hardship of the times.

The Imperial Camel Corps, first raised in 1916, was a camel-mounted infantry force operating in the Middle Eastern and African deserts. The Corps played an integral role in several First World War desert campaigns, including Palestine and Sinai.

The Corps had a small start, with the first companies consisting of Australian troops returning from the Gallipoli campaign. Over time, though, it grew to four battalions and was made up of Australian, New Zealand and British troops. Additional soldiers from the Hong Kong and Singapore Mountain Battery were also attached to the Corps.

Watch the video and read below the full descriptions of all the pictures featured.

Here are 12 Amazing Photos of Camels used in War with their Cameleers as part of the Australian Camel Corps.

1. An International Lineup

Mounted troops from the Australian, British, New Zealand and Indian battalions of the Imperial Camel Corps.

2. Preparing to Mount

Australian cameleer members of the Imperial Camel Corps near Jaffa, Palestine, prepare to mount.

3. Camel Caravan Through Wadi Arba

The camel caravan of the Imperial Camel Corps dropping into Wadi Arba from the east while en route to join T E Lawrence in late summer 1918.

4. In Palestine

Men of an Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) battalion of the Imperial Camel Corps Brigade at Ludd, 1918.

5. Feed Time

Lieutenant Geoffrey Inchbald of No.8 Company, Imperial Camel Corps, in the Western Desert with his sitting camels.

6. Rest Time

The lines of the Imperial Camel Corps shaded by trees near Beersheba.

7. Camels at Beersheba

The Imperial Camel Corps Brigade outside Beersheba, 1 November 1917.

8. Playtime

Men of the Imperial Camel Corps washing their camels at the mouth of Wadi El Arish, February 1917.

9. Teamwork

Camel lines of the Imperial Camel Corps at El Arish.

10. Proud Lineup

Proud line up of newly washed camels, ready to be saddled in camp at Abassia before the long rides of July 1918 onwards.

11. Camel Ambulance

Camels carrying wounded men to safety on the North West Frontier of India, 1917.

12. Restored Photo

Sinai 1916. Sgt Frederick Mercier - Imperial Camel Corps - 1st Camel Battalion [1st Company]. The original of this photo was badly damaged by the 125 degree heat of the Dead Sea/Jordan Valley - digital restoration took 3months! (Donor J. Van Luyn)

13. Camel Corps Training