Describes how animals such as elephants, dogs, pigeons, horses, and dolphins have been used in war to carry people, supplies, and messages, and discusses how today they search both land and sea for mines, bombs, and weapons. Also examines how they are trained, and what traits make them good helpers. Includes personal stories, dozens of color photographs throughout, sidebars, a glossary, and further resources.

Comrades in war : Judy and Frank -- Armored tanks of the ancient world : elephants -- Loyal and true : horses -- Beasts of burden : mules and camels -- Feathered heroes : pigeons -- Man's best friend : dogs -- Lucky charms and atomic pigs -- Animals in the twenty-first century.