Temperamental Transport

Assam and Burma own terrain which will not tolerate motor transport. Result: elephants have returned to the assistance of the Indian Army after a lapse of 40 years.

Elephants carry 500 Ib. loads over country too difficult even for mules. They cross this stiff country at the lordly rate of ten miles a day. They also help sappers build bridges. They can work about nine months in the year. The most famous elephant assisting the Indian Army is Bandula, named after a famous Burmese general. Bandula's mahout receives "danger pay" because the elephant has already killed two keepers.

Elephants hate war. The Burmese elephant is an especially sensitive beast who loathes mechanized transport of any kind. He refuses to go near trucks, and he trumpets, shies and runs away when he hears even a distant airplane motor.

The Indian Army husbands its elephants' health, as each is worth more than 5,000 rupees. Elephants are regularly given inoculation against anthrax. An elephant hypodermic is only slightly larger than the one familiar to troops, but because elephants dislike shiny steel, the veterinary must attack from the rear, with the syringe held out of sight.

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