Andrew is killed by the gas attack while Albert survives, temporarily blinded. The Germans use Joey and Topthorn to haul artillery, under the care of Private Hengelmann. He cares for them as best as he can, but Topthorn succumbs to exhaustion and dies.

Does War Horse have a sad ending?

While War Horse is told through Joey's point of view, the film endeavours to never anthropomorphize the animal. The film rewards us, and the happy ending isn't overblown or ridiculous – Joey doesn't end the war – but it is deeply gratifying and satisfying.

How did warrior the War Horse die?

But it is also clear that General Seely was just as attached to Warrior and when Warrior went lame and Seely rode another horse, a shell hit him and the animal was killed.