No that is not true. A voltmeter in series with the battery and load will simply read battery voltage. The meter will not be hurt, but neither, will it pass enough current to operate any of the loads
I assumed it would try to send as much current as possible through the wires that move the d'arsonval mechanism. Hope I got that right - thinkin tired here.
edit: yes. of course you're right. Otherwise it would short to ground any time a measurement was made. original post corrected. Thanks!