Ƶ a fan of history, I listened to a January podcast ƵThe Rest Is HistoryƵ by Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook. Few stories in military history are as extraordinary as that of Wojtek, the Syrian brown bear who became an official soldier in the Polish Army during World War II.
In the spring of 1942, amid World War II, a young Syrian brown bear cub was orphaned in the mountains of Iran, its mother having been killed by hunters. Fate intervened when a Polish soldier purchased the cub from a local boy when Polish troops were in Iran.
The soldiers named him Wojtek, a traditional Polish name meaning ƵHappy Warrior,Ƶ which would prove prophetic. Initially struggling to survive, Wojtek was nurtured back to health with condensed milk and soon developed a taste for human pleasures: cold beer, lit cigarettes (which he ate), and hot coffee.
He became more than just a mascot; he was a true companion to the soldiers of the 2nd Polish Corps.
Wojtek watched the troops march and mimicked them, standing on his hind legs. He also slept with the other soldiers if they were cold at night. He enjoyed wrestling with the soldiers and learned to salute when greeted.
Polish troops were deployed to the Middle East and later to Italy where they fought with the Allies. Ƶ the Polish troops moved, Wojtek grew both in size and reputation.
The female troops had acquired precious underwear in Tehran. Wojtek stole their underwear and his trainer had to give it back. Additionally, he liked showers so whenever he could, he would sneak into showers with soldiers to get extra bathing.
By the time of the pivotal Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy, Wojtek had become an important part of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company. To circumvent regulations that prohibited animals on British transport ships, Wojtek was officially enlisted as a soldier, complete with his own paybook, rank and serial number.
During the battle, Wojtek became a legend. He was observed carrying artillery shells, mimicking the soldiers around him. Each 100-pound crate that would typically require four men to move, Wojtek carried with apparent ease. He rose from the rank of private to corporal.
After the war, Wojtek was transported to Scotland, where he was retired and eventually given a home at Edinburgh Zoo. Despite his new surroundings, he remained connected to his military family. He would respond to commands in Polish and was often visited by his former comrades, who would playfully toss him cigarettes, reminiscent of his wartime habits.
WojtekƵs story has been commemorated through numerous memorials across Europe. Statues of Wojtek stand in Poland, Scotland and Italy as testaments to his place in military history. His tale has inspired books, plays, and even an animated short film nominated for multiple awards.
Corporal Wojtek died in 1963 at age 21, leaving behind a legacy that continues to touch hearts around the world. He was buried in Scotland near the home of podcaster-historian Tom Holland, who mentioned his special connection to Wojtek.
Grant McGuire is a Huntington resident. His email address is grant11955@gmail.com.
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