Wojtek the Bear: A Unique Veteran
History of Wojtek the bear during World War 2
Found in the Iranian mountains by a boy and purchased by soldiers after the mother was killed by hunters. Military units having pets, wasn’t a new revelation but what was surprising was what kind of animal this new pet was. Wojtek was a Syrian brown bear adopted by the 2nd Polish Corps during the Second World War, he would become world famous for his actions and exploits. While this may seem like an April Fool’s joke, this story is 100 percent real. The name Wojtek that the unit had given him derives from the Polish nickname for “Wojciech” which means happy warrior. Unable to eat solid food, A soldier named Peter Prendy Wojtek’s caretaker feed the cub with condensed milk placed in an old vodka bottle. Wojtek accompanied the soldiers during their movements to Syria, Palestine, and Egypt; the bear became the unofficial mascot of the military unit. He wrestled with his comrades, ate cigarettes, and marched in parade on his hind legs.
The unit would be called to serve on the Italian Theater of war in 1944, specifically in the Battle of Monte Cassino. This posed a problem; no pets were allowed to go abroad to the boats being used for transportation to Italy. The solution was obvious, Wojtek official enlisted into the 2nd Polish Corps as a private. Traveling with the 22nd Artillery Supply Company, his personal unit since Syria; Wojtek was given his own paybook, rank, rations and serial number before being deployed to Southern Italy. He became even more emersed in the military environment saluting superiors, drinking beer, sleeping with his fellow soldiers to warm them on cold nights. While being a part of the unit for morale support, Wojtek took it to another level during the Battle of Monte Cassino. Watching the men of the company moving ammunition from their trucks to the artillery pieces being used, Wojtek decided mimic the soldiers and picked up the 100-pound crates. This feat would usually take 4 men to carry but Wojtek allegedly by himself carried them to help supply the guns. His heroism during the battle earned him a promotion to corporal. In recognition of his bravery the 22nd Artillery Supply Company adopted an emblem of a bear carrying an artillery shell.
Having proved himself to be a useful part of the unit, the bear continued his antics, including scaring swimmers in the Adriatic Sea and stalking horses and donkeys. However, because he had been raised by humans, Wojtek did not really present a threat to people. Following his service and the demobilization of the 2nd Polish Corps, Wojtek spent the rest of his life in Scotland at the Edinburgh Zoo. Journalists and veterans came to visit him, throwing cigarettes for him to eat just like his wartime trick. Even into his later years he was able to understand Polish commands and recognized members of his old unit. He would remain a popular attraction at the zoo until his passing at 21 on December 2nd, 1963. While many of his actions are debated by historians, many of the veterans that served with him during the war claimed he was as important as any soldier to the war effort. Statues and monuments were erected in the bear’s honor in Krakow, Edinburgh, and Cassino itself.