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Why did Poland have a bear soldier?
But ask some Polish military veterans and they'd probably cite another creature: Wojtek the bear, a 500-to-600-pound brown bear that was essentially adopted by the 22nd Transport Company's Artillery Division in the Polish 2nd Corps, and served as a morale booster to the troops during World War II.
Was Wojtek abused?
Wojtek was an abused animal and a shameful part of the Polish soldiers history. The facts below will leave you in no doubt about this. The statues to Wojtek appear to honour the animal, the truth is it is shallow honouring where in fact a history of animal abuse occurred.
Who did Wojtek fight for?
Wojtek, whose mother is thought to have been shot by hunters, was bought by Polish soldiers while they were in Iran and eventually joined what would become the Polish II Corps' 22nd artillery supply company in 1942. He continued with them through Iraq and into Egypt.
What war did Wojtek fight?
Orphaned bear named Wojtek earned the rank of corporal for his actions during a battle in Italy. In early 1944, with World War II raging, the Polish II Corps was preparing to board ships in Egypt and head for Italy to continue the fight.
Did a bear actually fight in ww2?
During the Battle of Monte Cassino, in Italy in 1944, Wojtek helped move crates of ammunition and became a celebrity with visiting Allied generals and statesmen....Wojtek (bear)Wojtek the Soldier BearRankKapralUnit3522, 22nd Artillery Supply Company, II Corps (Poland)Battles/warsWorld War II Battle of Monte Cassino8 more rows
What does Wojtek mean in Polish?
Wojtek (and many others) Related names. Vojtěch, Vojtech, Woitke. The resulting combination means "he who enjoys war" or "joyous warrior".
Has anyone rode a bear into battle?
Bears appear a few times in the history of warfare, but one bear in particular became famous for his exploits against the Germans during World War II. Voytek was a Syrian brown bear cub adopted by troops from a Polish supply company who purchased him while they were stationed in Iran.
Can you tame a bear?
Bears can not be domesticated, they are wild animals, and though they can be trained to a certain level, they can't ever be entirely domesticated or tamed. The main reason bears cannot be domesticated is that they are solitary animals by nature.
How was Wojtek abused?
Born in Iran, Wojtek was sold to his Polish comrades for a few tins of food, who plied him with beer and cigarettes. All this would be child abuse if it wasn't for the fact that Wojtek wasn't a human at all, but a Syrian brown bear. (Which, if you think about it, still makes it animal abuse.)
How smart is a bear?
Considered by many wildlife biologists to be one of the most intelligent land animals of North America, bears possess the largest and most convoluted brains relative to their size of any land mammal. In the animal kingdom, their intelligence compares with that of higher primates.
How long can a grizzly bear live?
20 – 25 yearsGrizzly bear / Lifespan (In the wild)
How long do Syrian bears live?
20 – 30 yearsThese bears attain an average weight of about 250 kg (500 lb). They are solitary except for females with cubs. An omnivore, the bear's diet includes meat, fruit, grass and nuts. They can live 20 – 30 years in the wild.
How was Wojtek abused?
Born in Iran, Wojtek was sold to his Polish comrades for a few tins of food, who plied him with beer and cigarettes. All this would be child abuse if it wasn't for the fact that Wojtek wasn't a human at all, but a Syrian brown bear. (Which, if you think about it, still makes it animal abuse.)
Was Wojtek the bear friendly?
"He was very quiet, very peaceful." However, he did take a dislike to a monkey and another bear, who had also been adopted by troops. He says Wojtek helped keep up the troops' morale.
Is the Wojtek story true?
The cigarette smoking, beer drinking bear that helped fight the Nazis: Work begins on new animated film telling the remarkable true story of how Wojtek the bear fought alongside Polish soldiers during World War Two.
What rank is kapral?
The direct translation of Corporal to Polish, the rank of kapral is a lower grade in Polish Armed Forces, equivalent to OR-3 grades of other armies, such as Lance corporal or Private first class. The rank was introduced in the Polish Army in 1919.
What did Wojtek learn from the bear?
He learned how to break into the communal shower huts and turn on the shower on his own, which was a problem because the water was rationed and his ingeniousness would sometimes result in water shortages. The men even taught the bear how to pick up new recruits and hold them upside by the boots to make the rookies think they were getting eaten.
Why did the soldiers treat Wojtek like a baby?
Nursing the bear with a bottle of condensed milk in a vodka bottle, the soldiers treated Wojtek like a baby, perhaps because their own families had been torn apart by the war , she explains.
What is the meaning of the 22nd Artillery Support Company in the 2nd Polish Corps?
The insignia of the 22nd Artillery Support Company of the 2nd Polish Corps, meant to illustrate Wojtek the bear carrying an ammo shell at the Battle of Monte Cassino. Courtesy of Andy Szawlugo. The press corps had a field day with the image nonetheless, and the bear became a cult hero. The regiment changed its insignia to an image ...
Where was Wojtek the Bear discovered?
It was exactly 75 years ago this Saturday, on April 8, 1942, that the cub was discovered in the mountains of Iran, by a group of Polish prisoners of war who were being transported from a Siberian gulag through the Middle East to Alexandra, Egypt. From there, they were shipped off to Europe, most famously to fight in the 1944 Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy. “The Allies got together in 1942 and made a pact with Stalin in which they could release the Poles to join the Allies’ troops,” according to Aileen Orr, author of Wojtek the Bear: Polish War Hero.
What was the bear in the Polish army?
But ask some Polish military veterans and they’d probably cite another creature: Wojtek the bear, a 500-to-600-pound brown bear that was essentially adopted by the 22nd Transport Company’s Artillery Division in the Polish 2nd Corps, and served as a morale booster to the troops during World War II.
Who were the handlers of Wojtek?
His handlers were Henryk Zacharewicz and Dymitr Szawlugo, but they never any problems with him since he was very tame. When not being transported in his cage, Wojtek would sleep with the men in their tent. In January 1944, the 22 nd were to leave Egypt for Italy, but port authorities wouldn’t let a bear board the ship.
Why was Wojtek put in a zoo?
Wojtek proved himself invaluable during the Battle of Monte Cassino for his incredible strength, endurance, and bravery. At war’s end, however, he was put in a zoo. It all began in 1939 when Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union invaded and occupied Poland. Declaring Poland to be extinct, the Soviets imprisoned some 2 million Poles, ...
How tall was Wojtek?
His favorite sports were wrestling (though he never hurt anyone), boxing, and tug of war. Despite his unusual diet, he grew to be 6’ tall and weighed 485 pounds.
Where did Wojtek meet his new friend?
Wojtek meet the new friend – a dog. When they landed at Naples, Italy, British Courier Archibald Brown called out the soldier’s names, but Private Wojtek didn’t answer. When Brown asked where he was, the Poles claimed that the private only spoke Polish and Persian.
Where did the Polish II Corps stop for a rest?
On 8 April 1942, the Polish II Corps and their civilian charges were on their way to Teheran when they stopped for a rest outside the Iranian town of Hamadan. There they met an Iranian boy who found a bear cub that had been orphaned when hunters shot its mother.
Who was the Polish Corporal in WWII?
Polish Corporal Wojtek – The Non-Human WWII Hero. Wojtek the Bear. By Taras Young. During WWII, the Polish II Corps recruited a very unusual soldier named Wojtek who worked his way up to the rank of Corporal.
What was the Polish army called?
And thus was born Anders Army, also called the Polish Armed Forces. Their official name was the Polish II Corps and were made up of three infantry divisions (5 th, 6 th, and 7 th) who answered to the Polish government-in-exile in London.
What does Wojtek mean?
After three months entertaining refugees in the camp, the bear was donated to the 22nd Artillery Supply Company, whose soldiers named him Wojtek - meaning "Happy Warrior".
Who took in Wojtek?
Wojtek was just a cub then, and had been taken in by a local boy after the bear's parents were killed by hunters.
How many animators are there in Wojtek?
A Bear Named Wojtek will be hand-drawn and brought to life by a team of 30 animators - in a similar style to Christmas classic, The Snowman.
Where did Wojtek go after Hitler?
After Hitler had been defeated, Wojtek followed his unit to Scotland for demobilisation and retired to Edinburgh Zoo, where his comrades frequently visited him.
Did Wojtek sniff out spy?
On one occasion, Wojtek even sniffed out an enemy spy in an army camp, and his strength proved invaluable when hauling heavy supplies around the battlefield.
Which country marched through North Africa, bringing their furry companion along with them?
The Polish artillery company marched through North Africa, bringing their furry companion along with them.
Did Wojtek smoke cigarettes?
It sounds cruel now, but troops also taught the bear to smoke, and Wojtek used to enjoy eating any cigarettes the soldiers would donate to him .
What happened to Wojtek in 1943?
He would often wrestle with his fellow fighters, and even learned to salute when greeted by his company men. Wojtek’s fate with the company fell on uncertain times in 1943 when the unit prepared to board a ship and join the Allied campaign against Italy in Naples.
How big is Wojtek?
By the time the unit arrived in Italy, Wojtek had grown significantly from cub to a 6 ft tall, 485 lb. adult Syrian brown bear. Making good use of his size and strength, the company taught Wojtek how to carry crates of mortar rounds, which he reportedly did without fail during the bloody battle of Monte Cassino.
What did Wojtek the bear drink?
Growing up with soldiers, Wojtek adopted some rather curious habits. Indeed, reports say that the bear would drink milk from an old vodka bottle, imbibe beer and wine, and smoke (and eat) cigarettes with his army buddies, just as any soldier would.
What was the Polish 22 transport artillery company's mascot?
Wikimedia Commons Troops of the Polish 22 Transport Artillery Company watch as one of their comrades play wrestles with Wojtek their mascot bear during the Middle Eastern campaign of World War II, circa 1942-1943.
How old was Wojtek the bear when he died?
While 21-year-old Wojtek would die at the zoo on December 2, 1963, his memories of army life would stay with him for the rest of his days. Reports say that the bear would perk up when he heard visitors speak Polish. After this look at Wojtek the Bear, check out the story of military dolphins.
What was the cub's name in the Polish army?
The cub became a part of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company, and soon received its own Polish name, Wojtek (pronounce d voy-tek), which translates to “joyous soldier.”.
Where did Wojtek retire?
Unlike his fellow veterans, Wojtek retired to the Edinburgh Zoo.
Where did Wojtek hang out?
While he was still small enough, Wojtek would hang out of the passenger side of trucks, until he eventually grew so large he had to be transported in the back of cargo vehicles. Photo: imgur coveredinksauce. By 1943, the Polish company had reached Egypt and was preparing to reenter the war zone in Italy.
What rank did Wojtek get?
Wojtek first came to the company as a cub, but over the course of the war he matured and was given the rank of corporal in the Polish army.
Why did Wojtek carry crates of munitions?
Because of his fearsome size and strength, Wojtek carried crates of munitions much easier than his human comrades. He inspired the emblem for his company. Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Imperial War Museum. After the war, Wojtek spent his days in the Edinburgh zoo, where he was a beloved attraction.
What did Clara Barton do during the Civil War?
She was on the scene ministering to those most in need, taking care of the wounded, dead, and dying.
What is the Tajik army?
The Tajik Army is a mess. Unlike other Soviet states after the fall of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan had no native units to absorb into its new independent government. The Tajik military was not built around old Soviet units. The Tajiks were left defenseless with only a Russian peacekeeping force. In 1994, they formed their own Army, which immediately resulted in a Civil War. Just what one might expect from a country whose capital is named “Monday.” Tajiks prefer the Russian Army because the pay is better. Those who are drafted are often kidnapped and then sometimes hazed to death.
Who was Susie King Taylor?
Born a slave in Georgia in 1848, Susie Baker , who later became known as Susie King Taylor, gained her freedom in April 1862. Baker was initially appointed laundress of the 33rd U.S. Colored Troops, re-organized from the 1st South Carolina Volunteers. Due to her nursing skills and her ability to read and write, her responsibilities with the regiment began to multiply. More than a few African-American women may have provided service as the Union Army began forming regiments of all black men. After the war, Taylor helped to organize a branch of the Women’s Relief Corps.
Where did Wojtek come from?
Wojtek’s story began by chance in Persia, now Iran, in 1942, where the Polish Second Corps, a group of soldiers released from Soviet slave camps in Serbia, were making the arduous journey to join comrades fighting in Egypt and Italy.
When was Wojtek revived?
Interest in Wojtek was revived in 2007 following the Evening News retelling his story.
What happened to Wojtek?
Wojtek’s health failed and he withdrew into his compound, rarely venturing out and reacting only to the sound of a Polis h voice.
What does Voychek mean?
His name – sometimes written as Voytek or Voychek – means “smiling warrior”. He was a Syrian brown bear with vicious claws, teeth like razors and the strength of several men.
What company did Wojtek join?
In a true testament to the quote “leave no man behind,” Wojtek was enlisted into the 22nd Artillery Transport Company of the Polish Second Corps, and given the rank of private so that his travel could be verified.
Who was Wojtek's handler?
Initially, Wojtek was spooked by the sound of battle and would stay close to his handler, Lance Corporal Peter Prendys. Over time, however, Wojtek adapted and would climb trees to observe enemy lines. Most notably, Wojtek accompanied the troops to the Battle of Monte Cassino where he carried crates of ammunition.
Why was Wojtek not allowed into theatres of operation?
Due to the fact that Wojtek was an animal, he was not allowed into theatres of operation, much to the dismay of the soldiers who raised him. They knew that they couldn’t just give up on him; he had promptly become their boost of morale and their mascot.
What is the significance of Mis Wojtek?
Wojtek symbolised the Poles’ own experience during the war by being exiled from his homeland and travelling through numerous countries before having to settle in a foreign land. 3 He became a symbol of unity between Scottish and Polish communities and after his death, he was memorialised in many ways; there have been numerous books and documentaries about Wojtek’s unique life. In 2018, a board game was created in which players could join the brown bear on his travels alongside the Polish Second Corps. Designed by Ola and Magda Gasiorek – students at the 57 th Elementary School in Gdansk – Mis Wojtek can be played by up to five players. Numerous memorials commemorating this extraordinary and loyal bear were erected worldwide. Most notably, in 2014, a life-size bronze sculpture was erected in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Garden, just in time for the 70 th anniversary of Monte Cassino.
Where did Wojtek live?
And here is the beginning of the story of Poland’s most infamous bear. Over the next three months, Wojtek lived with the soldiers in the Polish refugee camp that was located near Tehran. When Wojtek was first adopted by the soldiers, it was discovered that he had issues swallowing his food.
Where was Wojtek stationed?
On one occasion – while stationed in an Allied forces camp in Iraq alongside women soldiers – Wojtek wandered off from the rest of the soldiers. When they found him, he had pulled all of the women’s underwear from the clothes line. “He had a heart of a human and was very gentle.
Who made the Wojtek memorial?
It was sculpted by Alan Beattie Heriot and paid for by The Wojtek Memorial Trust charity which was set up to raise awareness of his story among younger people in Scotland. The memorial stands as a permanent memorial to the soldiers who rescued Wojtek and their ever-lasting connection with Scotland. 5. 1 vote.
Where did Wojtek come from?
Wojtek’s story has its beginning in 1942, when in the mountains of Hamadan in Iran , a tiny bear was found by a local boy. Shortly afterward, on the way to Kandawaru he met a squad of Polish soldiers from General Władysław Anders’ famous II Corps. The Poles helped the poor and hungry child by buying from him a mysterious package in exchange for some canned food. When soldiers saw the content of the squeaking bundle, they became very surprised, but quickly decided to adopt the teddy bear. Corporal Piotr Prendyn decided to call him by the name “Wojtek”.
Why did Wojtek grow up?
When Wojtek grew up so that the soldiers could no longer feed him with their rations (and because the British did not allow animals to stay on their warships), they enlisted the bear with the rank of private.
