Wojtek the Bear: The Polish Army Soldier Who Carried Artillery at Monte Cassino

In April 1943, Polish soldiers bought a bear cub from a boy in the mountains of Iran. He cost a few tins of canned beef. They named him Wojtek, meaning happy warrior. He became a Private in the Polish Army. Then a Corporal. Then, after Monte Cassino, a full Corporal with a pay book, serial number, and rations.

The Cub, the Unit, and the Long Road West

The 22nd Artillery Supply Company of the Polish II Corps was stationed in the Middle East when soldiers found Wojtek. He had been orphaned, possibly sold by a local child who had found him after his mother was killed. He was still small enough to carry.

He learned to walk upright by watching the soldiers. He drank from a bottle. He learned to smoke cigarettes by watching, and would pick up lit ones left on the ground. He wrestled, played, and marched in formation with the men. He traveled with the unit through Iraq, Palestine, Egypt, and then to Italy.

Monte Cassino, May 1944

The Battle of Monte Cassino was one of the most difficult engagements of the Italian campaign. Polish forces stormed the monastery hill after four previous allied attempts had failed. The fighting lasted weeks at close range on steep terrain.

During the battle, Wojtek was observed carrying artillery shells and supply crates. Whether he understood what he was doing or was simply mimicking the soldiers around him has been debated. The Polish soldiers maintained he understood. He made repeated trips, carrying loads without prompting, and did not panic under fire.

After Monte Cassino, he was officially enlisted as a Private, then promoted to Corporal. He drew a salary paid in food and cigarettes. He had a military ID.

Scotland and the End

After the war, Wojtek and the soldiers relocated to Scotland. He lived at Edinburgh Zoo from 1947 until his death in December 1963 at age 22. Soldiers from his unit visited him throughout his life. He reportedly responded to Polish commands and voices until the end.

A life-size bronze statue stands in Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens. Another stands in the Imperial War Museum in London.

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Sources

• Wikipedia — Wojtek (bear) — documented history of his enlistment, rank, service at Monte Cassino, and retirement to Edinburgh Zoo
• Imperial War Museum — The incredible story of Wojtek the soldier bear — IWM account of his military service, unit history, and London statue
• BBC News — Wojtek: The bear who went to war — BBC coverage of his story and the Edinburgh monument
• History.com — Wojtek the Bear: The WWII Soldier — timeline from Iran 1943 through Monte Cassino and postwar Scotland
• Edinburgh Zoo (Royal Zoological Society of Scotland) — records of Wojtek's time at the zoo from 1947 until his death in 1963

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