Was there really a bear in the Polish army?

Wojtek (1942 – 2 December 1963; Polish pronunciation: [ˈvɔjtɛk]; in English, sometimes spelled Voytek and pronounced as such) was a Syrian brown bear (Ursus arctos syriacus) bought, as a young cub, at a railway station in Hamadan, Iran, by Polish II Corps soldiers who had been evacuated from the Soviet Union.

Is the story of Wojtek the bear true?

Wojtek the bear was adopted by Polish soldiers early in World War II. He stuck with his unit through the end of the war, carrying supplies during fighting in Italy. A documentary has already been made about his life, and now an animated film will recount his story.

Where can I watch Wojtek the bear that went to war?

Watch Wojtek: The Bear that Went to War Online | Vimeo On Demand on Vimeo.

Did the Polish have a bear in ww2?

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.

Why did Poland have a bear soldier?

What kind of Bear is Wojtek?

Wojtek (1942 – 2 December 1963; Polish pronunciation: [ˈvɔjtɛk]; in English, sometimes spelled Voytek and pronounced as such) was a Syrian brown bear ( Ursus arctos syriacus) bought, as a young cub, at a railway station in Hamadan, Iran, by Polish II Corps soldiers who had been evacuated from the Soviet Union.

Where is the Wojtek statue in Poland?

In Poland, he is also fondly remembered, and in 2014 this memorial statue of Wojtek was erected in Krakow. The statue was entirely funded by the locals who wished to commemorate the bear and the battles he fought in. The memorial was unveiled on the 70th anniversary of the battle and remains one of the more popular statues in Jordan Park today.

What did John Wojtek do in WW2?

He accompanied the bulk of the II Corps to Italy, serving with the 22nd Artillery Supply Company. 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.

Did Wojtek deserve all the love he got from Polish soldiers?

However, ‘Wojtek’, by his service, deserved all the treats and love from the Polish soldiers with whom he fought shoulder to shoulder. Iran, 1942, Polish soldiers (evacuated from ZSRR) were on the way to Palestine. During eating break, they’ve noticed a poor-looking boy who observed them from distance afar.