Wojtek the Bear
Have you heard of Wojtek the Bear? He was a Syrian brown bear adopted by soldiers in the Polish army during World War II. The story goes that Polish soldiers were making their way through Iran when they came across an orphaned bear cub. A young shepherd had found the cub (whose mother was most likely killed by hunters), and the soldiers "bought" the bear in exchange for some canned meat, chocolate, and a Swiss Army knife. They named him Wojtek and raised him as part of their unit.
Wojtek was a big help to the Polish army. Image Credit: Jakson Martins/Pexels
Wojtek was known for his playful behavior, drinking beer (and did not seem to be intoxicated by it), smoking (or at least chewing) cigarettes, and wrestling with the soldiers. He also enjoyed riding in trucks, at first in the passenger seat when he was a cub and then in the back seat when he grew larger. But his most famous moment came during the Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy. To officially include Wojtek in the army and provide him with rations, the soldiers enlisted him as a private. During the battle, Wojtek helped move heavy crates and carried artillery shells between trucks and troops engaged in combat. His contribution was so notable that the Polish army promoted him to the rank of corporal. Got a fun fact for us? Share it below or in another thread here!
