A group of polish soldiers, recently released from russian labour camps. This is an informative book for adults and also contains an entertaining story for young children. The heart melting story of wojtek the soldier bear who. Private wojtek was no ordinary ursus arctos syriacus syrian brown bear was born near iraniraq border in 1942 but orphaned while still a tiny cub the huge 35stone sixfoot bear was sold to. Wojtek the bear was adopted as a young cub, in 1942 by soldiers of the 22nd transport company, artillery division of the polish 2nd corp. T he story of the iranian bear named voytek wojtek,vojtek, mascot of the polish army the polish bear. Aileen orrs new biography wojtek the bear, polish war hero will help to remedy that. Nov 16, 2011 a few months before meeting his namesake, wojtek the bear was sold as a small cub to some polish soldiers and civilians in iran.
It is a real,absolutely brilliant story of friendship between polish soldiers and a wild animal who became one of them. Its very interesting book about polish soldier who was a bear. In the spring of 1942 following the release of polish prisoners and deportees in the labour camps in siberia, the main route out of the soviet union was across the caspian sea to persia or iran as it is known today. Amongst their ranks was a special soldier named wojtek pronounced voytek. As the polish army prepared to enter the war zone in italy during 1943, the problem confronting the polish soldiers was the question of wojteks status. Wojtek the bears unlikely journey to scotlandand into the annals of military historybegan in iran in 1943, when a group of polish soldiers adopted an orphaned brown bear cub. Wojtek zielony balonik the scottish polish book club. Born in the zagros mountains in persia now iran in 1942, wojtek the bearcub was bought from a half starved local boy who had put him in a sac after the bears mother had been killed by hunters. A journalist for many years, he has also written numerous books and is well. Second, is the story of trying to establish a memorial to this bear. Wojtek started his career as a young cub, cuddly and adventurous, taken care of by soldiers of the newly formed polish transport company in persia.
However, while wojtek s comrades were exiled soldiers from poland, wojtek himself was a quite conspicuous sixfoot tall brown bear from iran. Private wojteks right to bear arms damn interesting. As the soldiers train to take part in some of the fiercest fighting of the war, wojtek grows up, providing headaches and laughter in equal measure as he learns to drink. Wojtek was adopted by what became known as the 22nd artillery supply company of the polish ii corps. After a brave final stand, the polish nation was split in. Incredible story of polish army hero wojtek the bear the. Private wojtek soldier bear is based on the true story of a real persian brown bear cub sold mainly for food and some money by a starving young persian boy to polish soldiers stationed in the middle east during world war ii. I felt like he was my older brother wojciech narebski, former. The unbelievable tale of wojtek the bear in scotland polish.
The story of wojtek, a brown bear adopted as a orphaned cub by polish soldiers is wellknown in some quarters, notably in britain and among polish veterans of world war ii. The heartmelting story of the bear who went to war. Wojtek accompanied the soldiers into battle and was even enlisted into the 22nd artillery transport company and given the rank of private. By giving the bear his own paybook, rank and serial number there would be no question that he was on the list of soldiers. The unusual polish soldier that drank beer and went to war. Apr 11, 2018 one group of soldiers within the 2nd corps was the 22nd transport companys artillery division. The heartmelting story of wojtek, the soldier bear youtube.
Wojtek accompanied the soldiers into battle and was even enlisted into the 22nd artillery transport company. Wojtek was given the rank of private, assigned a serial number, and from then on was included in all official rosters. To stay warm, wojtek slept on the chest of a soldier named piotr peter, who taught him military greetings and played with him. Wojtek the soldier bear memorial edinburgh, scotland. Aug 16, 2015 a short animated film that tells the true story of wojtek, a bear who got adopted by the polish soldiers and became an official member of the polish army during wwii. This is the incredible, endearing and heartwarming true story of wojtek, the polish bear that went to war. Download pdf wojtek the bear free online new books in. The story of the iranian bear named voytek wojtek,vojtek, mascot of the polish army the polish. Adam 1 jul 2018 when at the port of naples the british official archibald brown, looking at the roster in his hand, called out the namecorporal wojtek, nobody came forward. Wojtek the polish soldier bear an article by emily thompson 6th october 2018 4 min read.
It was a common polish name, but given the bear s future military career, the choice turned out to be somewhat prescient. Growing up with soldiers, wojtek adopted some rather curious habits. You will see wojtek smoking cigarettes,wrestling with soldiers,carrying weapons etc. Wojtek the soldier bear, who served with polish troops in the second world war has been commemorated, fiftytwo years after his death in edinburgh zoo. Wojtek traveled with the company through the middle east, as the unit made its way to join forces with the 3rd carpathian division of the british army in palestine. After germany seized poland in the blitzkrieg, polish forces were evacuated into the middle east to assist britain in the africa campaign. Private donors funded a statue of wojtek in krakow, poland in 2014.
The bear who fought hitlers nazis the story of the bear cub raised by polish soldiers who helped take monte cassino from the germans is to. The 600pound heavy brown furred bear wojtek was adopted by the 22nd transport companys artillery division in the polish. Story of polands soldier bear wojtek turned into film bbc news. Nevertheless, the book has it weak sides, especially when author writes about history of polish soldiers and polish people at large. The 2nd corp was made up of polish prisoners, and deportees, released from labor camps in siberia. Wojtek the soldier bear memorial wojtek the bears unlikely journey to scotlandand into the annals of military historybegan in iran in 1943, when a group of polish soldiers adopted an orphaned. When a tiny orphaned bear cub is adopted by polish soldiers during world war ii, little does anyone know that little wojtek will become one of the bravest fighters of them all. Wojtek needed to be a soldier, so the poles formally enlisted him as a private with his own pay book and serial number. This is a book of true events and holds your interest to the end and tells why wojtek the bear is such a symbol struggle and strength. News people wojtek the soldier bear to be honoured with own memorial day faithful private wojtek, a 6ft tall, 500lb brown bear who served alongside polish soldiers and lived out his years. Polish war hero since today is the 76th anniversary of poles taking over monte casino from nazis, i would like to introduce this book. First, there is the story of a very special bear at a time of great hardship for polish soldiers. Nov 10, 2014 wojtek pronounced voytek was a syrian brown bear who served with the polish 2nd corps in the 22nd artillery supply company. This bronze statue of wojtek and a fellow polish army soldier walking in peace and unity is a relatively new addition to princes street gardens, having been unveiled on the 7th november 2015.
Wojtek was found as a cub in iran and sold to a polish refugee who. Aug 19, 2012 the story of a bear soldier who served with the polish army in ww2. Wojtek the soldier bear statue, edinburgh tripadvisor. The cub was so small that it could not eat independently or normally swallow food, so the soldiers fed it themselves from an improvised nipple. 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. This site is dedicated to wojtek the soldier bear and the men of the 22nd transport company, artillery division, polish 2nd corp. He really was feeling like a member of our small military family, says mr narebski. How wojtek the beerdrinking bear became a world war ii hero. Amazing as this is, the book also records the sad tale of the soldiers who found.
The polish army produced more than its fair share of heroes during world war ii none more extraordinary than private wojtek, of the 22nd company of the 2nd polish corps. My favourite, however, is the one in edinburgh by alan beattie herriot which shows wojtek and a fellow polish soldier walking together. Wojtek, a syrian brown bear, was born in 1942 and initially sold by an iranian boy to irena bokiewicz, a young polish refugee, after he found the bear cub in a bag. As i was growing up in london, surrounded by polish emigres, i repeatedly heard this wonderful story about wojtek, a bear soldier who fought alongside the polish ii corps. One group of soldiers within the 2nd corps was the 22nd transport companys artillery division. In april 1942, troops of the polish ii corps 22nd artillery supply company were travelling from russia to palestine, where they came under the command of the british army. Each book contains both english and polish languages. Polish war veteran and friend of wojtek the bear shares. Wojtek the soldier bear was the pet mascot of the 22nd transport artillery supply company, polish ii corps during the conflict, and his story is truly fascinating. Aileen orrs new biography wojtek the bear, polish war hero will help to.
This is the inspiring true story of one of the second world wars m. Wojtek the soldier bear statue krakow, poland atlas. Wikimedia commons wojtek sits with a polish soldier, 1942. Animals were not permitted to accompany the army during the fighting. Inspired designs on tshirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. Eventually he was made a fullyfledged soldier in his own right and he started to be able to help out in. Wojtek the soldier bear to be honoured with own memorial. The soldier bear the story of wojtek started with the invasion of poland by the soviet union. And also to my father, dymitr szawlugo, and is the story of his early life before he married my mother. Buy wojtek the bear by aileen orr from waterstones today.
The logo of wojtek the soldier bear graced the sides of 22nd artillery supply company vehicles. However, while wojteks comrades were exiled soldiers from poland, wojtek himself was a quite conspicuous sixfoot tall brown bear from iran. This is the inspiring true story of one of the second world wars most unusual combatantsa 500pound cigarettesmoking, beerdrinking brown bear. Th t e story of wojtek the bear is perhaps unique, because wojtek was a volunteer in the polish army.
Indeed, reports say that the bear would drink milk from an old vodka bottle, imbibe beer and wine, and smoke and eat. Wojtek the bear was one of the most remarkable soldiers to take part in ww2. Wojtek was a brown bear bought as a young cub by polish ii corps soldiers. Jo fond of a bevvy and a fag, the habits of private wojtek werent too different from any other soldier of the 22nd polish artillery supply company. The soldiers had stopped in the zagros mountains for a meal break and were joined by.
Wojtek the soldier bear i cant believe its nonfiction. If you are not sure shall you buy it or not watch few movies on you tube. Jan 07, 2017 the cub became a part of the 22nd artillery supply company, and soon received its own polish name, wojtek pronounced voytek, which translates to joyous soldier. While traveling through the mountains of iran, two polish soldiers encountered a small boy carrying a large sack which contained a small, malnourished bear cub. Wojtek was a syrian brown bear ursus arctos syriacus bought, as a young cub. I gather a lot of research went into this book and as we learn about wojtek, we also learn about the treatment of poles during and after the war. When the unit demobilised in 1947, wojtek was given to edinburgh zoo as a gift from. Wojtek the bear, a 500to600pound brown bear that was essentially. Wojtek the soldier bear after germany seized poland in the blitzkrieg, polish forces were evacuated into the middle east to assist britain in the africa campaign. The book was written, with great passion, in order to raise money to commemorate wojtek with a statue. When a tiny orphaned bear cub is adopted by polish soldiers during world war ii, little does anyone know that little wojtek will.
Voytek soldier bear archive film wojtek niedzwiedz zolnierz film archiwalny gladiators of world war 2 free polish forces wojtek ur. Aug 02, 2012 but the bonds between the soldiers and their unusual mascot went deep, as aileen orr explains in this engaging book and it was a twoway process, with the soldiers caring for wojtek and wojtek. Sep 24, 2018 wojtek, the bear who helped polish soldiers win one of the most brutal battles of the second world war, is to be the subject of an animated film by the executive producer of childrens christmas. But ask some polish military veterans and theyd probably cite another creature. The story of wojtek the bear is almost like a fairy tale. The mischievous bear cub was named voytek smiling warrior by the soldiers.
A year and a half later, another statue of the war hero was unveiled in edinburgh, this one funded by the wojtek. Wojtek s legacy lives on in books, films, memorials, monuments, and the hearts of the polish and scottish people. The incredible story of the polish bear that went to war. However, his story may not be so well known elsewhere. Wojtek was officially made a polish soldier, complete with his own papers when he needed to board the boat to get to italy, made only possible by properly enlisting him and giving him a pay book. The story of wojtek the soldier bear who was promoted to. Wojtek the bear polish war hero by aileen orr is an endearing true story of a syrian bear in the persian mountains that in april 1942 joined a polish contingent of soldiers on their way to palestine. It begins with a group of polish soldiers in 1943 who were released from the soviet gulags after the nazis invaded the ussr. A truly eye opening story telling of the plight of the polish soldiers along with wojtek s own story and how he was loved by so many people.
There is a bear named wojtek which has also served his country just like any soldier of our indian armynavyairforce. The world famous princes street gardens in edinburgh is now home to a memorial in honour of the courage of all polish soldiers and wojtek, the polish soldier bear, during and after the second world war. Originally recruited into the polish army to boost morale, the brown bear ended up proving his value as a soldier. A number of books have appeared about wojtek but it is really the internet that has spread his fame worldwide. The bear lived on until 1963 and immortalised in a number of sculptures. Wojtek the bear was adopted by polish soldiers early in world war ii. The soldier bear was a hit with locals, and the scottish polish association even made him an honorary member. During world war ii, an orphaned brown bear went from being a cuddly pet to an officially enlisted soldier in the polish army, and reportedly saw fierce combat in italy. Story of polands soldier bear wojtek turned into film. By giving the bear his own pay book, rank and serial number there would be no question that he was on the list of soldiers of the polish second corps. Although wojtek, war hero bear is primarily a childrens book i would recommend all animal lovers read this heartwarming yet at times moving story. Piotr was a private in the polish army in world war ii.
The story of wojtek is both interesting and entertaining, i appreciate authors effort to commemorate the polish bear in a book as well as in a form of monument. Dec 20, 2017 we ended up collecting so many photos of this wonderful bear that we decided to put them all in one place. Oct 26, 2018 the book was written, with great passion, in order to raise money to commemorate wojtek with a statue. Story of wwii polish army bear wojtek being turned into film.
The soldiers treated wojtek like a baby, initially feeding him condensed milk out of a vodka bottle, and later nourishing him with fruits, marmalade, honey and syrup out of the soldier s. War hero bear birlinn ltd buy books online birlinn ltd. Piotr, a polish soldier meets the orphaned bear cub whilst serving in world war ii. Wojtek was an orphaned bear who was adopted by the polish second corps during wwii. The bear who went to war by alan pollock, illustrated by bryony thomson, 2019.
Some of the interesting facts about the soldier bear wojtek. On the road to tehran, polish soldiers encountered a boy caring for a syrian brown bear and decided to buy the young cub. Wojtek was a syrian brown bear rescued by polish troops as they journeyed through iran. Third is the story of the struggle of the polish people to survive. However, there is one slightly more unusual animal that aided polish troops during ww2.