How a Brown Bear Became a Symbol of Courage

#bears #worldwar2 #wojtek

Wojtek (1942-1963), also known as "The Brown Soldier," was a Syrian brown bear who was adopted by the 22nd Artillery Supply Company of the Polish II Corps during World War II. The soldiers found him as a young cub in Iran and raised him as one of their own, teaching him to salute and carry heavy ammunition crates. Wojtek quickly became a beloved mascot of the unit and even had his own rank, becoming a Corporal in the Polish Army.

Wojtek accompanied his unit throughout the Italian campaign, where he would help move supplies and entertain troops during downtime. He became famous for his strength and good-natured personality, and his story has been celebrated in books, films, and statues across the world. After the war, Wojtek was transported to Scotland, where he lived out the rest of his life in Edinburgh Zoo until his death in 1963. Despite being an animal, Wojtek was honored as a hero by the Polish Army and is still remembered as a symbol of Polish-Scottish friendship to this day.

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