Day 5 Lockdown -Teddy Tales

The Soldier Bear

WWII(1939-1945)

Welcome all, to my brand new blog where every day I will bring you all wacky, strange, horrifying but true tales from history. Enjoy!

  

In 1942, British orders were given for an army of escaped Polish soldiers to be set up and staged in Egypt where a small Iranian boy offered to sell the troop a bear cub that had been an orphan after it's mother had been shot by hunters. The Polish troop, also known as the 2nd Transport Company - later changed to the 22nd Artillery Supply Company - thought that the poor cub was cute so they purchased it. They gave it the Polish name: Wojtek. The commanding officer thought the bear was great since it boosted morale like a mascot would.

Wojtek was fed:

*- milk from a vodka bottle

*- rationed meat

*- meat he had hunted

*- the occasional beer when he was good

He was also rather fond of cigarettes which he would smoke then eat. Wojtek liked to wrestle the other men for enjoyment and beer; boy he was good! He was extremely obedient and he could even salute on command!

In 1943, the company was to leave the camp in Egypt to move to Italy when officials told them that Wojtek couldn't come. The commanding officer off the 22nd Artillery Supply Company didn't want to leave Wojtek behind so he simply just drafted as a private; he was given his own pay book and serial number. WOW!

The Battle of

Monte Cassino (1944-1945)

During the battle, Wojtek supported his fellow artillery men by carrying heavy crates of ammunition to them. This came about when one of the carers of the bear had to leave to scout the enemy. Wojtek was chained near other soldiers carrying ammo and firing cannons at the enemy. He began to copy what the men were doing. Amazing!

After the battle, the 22nd Artillery Supply Company altered their logo to a bear holding a bomb shell on a green background.

After the war

Once WWII was officially over (1945), the 22nd Artillery Supply Company were moved to Scotland. Many soldiers had to say a sad goodbye to Wojtek since their military service was required in other places of the world. Due to de-mobilization, Wojtek was to live the next years of his life in Edinburgh zoo where he was very popular with the local children. He was often visited by journalists and his old army crew.

Wojtek sadly passed away in 1963 at the age of 21.

Wow! What a cub. just imagine a bear as a soldier. Come back again for more!
         #onesockdays