A Soldier with Fur
In the chaos of World War II, a bear cub found on a roadside in Iran became one of the most unusual soldiers to serve in the Allied forces. Adopted by the Polish 2nd Corps, the Syrian brown bear named Wojtek grew from a helpless cub into a full member of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company. He was given a rank, a service number, and marched, ate, and drank alongside his human comrades.
From Orphaned Cub to Private Wojtek
The story began in April 1942, when Polish soldiers traveling from the Soviet Union to Iran met a young boy carrying an orphaned bear cub. Eighteen-year-old civilian Irena Bokiewicz persuaded Lieutenant Anatol Tarnowiecki to buy the cub, who was later given to the soldiers of the 2nd Transport Company. They named him Wojtek, meaning “joyful warrior.” Fed with condensed milk from a vodka bottle, Wojtek quickly became part of the camp’s life, enjoying fruit, marmalade, and even beer, which became his favorite drink.
Marching to War
As the company moved through the Middle East toward Europe, Wojtek grew stronger and more attached to the soldiers. When British transport regulations forbade animals aboard the ship to Italy, the unit enlisted him officially as a soldier, complete with papers and paybook. During the Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944, he carried heavy ammunition crates, mimicking his comrades as they worked. Witnesses recalled seeing the bear hauling boxes that usually required four men. His strength and presence earned him a promotion to corporal, and a bear carrying a shell became the emblem of the company.
From the Frontlines to Scotland
After the war, Wojtek traveled with the troops to Scotland, where they were stationed near Hutton in Berwickshire. Locals quickly grew fond of him, and he became an honorary member of the Polish-Scottish Association. When the unit was demobilized in 1947, Wojtek was moved to the Edinburgh Zoo, where he lived until his death in 1963. Former soldiers often visited, calling his name in Polish, which he still recognized. He remained a familiar figure, even appearing on BBC’s Blue Peter.
When he died on 2 December 1963, aged 21, Wojtek weighed nearly 500 kilograms and stood almost six feet tall. His story remains one of the most remarkable accounts of companionship and service in wartime history.
He drank beer, smoked cigarettes, and hauled live artillery through war.
Yet Wojtek was not a man but a Syrian brown bear who joined the Polish Army, fought at Monte Cassino, and ended his days greeting visitors at the Edinburgh Zoo…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/qHoWNegAA4
— Fascinating True Stories (@FascinatingTrue) October 22, 2025