During World War II, in 1942, a new Polish army was forming in the Middle East under British command. One day, a soldier met an Iranian boy who had a bear cub. The cub’s mother had been killed by hunters, leaving it an orphan. The soldiers decided to buy the cub and take care of it at their camp.
In August, the bear was given to the Second Transport Company, which later became the 22nd Artillery Supply Company of the Polish II Corps. The soldiers named the bear Wojtek, and he quickly became a beloved mascot. They fed him milk from a vodka bottle, along with fruit, honey, and sometimes even beer. Wojtek had a funny habit of eating cigarettes and loved to wrestle with the soldiers. He even learned to salute!
As the Polish army prepared to move from Egypt to Italy in 1943, they faced a problem. Wojtek, being an animal, wasn’t allowed to go into combat zones. To solve this, the soldiers officially made Wojtek a private in the Polish army, complete with his own pay book and serial number.
During the Battle of Monte Cassino, Wojtek helped the soldiers by carrying crates of ammunition. One of his caretakers, Henrik Saker, had to leave him alone for a day to spot targets. While chained near the soldiers firing artillery, Wojtek started copying them, picking up crates and carrying them to the cannons. After the battle, the 22nd Artillery Supply Company created a badge showing a bear holding a shell in honor of Wojtek.
When the war ended in May 1945, Wojtek and his company moved to Berwickshire, Scotland, and stayed at Winfield Camp. Many soldiers had to say goodbye to Wojtek as they went to different parts of the world. After the army was demobilized in 1947, Wojtek lived at the Edinburgh Zoo. He became a local celebrity, often visited by journalists and Polish ex-soldiers who had served with him. Wojtek passed away in 1963 at the age of 21.
Thank you to Quid for supporting this episode of Simple History. Quid is a fun new app where you can open packs of stickers, cards, and Funko figures, and trade them with friends. It features thousands of stickers, including rare ones from popular shows like Rick & Morty, Game of Thrones, Marvel, and Adventure Time. Click the link in the description below to download the Quid app and start collecting!
Imagine you are a soldier in Wojtek’s company. Create a comic strip that illustrates a day in the life of Wojtek during the war. Use your creativity to show his interactions with the soldiers and his unique habits. Share your comic strip with the class and discuss the historical significance of Wojtek’s story.
Using a world map, trace Wojtek’s journey from Iran to Scotland. Mark key locations such as the Middle East, Egypt, Italy, and Scotland. Write a brief description of Wojtek’s experiences at each location. This activity will help you understand the geographical context of World War II and Wojtek’s role in it.
In groups, reenact the moment when Wojtek was enlisted as a private in the Polish army. Assign roles such as Wojtek, soldiers, and commanding officers. Discuss the challenges and solutions the soldiers faced in making Wojtek an official part of the army. Reflect on how this decision impacted morale and camaraderie.
Inspired by the badge created in honor of Wojtek, design your own version of a badge that represents Wojtek’s contributions during the Battle of Monte Cassino. Consider symbols and colors that reflect his bravery and the soldiers’ admiration for him. Present your badge design to the class and explain its elements.
Imagine you are a soldier who served with Wojtek. Write a letter to him expressing your gratitude for his companionship and contributions during the war. Share your letter with the class and discuss how Wojtek’s presence might have affected the soldiers’ experiences during difficult times.
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The story begins during World War II, in 1942, when a new Polish army was being established in the Middle East under British command. One of the soldiers came across a bear cub that had been presented to them by an Iranian boy. The bear had become an orphan after its mother was shot by hunters. The soldiers decided to purchase the cub, and it was taken under the care of a civilian refuge in the camp.
In August, the bear was donated to the Second Transport Company, which would later become known as the 22nd Artillery Supply Company of the Polish II Corps. The soldiers named the bear Wojtek, and he quickly became a morale-boosting mascot for the troops. The soldiers fed him milk from a vodka bottle, along with fruit, honey, and the occasional beer as a treat. Wojtek also enjoyed cigarettes, which he would sometimes eat, and he liked to wrestle with the men. He could even salute on command.
As the Polish army prepared to leave Egypt for Italy in 1943, there was a concern about Wojtek’s status as an animal, which meant he would not be allowed to accompany the soldiers into combat. To resolve this issue, the bear was officially drafted into the Polish army as a private, complete with his own pay book and serial number.
During the Battle of Monte Cassino, Wojtek supported the artillerymen by carrying crates of ammunition. One of his caretakers, Henrik Saker, had to leave the bear alone for a day to spot targets. While chained near the soldiers firing artillery, Wojtek began mimicking their actions, picking up crates and carrying them close to the cannons. After the battle, the 22nd Artillery Supply Company adopted a badge featuring a bear holding a shell.
When the war ended in May 1945, Wojtek and the 22nd were transported to Berwickshire, Scotland, and stationed at Winfield Camp. Many of the soldiers had to say goodbye to Wojtek as their service took them to different parts of the world. Following demobilization in 1947, Wojtek lived at the Edinburgh Zoo, where he became popular with locals and was frequently visited by journalists and Polish ex-servicemen who had fought alongside him. He passed away in 1963 at the age of 21.
Thank you to Quid for supporting this episode of Simple History. Quid is an exciting new app where you can open packs of stickers, cards, and Funko figures, and collect and trade them with your friends. It has been gaining popularity and features thousands of stickers, some of which are super rare, from big shows like Rick & Morty, Game of Thrones, Marvel, and Adventure Time. Click the link in the description below to download the Quid app and start collecting!
Soldier – A person who serves in an army and is trained to fight in battles. – During World War II, many soldiers were deployed to fight in various parts of the world.
Bear – A large, heavy mammal with thick fur and a short tail, known for its strength and ability to stand on its hind legs. – Wojtek, the bear, became famous for his role in helping soldiers during World War II.
Wojtek – A Syrian brown bear who was adopted by Polish soldiers during World War II and became a symbol of their unit. – Wojtek helped carry ammunition and became a beloved mascot for the soldiers.
Army – A large organized group of soldiers trained for land warfare. – The Polish army played a significant role in various battles during World War II.
Combat – Fighting between armed forces during a war. – Soldiers were trained extensively in combat techniques to prepare for battles.
Ammunition – Materials such as bullets or shells that are fired from weapons. – Wojtek the bear helped transport ammunition to the front lines during the war.
Battle – A military fight between groups of soldiers, ships, or planes. – The Battle of Stalingrad was one of the major turning points in World War II.
Zoo – A place where animals are kept for public viewing and education. – After the war, Wojtek was moved to a zoo in Scotland where he lived out the rest of his days.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Learning about history helps us understand how past events have shaped the present world.
World War II – A global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world’s nations. – World War II had a profound impact on the course of history and led to significant changes in international relations.
