Corporal Wojtek: The Beer-Drinking, Cigarette-Eating, Ammunition-Carrying Bear of World War II
It is often said that war brings out the best and worst in humanity. But in the case of Corporal Wojtek, it also brought out the best in a 500-kilogram, beer-loving, cigarette-munching Syrian brown bear. Yes, you read that correctly. In a war that featured spies, codebreakers, and tanks rolling across Europe, one of the most celebrated soldiers of the 2nd Polish Corps was, in fact, a bear.
From Orphaned Cub to Enlisted Soldier
Wojtek's story begins in the mountains of Iran in the spring of 1942. His mother had been shot by hunters, and he was found wandering, likely wondering why his life had taken such a tragic turn so early on. A young Iranian boy, seeing an opportunity, sold the cub to a group of Polish soldiers who were making their way through Iran after escaping Soviet captivity.
One could argue that this was Wojtek’s first taste of capitalism—though his true calling lay elsewhere. The soldiers, recognising that feeding a bear cub required more than just good intentions, provided him with the essentials: condensed milk from an old vodka bottle, fruit, marmalade, honey, and the occasional sip of beer. Because, naturally, if you’re going to raise a bear in wartime, you might as well introduce him to the finer things in life.
Corporal Wojtek, the Happy Warrior
The name Wojtek, derived from the Polish name Wojciech, means “Happy Warrior,” and, as it turned out, the bear truly lived up to it. He quickly became one of the lads—wrestling with the soldiers, saluting superior officers, and, for reasons best left to history, developing a fondness for both coffee and cigarettes.
Now, before you panic about the ethical implications of a smoking bear, let it be known that Wojtek didn’t actually smoke them—he simply chewed them up and swallowed them, much to the bemusement of his human comrades. He also learned to march on his hind legs, presumably because he thought this was just what soldiers did.
As Wojtek grew, so did his reputation. He travelled with the Polish 2nd Corps through Iraq, Syria, Palestine, and Egypt, becoming an unofficial mascot of the unit. However, when it came time for the unit to sail to Italy, a rather unfortunate logistical hiccup presented itself: British military regulations did not allow mascots or pet animals on transport ships.
Enlisted Bear, Officially on the Payroll
The Polish soldiers, demonstrating an ingenuity that would have made even the most seasoned bureaucrats weep, came up with an ingenious solution: enlist Wojtek as an official soldier. With a paybook, rank, and serial number, Wojtek was promoted from mere mascot to Private Wojtek of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company.
Thus, when the 2nd Polish Corps landed in Italy to take part in the fierce Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944, Wojtek was very much part of the action. According to reports, he carried crates of ammunition, each weighing around 100 pounds, without ever dropping a single one. This was particularly impressive given that these same crates usually required four men to carry them. In essence, the Polish army had managed to circumvent a labour shortage by recruiting a bear.
Wojtek's contributions did not go unnoticed. His bravery and unwavering work ethic earned him a promotion to Corporal, making him quite possibly the only bear in history to outrank some of his human comrades. To commemorate his service, the emblem of the 22nd Company was changed to depict a bear carrying an artillery shell—a fitting tribute to their most unusual but reliable soldier.
Wojtek’s Retirement in Scotland
After the war, the Polish soldiers faced the grim reality of returning to a homeland now occupied by the Soviet Union. Rather than see Wojtek become a pawn in Cold War politics, they took him to Scotland, where he was stationed at Winfield Airfield in Berwickshire. There, he continued to live among soldiers, entertaining the local population and even attending dances, because of course, if any bear was going to frequent a Scottish dancehall, it was Wojtek.
As Polish forces were gradually demobilised, Wojtek’s military career came to an end. In 1947, he was sent to Edinburgh Zoo, where he became one of its most beloved residents. Polish veterans regularly visited him, often calling out to him in their native language. Reportedly, he still perked up at the sound of Polish voices, as if expecting to be handed a crate of ammunition or, at the very least, a cigarette.
Throughout the years, Wojtek remained a popular figure, even appearing on BBC’s Blue Peter, which must have made for some of the most unintentionally hilarious children’s programming in history.
A Lasting Legacy
Wojtek passed away in 1963 at the age of 21, leaving behind a legacy that endures to this day. His story is told in books, documentaries, and, in 2015, a statue of him was unveiled in Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens. The monument depicts Wojtek carrying an artillery shell, forever immortalising him as a soldier among men.
His impact on the Polish military was undeniable. His presence boosted morale, his antics provided much-needed comic relief, and his work at Monte Cassino was, by all accounts, invaluable. He was, quite simply, the best kind of soldier: loyal, hardworking, and always up for a pint.
So, the next time you hear a war story about bravery and camaraderie, spare a thought for Wojtek—the only soldier who could chug a beer, carry artillery shells, and still have time for a quick smoke before battle. And if that isn’t the most absurdly wonderful story to come out of World War II, I don’t know what is.