Voytek, the Soldier Bear of Poland Battles Obscurity
Beer-Drinking, Chain-Smoking Army Bear Honored
History is filled with unsung heroes of war. Among the hairiest and perhaps heaviest is Voytek, (Wojtek), the courageous, beer-guzzling, chain-smoking brown bear of Poland's 22nd Transport Company. But thanks to the efforts of his Scottish fans, a grass-roots movement has sprung up to build a monument to him near his adopted hometown of Edinburgh.
Born in Iran in about 1942, Voytek's story reads like a myth. He reportedly marched on his hind legs in time with the troops, fought along side them at the battle of Monte Cassino, and liked to smoke and drink. "There are people I've spoken to who have never heard of Voytek at all and see the story as some sort of myth," says Garry Paulin, who has written a book about Voytek. "I think it's important that people know the facts about Voytek, that's why I've aimed the book at children as well."
By numerous accounts Voytek was acquired as a cub by the Polish Army in the mountains of Hamadan from a young boy carrying him around in a sack. The troops, many of whom had just been released from Siberian work camps, became enamored of the honey-colored bear. They fed him milk out of an old vodka bottle, reared him and treated him not as pet, but as a fellow soldier as they made their way across the Middle East to the Lebanese front.
His shining moment came in April 1944 during the battle of Monte Cassino. One of the final hold-outs of the Axis, the sixth-century abbey atop an Apennine peak had proven impregnable to allied forces. Polish forces were sent in along with Voytek's troop, and a bloody siege ensued.
The 22nd Transport Company was charged with moving supplies up and down the mountainside. During the battle, Voytek is said to have walked up to his commanding officer and put out his paws. The officer handed him a "heavy box and watched in wonder as Voytek loaded it effortlessly onto the truck. Backwards and forwards he continued, time and time again, carrying heavy shells, artillery boxes and food sacks from truck to truck, from one waiting man to another." The monastery was taken at last taken and Voytek became the symbol of the 22nd Company. It even made an emblem in his likeness.
When the war ended, Voytek and his fellow troops were transfered to Scotland. Voytek became something of celebrity, appearing regularly on the BBC, but in 1947 the 22nd was disbanded and Voytek's only family sent back to Poland. The heroic brown bear was left in Scotland, becoming a ward of the Edinburgh zoo, where he lived out his days in the melancholy of captivity. Though he was a media darling, his only joy is said to have come when he was visited by his former comrades, who would toss him lit cigarettes and speak to him in loving Polish.
Voytek died in December 1963. Since then his story has been drifting through the pages of historic lore like a wandering bear, heard but unconfirmed. Despite extensive documentation, photographs and even a few sculptures, most people have never heard of Voytek, or regard him as a myth. But Scottish campaigner Aileen Orr, along with others, wants to change that by erecting a memorial. As she told the BBC: "The story is totally amazing."
By Emil Steiner | January 28, 2008; 11:20 AM ET | Category: OFF/beat Politics
Posted by: Jokerman | January 28, 2008 1:01 PM
What a great story- these Polish soldiers were POWs and survivors of 1940-41 mass deportations after USSR attacked Poland on 19 Sept.1939 from the east,a little over two weeks after the German attack on 1 Sep 1939 from the west.
Voytek's "family" of Polish soldiers after demobilization- were not sent back to Communist Poland. Probably just a few went back, but most stayed in the West knowing full well what awaited them in Poland occupied (liberated?)by the USSR - the 2nd invader in 1939.
Posted by: Martha | January 28, 2008 3:42 PM
You can see Wojtek on this video in action(8 min 40 s)
He was a really hero.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y-Kg_Jpci4
Posted by: Huragan | January 28, 2008 3:51 PM
He is adorable. A shining symbol of Poland and humility.
Posted by: Humbled | January 29, 2008 12:08 AM
Voytek wasn't the only bear serving in the Polish army. During the military parade in Warsaw in 1919, the Siberian Division - freshly returned from the revolutionary Russia - marched with a female polar bear named Baska (Barbara). I believe that Baska also ended up in a zoo.
Posted by: Cracowman | January 29, 2008 8:52 AM
Clearly the Pollacks have a need to recruit from the animal population but I doubt their regular army is made up of zoo animals and beasts of burden.
Posted by: raco | January 29, 2008 11:07 AM
My father in law fought in the Polish Army and was a part of Voytek's life. He remembers his days with Voytek with pride. It is wonderful to see these memories being remembered and recorded for the men who where there will not be be with us much longer.
Posted by: Ruth Horaczko | January 29, 2008 1:41 PM
It is really sad to see that some of the posters here are obviously much less intelligent than animals...
Posted by: Cracowman | January 29, 2008 3:57 PM
Interesting story.
Pity that some posters have to say something instead wait until they have something to say.
Posted by: Les | January 29, 2008 7:31 PM
What a beautiful story!I hope this will become a movie.This movie could be a classic of all times.It would also help educate these disturbed morons who hunt.Rest in peace oh great and noble bear.
Posted by: Gary Carter | January 29, 2008 7:35 PM
Some Bear! Though this story would never fly in today's military it shows what we have lost in the personal touch. Long Live Voytek
Posted by: kolafin | January 29, 2008 7:45 PM
Thank God for Voytek and for Poland.
Posted by: Drew | January 30, 2008 7:27 AM
raco: No need for your stupid, racist comment !!!
Posted by: PJ | January 30, 2008 6:25 PM
The monument to Wojtek, originally at Edinburgh Zoo, is now in the Sikorski Museum in London. Films of Wojtek at play are deposited in the Imperial War Museum, in London. The Scottish Authorities (politically heavily left leaning) removed Wojtek memorabilia because they reminded people of the presence of Polish Army units in Scotland during and after the war, and the reasons for their presence - the Soviet attack on Poland in 1939, the Soviet alliance with Nazi Germany for the first two years of the 2WW, and the shameful Yalta betrayal of Poland. It is also not generally known that Edinburgh University had Polish faculties of Medicine and Law during the 2WW.
Posted by: Andy Borucki | January 31, 2008 8:15 AM
Beautiful story!Moronic and disturbed humans who hunt these beautiful complex creatures should are a disgrace.Bless the children and the beasts.
Posted by: gary | April 1, 2008 11:26 AM
Beautiful story!Moronic and disturbed humans who hunt these beautiful complex creatures are a disgrace.Bless the children and the beasts.
Posted by: gary | April 1, 2008 11:27 AM
Post a Comment
We encourage users to analyze, comment on and even challenge washingtonpost.com's articles, blogs, reviews and multimedia features.
User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.
Poland honoring a drunken bear as a war hero... Its just too easy.