In 1942, tens of thousands of Polish Siberian exiles were given the opportunity to leave the Soviet Union and reach the Middle East with the Polish army under the command of General Władysław Anders, which had been formed a few months earlier. While traveling through Palestine, Polish soldiers and civilians came across an Iranian boy with a young bear. Lieutenant Anatol Tarnowiecki from the 3rd Carpathian Rifle Division, at the insistence of Irena Bokiewicz (niece of General Bolesław Wieniawa-Długoszowski), purchased the bear in exchange for canned goods, crackers, a bar of chocolate, a few coins and a Swiss army knife. Following a several month stay in a camp for civilians, the bear was handed over to the army and incorporated into the 22nd Artillery Supply Company. After some time he even obtained the rank of corporal. Wojtek became the soldiers’ favorite, participating in wrestling matches, usually ending up the winner. At night he would sneak into tents to sleep with people.

However, Wojtek was not merely the Company’s mascot, but was also a trustworthy brother in arms. During the Battle of Monte Cassino, as well as during the fighting on the entire Italian front, he helped carry ammunition to artillery firing positions. His importance  was reflected in the unit’s badge of recognition, which depicted a bear carrying a missile. After the war, Wojtek went to Edinburgh Zoo, where he was visited frequently by his former army comrades, who often entered his enclosure. The bear remained there until his death in 1963. Today, Wojtek is a symbol of the so-called Anders’ Army, commemorated by numerous monuments in Poland and abroad.

Prepared by Piotr Bosko