Corporal Wojtek (pr. Voy-check)

This is Corporal Wojtek (pr. Voy-check). He was an orphaned Syrian brown bear that was adopted by a Polish artillery unit in WW2. The rank is not a nickname, he was actually sworn in and received pay in the form of extra rations as well as beer and cigarettes. He loved to box and wrestle with the men and was a huge morale boost but he was much more than just a mascot or pet. He taught himself how to carry artillery shells and supplies and was said to do the work of 4 men (although he ate as much as 10.) It was even said that he would drag wounded men off the battlefield as long as they weren't speaking in German. 

After the war he retired to a boring but comfortable life in the Edinburgh zoo. He always got excited when ever he heard visitors speaking Polish. His former comrades would often visit him and toss cigarettes over the fence for old times sake. 

He died in 1963 at age 21. To this day his former unit still wears his likeness on their insignia.












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