The Heart-Melting Story Of Wojtek, The Soldier Bear

The tale is bizarre, but true. During World War II, an orphaned brown bear went from being a cuddly pet to an officially enlisted soldier in the Polish army, and reportedly saw fierce combat in Italy. Decades after the war and his death, "Wojtek" continues to be honored.

[maxhaly]

The soldiers saved his life when he was a cub, but when he grew up, he was the one saving them on the battlefield. What a legend.

[marbre]

Wojtek needs a movie made in his honor, who agrees?

[toastfairy]

Doesn't matter what you are

*A bro is still a bro.*

[Bristecom]

I imagine the bear saying at the zoo, "The war was the best years of my life."

[matteofranceschi]

Wojtek is legendary in Italy too. That bear and the 22nd company freed my hometown in WW2, we even made him a statue!

[matthewzimmerman]

Just imagine being on the other side and peeking out of cover to see a full grown grizzly carrying mortar shells across a live battleground

[rated-x]

Imagine a bear telling you his grandpa served in ww2

[wajinshu]

First time seeing this. The smile on their faces. Glad someone take those videos and pictures for us to see.

[matthewblank]

It's nice especially because he lived for 22 years, their expectancy is about 20. That means he was happy and healthy. Salute!

[AcidAroma]

British army: No animals allowed in camp.

Polish army: Nah that’s just Private Wojtek

Lol that’s amazing.

[TheCeiteach]

I've seen his statue in Edinburgh, people still leave wreaths & flowers. Touches the heart to see

[moist_captain]

It's enough to make a grown man cry

[vastolorde]

Im from Poland and here is a fun fact: When the bear was in zoo, Polish soldiers would jump over the fence and play with him (even the zoo let them do it).

[cyprys]

Fun fact: no one told him to carry the ammunition boxes, he volunteered. After observing his comrades carrying the boxes and placing them he learned to carry them and worked hard. Thanks to his effort his squad carried over a few tons of ammunition

[mrcisgenstraightwhitemale]

I bet he missed his brothers-in-arms terribly when they locked him up. No drinking, smoking, wrestling, sitting around the camp fire and sleeping with his comrades.

[joolspirog]

I forgot to say, thank you for posting this and keeping Wojtek’s memory alive. My father was with the 1st Polish armoured division but he met him. The only time i saw tears from my father was when he talked of him, he loved all of nature but said God has sent this bear

[OrcaStree]

"The crates weighed over 100 pounds."

That's like 1 pound in bear units

[ninepuchar]

I feel like having a bear, gave the troops a morale boost.

[MuhammadAhmed-tksj]

Wojtek: Was I a good bear?
Death: No
Wojtek: ...
Death: I heard you were one of the best

[Deepak-owww]

The fact that the polish didn't abandon the bear but enlisted him as private is highly commendable.
Finally he repaid it by helping in carrying heavy ammunitions