Wojtek the Bear: Polish War Hero

Really brings to life the history of Wojtek and some Polish history in WWII. Gained a better understanding of why the bear meant a lot to the Polish troops.

Reading as I do on various wars and battles of interest to me and while keeping the larger event in front of me. I came across a story of the Polish Army Service Corps that fought during the Battle of Monte Cassino among many other battles during the Second World War. Specifically, the Battle of Monte Cassino and the Gustav Line in Italy are among my all-time favorites of the war in Europe in which to read, study, learn, and devour. It was during one of my past readings on this battle that I learned of a bear adopted by the 22nd Company of the Polish Army Service Corps to which I knew one day I would have to read. The purpose of wanting to read of Wojtek (Voy-check) was in my first impression to grasp a deeper understanding of the Polish Army - it was in fact those boys who broke the Gustav Line and lead the way to the success at Monte Cassino after General Mark Clark (aka Marcus Aurelius Clarkus) expended the U.S. Army 36th Division (Texas) in attempting to cross the Rapido - an accounting he would later have to face in a Congressional Investigation to which he was acquitted - but would never earn a 5th Star to his collar either - as a point of interest on Clark he was the signature on the Truce for the Korean War. But, this book was about a bear; adopted as a cub who served well with his Polish Comrades - and is by all accounts a hero by every measure of the word.I thought I would learn about a bear and a battle in this book; what I came away with was a brief history known to us of the sadness of the great people of Poland. A people and a culture that were left behind not to earn their freedom until 1989 with the leadership and charisma of Lech Walesa. I also came away with a post WWII better understanding of the Scottish who adopted the boys of the Free Polish Army. The short 200 or so pages of this book are an introduction to a treasure trove of a depleted, betrayed, heroic, and wonderful people of the Polish. The Scots have a fascinating history as do the Welsh, the English, and the Irish.The only matter I did not agree with in this book was in the epilogue of this book by another author Neal Ascherson - he stated that FDR and Churchill gladly let Uncle Joe Stalin do what he wanted with Poland but by all historical accounts - Sir Churchill fought this behind the scenes and FDR was nearing the end of his tired existence by the time the Yalta Conference took place.My appreciation for Ms. Aileen Orr for her brilliant display and abilities with the "proper" English use gave this American a smile and a lesson on occasion. The simple pleasures are always the best and are priceless. This book and historical account is a gem and rightfully earned the five stars it deserves. NAZDROWIE! To Poland and "to your health!"

I stumbled on this and book was a quick read. I would say 3 star writing on major book with also interesting views on British life with Poles in camps. The ending that detailed Polish history was sort of bonus and very well written. I found that interesting and well written given it was that recounting history can be a bit dry, but his was not. I visited my brother in Poland while he was teaching school in 1972, and the historical information in this book rounded out many of my views and experiences.

Nice story that is very little known. Easy short read. I am of Polish heritage and enjoyed this book. Passed it on..

The story of Wojtek, a brown bear adopted as a orphaned cub by Polish soldiers is well-known in some quarters, notably in Britain and among Polish veterans of World War II. However, his story may not be so well known elsewhere. Aileen Orr's new biography "Wojtek the Bear, Polish War Hero" will help to remedy that.Orr grew up in post-World War II in the Borders area of Scotland on a farm near to a Polish troop demobilization center. It was there in the period immediately after World War II that her grandfather came to know and love Wojtek, a brown bear who served and was given a rank in the Polish Second Army. By the time Orr was a young girl, Wojtek had become a resident of the Edinburgh Zoo. This is where Orr would go to visit Wojtek. Wojtek lived until the age of 22. He died at the Zoo in 1963.The saga of Wojtek (pronounced Voy-check) begins with his adoption in 1942 by Polish troops stationed in Iran. His socialization was as a member of a platoon of men, not as a wild bear as he would otherwise have been, gatherering and hunting for food, wary of men. What is fascinating is that Wojtek probably considered himself as much a human as a bear since from an impressionable age he had no mama bear to teach him. Instead, he modeled himself as a soldier, following the lead of the soldiers as they did their daily duties and practiced their field maneuvers.For more than five years, Wojtek lived freely with the Polish soldiers, modeling his behavior on theirs, wrestling with them, rough-housing and playing games with them, eating as they ate. A mascot and morale-booster, Wojtek was this and much more. The Polish Second (Artillery) Corps moved many times from Iran to Iraq, to Palestine, to Egypt, Italy and finally, to Scotland. As the Army moved, so did Wojtek. Wojtek smoked (and ate) cigarettes, drank beer, loved sweets, apples, pastries and honey. In desperate times, the men fed Wojtek from their own limited rations.What most distinguished Wojtek was his service in combat, especially his role in the Italian Campaign at the siege of Monte Cassino. It is there that Wojtek proved himself. Following the lead of his fellow soldiers, Wojtek lifted and carried heavy shells to artillery pieces. If the soldiers could do it, so could he. It is this image of Wojtek the bear carrying live shells in his arms that has become the enduring image of Wojtek's loyalty, sense of duty and comaradarie with his fellow soldiers. This image of Wojtek is one of great pride and enduring spirit. Wojtek's image is used in the Polish Army to this day.The pen-ultimate chapter details the effort to commission a statue of Wojtek in Edinburgh to honor him and his fellow soldiers for their service and to remind younger generations of what the expatriate Polish forces went through during World War II.The final chapter written by Neal Ascherson provides background and context for what happened to Poland in 1939 when Hitler and Stalin invaded and then divided it between themselves. Ascherson recounts what happened to Polish military and civilians from Soviet-occupied eastern Poland who were exiled to Russia. He explains how remnant soldiers and civilians became the nucleus of the expatriate Polish Army that would go on to fight Nazi Germany after Hitler broke the non-aggression pact with Stalin."Wojtek the Bear" is written in an easy style, suitable for adults and teens. Five stars.

Being of Polish birth, I found this piece of historical info really special and with pictures to verify that this is actual fact. Thank you for having this available.....great reading.

I love animals and love reading books about them. When I came across this one I was intrigued and decided to check it out. I really enjoyed the book! Some parts of it were sad but other parts were funny. Some of the stuff that Wojtek and his comrades got up to put a smile on my face and made me laugh. For anyone who hasn't yet read this book I'd highly recommend it.

Woitek, um herói inusitado que salva nossas almas da amargura não só da segunda grande guerra mas das pequenas guerras diárias. Um amigo fiel e gracioso como só um bicho consegue ser.

V. good purchase received as promised

Ein unglaublich schönes Buch über die Freundschaft zwischen Mensch un Tier die ganz andere Dimensionen hatte alsbei der üblichen Tierhaltung vorkommen kann. Das Buch ist rührend und gleichzeitig kann man sehr viel lernen übereine wichtige Episode in 2em Weltkrieg. Dazu kommen viele Photos die direkt den Weg ins Herz finden.Sehr zu empfehlen.