Wojtek: The bear who was a private in the Polish army


A new play tells the story of Wojtek, a Syrian brown bear who was adopted by the 2nd Polish Corps during World War Two and fought alongside them in the Italian campaign. Allied soldiers were amazed to see Wojtek carrying artillery shells during the Battle of Monte Cassino. The play, titled The Bear Who Went To War, has been adapted by writer Alan Pollock from his children’s book of the same name. Wojtek was initially found by soldiers after his mother was shot by hunters in Iran. He travelled with the troops from the Middle East to Italy, during which time he became a source of great morale for the soldiers.

Cpl Andrzej Gasior, one of the soldiers in the war alongside Wojtek, was particularly fond of the bear. Mrs Butler, Gasior’s daughter, described how Wojtek became symbolic for her father, saying that he was “much more than a bear” and he “thought he was one of them”. The soldiers all came from very difficult backgrounds and many were displaced by the war. Wojtek had no family either, which is why he became a source of support and companionship for the soldiers. Although the bear was especially partial to dates, beer, and cigarettes, truthfully, he also ate whatever he could when food was scarce.

When the Polish forces were deployed to Europe, the only way to take the bear with them was to “enlist” him and give him a rank and number. Wojtek famously carried large artillery shells during one pivotal moment and quickly became a beloved symbol of their unity. Polish soldiers who served alongside Wojtek, including Gasior, settled in the UK after the war. Playwright Mr Pollock was initially told of the story by a 90-year-old woman while carrying out research. The play runs at the Albany Theatre Coventry until 2 November

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