Wojtek

What are some of the other most surprisingly hardcore animals from history that have been used?

Uh, you got Wojtek, the Polish artillery bear.

You've got the Polish, uh, the Polish were held POWs for a period of time, I think by the Russians.

And then they got released to go fight back at the battle of Monte Casino.

And like, while they were on their way there, they picked up a, I believe it was a Siberian brown bear named, they named it Wojtek.

Yeah.

And, uh,

What are some of the other most surprisingly hardcore animals from history that have been used?

Uh, you got Wojtek, the Polish artillery bear.

You've got the Polish, uh, the Polish were held POWs for a period of time, I think by the Russians.

And then they got released to go fight back at the battle of Monte Casino.

And like, while they were on their way there, they picked up a, I believe it was a Siberian brown bear named, they named it Wojtek.

Yeah.

And, uh,

And I stood there alone.

[upbeat music] Our historical figure is Wojtek, a Syrian brown bear who served in the Polish II Corps during World War II.

[bear growls] Formally enlisted as a soldier, trained alongside men, carried artillery at Monte Cassino, and became a symbol of courage and loyalty that endures to this day.

[gentle music] Wojtek's story begins in 1942 when Polish soldiers traveling through Iran encountered a starving orphan bear cub.

He was taken in by the 22nd Artillery Supply Company and raised by the man who became his primary handler, Piotr Prendys.

Prendys, Prendys.

Corporal Piotr fed him, trained him, and slept beside him.

Wojtek traveled with the men across Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Palestine, growing from a cub into a companion who marched with them, played with them, and learned their rhythms.

...

if you ask me to name a famous Polish soldier from the Second World War, I will struggle apart from one, and that is Wojtek.

And Wojtek-

Yes

... is the Polish bear who serves in, uh, Monte Cassino.