
Wojtek the Bear, adopted by the 22nd Transport Company’s Artillery Division in the Polish II Corps in 1942, after an Iranian boy traded the bear for food. He served alongside his human comrades during the Italian Campaign
Wojtek, often referred to as the “Soldier Bear,” was a Syrian brown bear that played a unique and heartwarming role during World War II. Found as a young cub in Iran in 1942 after it was believed his mother had been shot by hunters, Wojtek was adopted by Polish soldiers of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company of the Polish II Corps. As he grew under the care of the soldiers, he became more than just a mascot; he became one of them.











