The cigarette smoking, beer drinking bear that helped fight the Nazis: Work begins on new animated film telling the remarkable true story of how Wojtek the bear fought alongside Polish soldiers during World War Two

UK Daily Mail ^ | 10/22/2021 | Harry Howard

[Scarlett156]

Work has begun on an animated film depicting the true story of the cigarette smoking, beer drinking bear which 'fought' alongside soldiers in the Second World War.

Adopted as an orphaned cub in 1942 by the 22nd Artillery Division of the Polish 2nd Corps, Wojtek, which in Polish means 'smiling warrior' or 'he who enjoys war', quickly became an adored mascot.

He went on to be officially given the rank of Private and learnt to march alongside the troops, salute and even carry cases of ammunition.

[Scarlett156]

And he never tore anybody limb from limb, apparently, when he couldn't get his cigs.

[SgtHooper]

But mess with his pik-a-nik basket, and you’re toast!

[Scarlett156]

I imagine they worked to make sure he had plenty of beer and cigs.

[rlmorel]

This is a great story...I read about this some years ago...

Another interesting story along these lines is that of The Lafayette Escadrille in WWI with the famous French pilot Raoul Lufbery (and many American pilots) is that of his pet lions Whiskey and Soda, who were allowed to roam freely around their base, which really frightened and unsettled a lot of people!

The Lufbery Lions, Whiskey and Soda

Whiskey and Soda apparently adored Lufbery, though, so he was in no danger of being mauled...:)

[Bearshouse]

The pictures are wonderful, from a tiny cub to a huge bear. The intimidation factor alone must have been awesome.

[Scarlett156]

Wow, that’s amazing! Thanks.

[Scarlett156]

He helped them, too! I mean, it wasn’t a trick, he was part of the unit, carrying artillery and so on. He lived a pretty long life for a bear - he died in 1963 at age 21.

[JerseyDvl]

The Bear Jew?

[God luvs America]

they are great- bears are cool. Wonder why they did not bring him back to Poland with them?

[broken_clock]

Cool story! Thanks for posting.

[Jolla]

It will be great to hear Phil Harris

[Verginius Rufus]

Beer. It’s not just for horses any more.

[panzerkamphwageneinz]

Photos show him serving with German paratroopers
Someone messed up

[Scarlett156]

Maybe he was doing spy work.

[PGR88]

[Mr Radical]

The Polish troops serving with the British couldn’t go back to Poland because that would have meant next stop would be the Gulag.

[God luvs America]

Right- didn’t think of that.

[rlmorel]

I have always loved that GIF...:)