Wojtek the Soldier Bear

[Mr Vim]

Originally, I read an article on a humor website
http://www.cracked.com/article_18550_5-true-war-stories-that-put-every-action-movie-to-shame_p2.html

That spoke about Wojtek (pronounced Voy-Tek), the soldier bear... you all read that right, it was a bear, who was a certified Private in the 22nd Artillery Supply company of the Polish Army. His job? He carried ammunition. I'd like to think he fought when the soldiers weren't working.

A very nice article of Wojtek's history can be found here,
http://wojtek-soldierbear.weebly.com/

Now the reason I am posting this thread, is that I recently read that the War Animal Museum in New Orleans denied a spot of their exhibit to Wojtek. Why? They have exhibits for dogs, cats, pigeons... most of which you could say are domesticated... this is A WILD BEAR!!! It decided to help out the Polish army in the assault of Monte Casino! A very crucial engagement in WWII.

So here is to Wojtek, I'll raise my glass when I get one in hand.

 

[W4ASZ]

Unjust !

 

[HepKitty]

I'm not exactly an expert on these sorts of things but I think it's more impressive to get a WILD animal to do tricks if you will than a very trainable domesticated animal... poor Wojtek!

 

[Sgt Brown]

NIH Syndrome? (Not Invented Here)

In other words, he was not accepted at the museum because he wasn't an American bear and part of an American unit?

Tom

 

[Edward]

Jinkies, if I wanted to attack an enemy with an animal by my side, I should think a wild bear would be much more effective than a lab or a goat! lol

 

[the hairy bloke]

when I was a kid I read a book called "Soldier Bear" about Wojtek.

I remember it made me sad as he ended up in Edinburgh zoo, sometimes visited by his comrades, on the outside.


This is probably the point were I ask if anyone knows the truth behind a tale told to us regarding a raindeer on a submarine............

 

[Mr Vim]

The article above lists that his comrades would visit and speak with him in their native tongue and it would be the onyl time he would respond to anyone.

Apparently, his old friend lept into his cage several times to wrestle with him.

 

[Chainsaw]

Thank you.:eusa_clap