WW2 Trivia Archive

Wojtek was found as a cub in Iran in 1943. He was trained, voluntarily or through imitation, to carry artillery shells by watching his fellow soldiers. At Monte Cassino, he hauled 25-pound shells to the guns. He was enrolled in the Polish Army's 22nd Artillery Supply Company roster with a paybook and serial number, initially as a Private. General Władysław Anders promoted him to Corporal following Monte Cassino. The Polish II Corps adopted the image of a bear carrying an artillery shell as its symbol. Wojtek lived at Edinburgh Zoo until his death in 1963; Polish veterans visited him regularly and passed him cigarettes through the fence.

Wojtek began this behavior by observation — he watched the men of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company load and carry shells and simply started doing it himself. The behavior was not trained; it was mimicry. He made multiple trips during the battle, carrying shells in his arms as the men did. The Polish II Corps subsequently adopted the image of a bear carrying an artillery shell as its unit symbol, which it still uses in military heraldry today. After the war, Wojtek emigrated to Edinburgh Zoo with his unit. He received cigarettes passed through the fence by Polish veterans who visited regularly until his death in 1963.