In 1941 the Polish Armed Forces in the East was formed in the Soviet Union. This consisted of soldiers loyal to the Polish Government in exile. After the German Invasion of the Soviet Union, the formation was evacuated to Persia (Iran) under the control of the Western Allies and designated the Polish II Corps.
Whilst en route to Tehran a group of soldiers purchased an
orphan bear cub. The cub lived with the soldiers whilst they were in a refugee
camp.
In August he was adopted by the 2nd Transport Company, later 22nd Artillery Supply Company and given the name Wojtek. The name us derived from Polish for “Happy Warrior”.
To obtain rations Wojtek. was enlisted into the Polish Army. Wotjek settled into Army life playing with the soldiers, enjoying the occasional beer and eating cigarettes. 
In August he was adopted by the 2nd Transport Company, later 22nd Artillery Supply Company and given the name Wojtek. The name us derived from Polish for “Happy Warrior”.
The Polish Army moved from Iran, through Syria and Egypt to join the British Eight Army for the Italian Campaign.
It was at the Battle of Monte Cassino that Wojtek came to prominence. During the Battle he helped move 100 pound crates of 25 pounder shells.
In recognition of Wojtek’s contribution, the official emblem of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company became a bear carrying an artillery shell.
The Polish Army would fight their way north through Italy. When the unit moved Wojek would travel in the cab of a waggon.
At the end of the war, Wojtek. and the rest of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company were transported to the UK where they were stationed at Hutton, 8km (5 miles west of Berwick upon Tweed). On demobilisation Wojtek was given to Edinburgh Zoo.
Wojtek passed away in December 1963 aged 21.
In 2015 a bronze statue of Wojtek. with a Polish Soldier was unveiled in Princess Street Edinburgh. A relief structure chronicles Wojtek's journey from Iran, through the war, to Edinburgh.
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| Polish Soldier and Wojtek |
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| Polish Soldier Wojtek and Sculpture telling the bears story |
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| Wojtek Sculpture |
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| Wojtek Polish Memorial |
