In 1942, a local boy found a bear cub near Hamadan, Iran, whose mother had been shot. He sold it to Irena Bokiewicz, a young Polish refugee who had left Poland due to world war 2. Irena was walking across the Elbruz mountains as she in an attempt to escape the Soviet Union pogroms in her hometown. When the bear became too big she donated him to the Polish Army. Eventually, Wojtek made it to the rank of Corporal while in the Polish 22nd transport company.
This is the journey of a very special bear.
Wojtek (Voytek) was a bear cub found in Iran in 1942 and adopted by soldiers of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company of the Polish II Corps
Soldiers fed him with condensed milk from an emptied vodka bottle. The bear was subsequently fed with fruit, marmalade, honey and syrup, and often rewarded with beer, which became his favorite drink. He also enjoyed smoking and eating cigarettes.
Over the long journey from Iran to Palestine, the bear quickly became the unofficial mascot of the 22nd company. The bear would sit around the campfire with the men, eating, drinking, and sleeping in the tents with the rest of the soldiers.
He enjoyed wrestling (obviously, no one had any chance with him) and was taught to salute when greeted.
