The Syrian brown bear who rose to the rank of corporal

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: During World War II, a Syrian brown bear named Wojtek became a formal member of the Polish army. Beyond serving as a morale booster, this bear allegedly assisted during the Battle of Monte Cassino by carrying heavy ammunition crates, earning him a promotion and a permanent place in military history.

In 1942, close to Hamadan, Iran, a youthful shepherd exchanged a Syrian brown bear cub for chocolate, canned beef, and a Swiss Army knife. After his mother was probably slain by hunters, the cub was first looked after by civilians and soldiers at a Polish refugee camp near Tehran, including 18-year-old Irena Bokiewicz. To help the cub swallow, soldiers fed him condensed milk from an empty vodka bottle.

As the bear grew, he became a central figure for the 22nd Artillery Supply Company of the II Corps. To comply with military bans on pets, Wojtek was officially enlisted with a serial number and the rank of private. He developed human-like habits, such as saluting, marching on his hind legs, and even taking long showers. He was known to enjoy treats like honey, fruit, marmalade, cigarettes, and beer, though he never appeared to become intoxicated from the alcohol.

His most renowned achievement is linked to the May 1944 Battle of Monte Cassino. Wojtek reportedly mimicked his human comrades by transporting ammunition crates and artillery shells from trucks to the troops. This bravery led to his promotion to the rank of corporal and prompted the company to change its insignia to a bear carrying an artillery shell. After the war, Wojtek was moved to Scotland in 1946, eventually spending his remaining years at the Edinburgh Zoo until his death in 1963.

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