Wojtek (1942 – 2 December 1963; Polish pronunciation: [ˈvɔjtɛk]; in English, sometimes phonetically spelled Voytek) was a Syrian brown bear [1][2] (Ursus arctos syriacus) adopted by soldiers of the 2nd Polish Corps during World War II. As a young cub, his mother was shot by hunters, and he was found in the mountains of Iran by a young boy.

After the battle, the official badge of the 22nd Transport Company became a likeness of Wojtek holding a shell. This symbol appeared on vehicles, pennants and on the uniforms of the soldiers. The war ended in May 1945 and the Polish soldiers were eventually sent across Europe to Berwick Upon Tweed in England where they stayed at Winfield Camp.

Nov 15, 2024 · Wojtek, the soldier bear who ate cigarettes and helped support soldiers during the Battle of Monte Cassino, had brought so much joy to those he lived with during the Second World War.

Aug 30, 2018 · The badge of the 22nd Artillery Support Company of the 2nd Polish Corps. The unit made a design of Wojtek (Voytek) the bear carrying a heavy artillery their emblem after his work in such a role during the campaigns in the Middle East and Italy.

Arguably the most unusual soldier to fight in the Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944 was Wojtek, a bear. Adopted two years earlier in Iran by soldiers of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company, Wojtek became part of the Polish II Corps of General Władysław Anders.

A rare complete group of insignia to the 22nd Artillery Supply Company famous for its bear soldier “Wojtek”. The set consists of a pair of collar “Wojtek” 22nd Artillery Supply Company Insignia and a “Wojtek” 22nd Artillery Supply Company Breast. Badge in the form of a driving wheel, with a bear holding an artillery shell, green enamel background.

Jan 30, 2017 · A 22nd Artillery Badge, bearing the image of Wojtek carrying a shell. (Photo: WikiCommons/Public Domain ) But Wojtek became famous for lifting other things.

On Saturday, 7 November 2015, a statue of Wojtek the bear a famous comrade of General Anders’ Second Polish Corps soldiers was unveiled in the Princess Street Gardens in Edinburgh city centre. The memorial, which cost around £250,000 was funded by a committee called the Wojtek Memorial Trust.

After the battle, Wojtek’s inspiring actions were the reason the official badge of the Twenty-Second Transport Company became a likeness of Wojtek holding a shell. This symbol appeared on vehicles, on pennants, and on the uniforms of the soldiers.