Corporal Wojtek – The Bear That Carries

CA: EXNbM4QEsma6QMECJHSZg2y4QJffGhZH8njah

It's not just a sweet anecdote – it's a symbol of friendship, loyalty, absurd wartime humor, and Polish spirit in the most difficult of times. The story is 100% true (confirmed by photos, witness accounts, military documents, and museums). Today, Wojtek is an icon: monuments (in Edinburgh, London, Krakow, and Imola in Italy), books, animated films, comics, and hundreds of memes.

$WOJTEK is a memecoin based on the legendary Polish bear Wojtek – a true story from World War II in which a brown bear became a "soldier" in the Polish army, carrying ammunition, smoking cigarettes, and drinking beer with the soldiers. It's a viral, historical meme with the potential to generate global hype:

Beginning – An Orphan in Iran (1942) Wojtek's mother was killed by hunters. The small, emaciated bear cub was found by an Iranian boy (a shepherd) who carried him in a sack. In April 1942, Polish soldiers from the 2nd Polish Corps (evacuated from the USSR via Iran) stumbled upon him while marching from Iran towards Palestine. They bought him from the boy in exchange for a can of canned meat, a bar of chocolate, a Swiss Army knife, and some change. Initially, he was fed condensed milk from a vodka bottle (using a cloth as a pacifier), honey, fruit, and marmalade.ij tutaj, aby dodać tekst.

Wojtek becomes a mascot and a member of the family (1942–1943) He grew quickly – as an adult, he weighed over 200–250 kg and walked on two legs. Favorite activities: Wrestling with soldiers (he usually won) Drinking beer straight from a bottle or mug Smoking cigarettes (he would light them and then swallow them whole) Riding in the back of military trucks Accompanying soldiers to meals and rest He became a tremendous psychological support for soldiers exhausted and traumatized by the labor camps – he boosted the morale of the entire company.

Official Army Induction (1943–1944) When the unit was to sail to Italy, British regulations prohibited taking animals on a transport ship. To circumvent the ban, Wojtek was officially included on the payroll and personnel of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company: Rank: Private (later promoted to Corporal) Registration Number Personal Military Record Book Ration Allocation General Władysław Anders personally approved this "formation."

The Battle of Monte Cassino – May 1944 The most famous moment in Wojtek's career. During the heavy fighting for Monte Cassino (the most difficult battle of the 2nd Polish Corps), the bear helped carry crates of artillery ammunition (25-pound shells, weighing approximately 11–18 kg each). He walked on two legs, carrying them wherever the unit needed them – imitating the soldiers and working constantly. After the battle, the company changed its insignia to a bear carrying a shell – it remains the symbol of the 22nd Company to this day.

After the War – Demobilization and Emigration (1945–1947) Wojtek followed the entire combat trail of the 2nd Corps: Iran → Iraq → Syria → Palestine → Egypt → Italy → Great Britain. After demobilization in 1946/1947, the soldiers remained in Scotland (Winfield Camp near Berwickshire). Wojtek lived with them in the camp, continued drinking beer, smoking, and wrestling with the veterans.

Final Years – Edinburgh Zoo (1947–1963) On November 15, 1947, Wojtek was transferred to Edinburgh Zoo – the soldiers could no longer care for him. At the zoo, he continued to respond to the Polish language – when Polish veterans visited him and called him in Polish, he would perk up, stand on his hind legs, and wave. He died on December 2, 1963. His death was widely reported in the British and Polish press.