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  Wojtek the Bear: Polish War Hero (Hardback) By (author) Aileen Orr

  

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  Short Description for Wojtek the BearThe inspiring true story of one of the Second World War's most unusual combatants - a 500-pound cigarette-smoking, beer-drinking brown bear. First mascot for the Polish Army in Iran, then fully enlisted 'soldier', he remains a potent symbol of freedom and solidarity for Poles around the world.
  Full description

  • Publisher: BIRLINN LTD
  • Published: 02 November 2010
  • Format: Hardback 224 pages
  • See: Full bibliographic data
  • Categories: Battles & Campaigns | General & World History | European History | 20th Century History: C 1900 To C 2000 | Military History | Second World War | Wildlife: Mammals
  • ISBN 13: 9781841588452 ISBN 10: 1841588458
  • Sales rank: 20,012

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Full description for Wojtek the Bear

• This is the inspiring true story of one of the Second World War's most unusual combatants - a 500-pound cigarette-smoking, beer-drinking brown bear. Originally adopted as a mascot by the Polish Army in Iran, Wojtek soon took on a more practical role, carrying heavy mortar rounds for the troops and going on to play his part as a fully enlisted 'soldier' with his own rank and number during the Italian campaign. After the war, Wojtek, along with some of his Polish compatriots from II Corps, came to Berwickshire, where he became a significant member of the local community before subsequently moving to Edinburgh Zoo. Wojtek's retirement was far from quiet: a potent symbol of freedom and solidarity for Poles around the world, he attracted a huge amount of media interest that shows no sign of abating more than 45 years after his death. In an extended introduction, journalist and historian Neal Ascherson reflects on the Polish experience in the Second World War and gives full recognition to the Poles' heroic sacrifice and the extraordinary influence they had on the countries in which they served.