Scotland honors Nazi-fighting Polish army bear

The accomplishments of the ursine allies of World War II are often overlooked, but not by the city of Edinburgh. They’re building a $318,000 monument to honor “Private Wojtek,” a 500-pound brown bear that served in the Polish Army in the fight against the Axis before retiring to the Edinburgh zoo.
“Wojtek” translates to “the happy warrior,” and the bear’s contribution to the Polish military effort was largely non-combative. He was an unofficial mascot for the 22nd Army Corps, providing much-needed entertainment and distraction during brutal desert warfare.
But Wojtek’s greatest moment may have come when he voluntarily braved Nazi fire to help soldiers unload artillery shells at the Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944.
“Wojtek may be most famous for assisting his fellow soldiers in carrying the shells, but really the value was in the effect his presence had on morale,” said Alan Herriot, the monument’s sculptor.
“I was very keen to depict that close friendship they enjoyed with him, as well as the entertainment and laughter he brought to the troops. We are also talking to people about raising a similar statue in Warsaw and Monte Cassino.”
“It’s not just about the bear, it is also to commemorate the part the Polish played in the Second World War.”
The monument will feature Wojtek’s ‘Keeper’, a soldier named Peter Prendys, with his hand on the bear’s shoulder.