Wojtek the Bear

Author: Aileen Orr
Publisher: Birlinn
ISBN: 0857900056
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 234

Book Description
This is the inspiring and charming true story of one of the Second World War's most unusual combatants - a 500-pound cigarettesmoking, 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 almost 50 years after his death.

Wojtek: War Hero Bear

Author: Jenny Robertson
Publisher: Birlinn
ISBN: 0857907972
Category : Young Adult Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 162

Book Description
When a tiny orphaned bear cub is adopted by Polish soldiers during World War II, little does anyone know that little Wojtek will become one of the bravest fighters of them all. As the soldiers train to take part in some of the fiercest fighting of the war, Wojtek grows up, providing headaches and laughter in equal measure as he learns to drink beer, chase horses and wrestle with his human friends. But at Monte Cassino, as the Allies try and dislodge German troops from their mountain-top eyrie, Wojtek, now a fully signed-up solider with his own rank and number, comes into his own, dodging the bullets to carry ammunition to his comrades as they inch their way to victory. After the war, the Polish solders move to Scotland. Wojtek comes too and soon becomes the centre of attention in a new country. But with hostilities ended, how long can he keep his freedom? Best-selling children's author Jenny Robertson explores the themes of friendship and trust in this moving and inspirational story.

Soldier Bear

Author: Bibi Dumon Tak
Publisher: Eerdmans Young Readers
ISBN: 0802853757
Category : Juvenile Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 78

Book Description
Winner of the 2012 Batchelder Award Based on a real series of events that happened during World War II, Soldier Bear tells the story of an orphaned bear cub adopted by a group of Polish soldiers in Iran. The soldiers raise the bear and eventually enlist him as a soldier to ensure that he stays with the company. He travels with them from Iran to Italy, and then on to Scotland. Voytek's mischief gets him into trouble along with way, but he also provides some unexpected encouragement for the soldiers amidst the reality of war: Voytek learns to carry bombs for the company, saves the camp from a spy, and keeps them constantly entertained with his antics. Always powerful and surprising, Bibi Dumon Tak's story offers readers a glimpse at this fascinating piece of history.

Wojtek

Author: Alan Pollock Alan
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781910646410
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 32

Book Description
View more details of this book at www.walkerbooks.com.au

Private Wojtek

Author: Krystyna Mikula-Deegan
Publisher: Troubador Publishing
ISBN: 9781780880037
Category : Animals
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
'Private Wojtek - Soldier Bear' is based on the true story of a real Persian brown bear cub 'sold' mainly for food and some money by a starving young Persian boy to Polish soldiers stationed in the Middle East during World War II.

War Bear

Author: Wojciech Filaber
Publisher: Matador
ISBN: 9781800461017
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 232

Book Description
Based on true events, this is the story of an orphaned bear cub, who found an unlikely solace in the company of the Polish Army. Wojtek the 'Soldier Bear' was the mascot of the 22nd Polish Transport Company during World War II. When the Polish soldiers found him in appalling conditions, they took him in and his life changed forever.

Wojtek

Author: Jenny Robertson
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 0857907972
Category : Young Adult Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 153

Book Description
An amazing story of a furry World War II hero that will entertain and engage readers of all ages. When a tiny orphaned bear cub is adopted by Polish soldiers during World War II, little does anyone know that little Wojtek will become one of the bravest fighters of them all! As the soldiers train to take part in some of the fiercest fighting of the war, Wojtek grows up, providing headaches and laughter in equal measure as he learns to drink beer, chase horses, and wrestle with his human friends. But at Monte Cassino, as the Allies try and dislodge German troops from their mountaintop eyrie, Wojtek, now a fully signed-up solider with his own rank and number, comes into his own, dodging the bullets to carry ammunition to his comrades as they inch their way to victory. After the war, the Polish solders move to Scotland. Wojtek comes too and soon becomes the center of attention in a new country. But with hostilities ended, how long can he keep his freedom? Bestselling author Jenny Robertson explores the themes of friendship and trust in this moving and inspirational story.

No Greater Ally

Author: Kenneth K. Koskodan
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1780962223
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 273

Book Description
An in-depth history of the Polish soldiers who served in World War 2, with previously unpublished first-hand accounts and rare photographs. There is a chapter of World War II history that remains largely untold; the monumental struggles of an entire nation have been forgotten, and even intentionally obscured. This book gives a full overview of Poland's participation in World War II. Following their valiant but doomed defence of Poland in 1939, members of the Polish armed forces fought with the Allies wherever and however they could. Full of previously unpublished accounts, and rare photographs, this title provides a detailed analysis of the devastation the war brought to Poland, and the final betrayal when, having fought for freedom for six long years, Poland was handed to the Soviet Union.

Sea Dog Bamse

Author: Angus Whitson
Publisher: Birlinn
ISBN: 0857900455
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 148

Book Description
This is the remarkable story of one of the Second World War's most unusual animal heroes - a 14-stone St Bernard dog who became global mascot for the Royal Norwegian Forces and a symbol of freedom and inspiration for Allied troops throughout Europe. From a happy and carefree puppyhood spent as a family pet in the Norwegian fishing town of Honningsvag, the gentle giant Bamse followed his master at the outbreak of the war to become a registered crew member of the mine-sweeper Thorodd. Often donning his own steel helmet as he took his place in the Thorodd's bow gun turret, Bamse cut an impressive figure and made a huge contribution to the morale of the crew, and he gallantly saved the lives of two of them. After Norway fell to the Germans in 1940, the Thorodd operated from Dundee and Montrose, where Bamse became a well-known and much-loved figure, shepherding the Thorodd's crew-members back to the boat at pub closing time, travelling on the local buses, breaking up fights and even taking part in football matches. Mourned both by locals and Norwegians when he died in 1944, Bamse's memory has been kept alive both in Norway, where he is still regarded as a national hero, and in Montrose, where a larger-than-life statue of him was unveiled in 2006 by HRH Prince Andrew. Written from extensive source material and eyewitness accounts, Sea Dog Bamse is a fitting tribute to the extraordinary life of an extraordinary dog.

Wojtek

Author: Bob Moulder
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781913802905
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 88

Book Description
Wojtek: The Bear Who Went to War, by Bob Moulder and Moy McCrory, is an uplifting tale from WW2 based on the exploits of a Syrian brown bear and the Polish soldiers who adopted him as a mascot, friend and colleague.