WW2 Polish troops secret weapon? A smoking and drinking 250lb BEAR

[The Straight Story]

Introducing Voytek the beer-drinking, cigarette-smoking 'soldier bear' of World War Two
By BETH HALE - More by this author » Last updated at 18:33pm on 25th January 2008


Weighing a formidable 250lb and standing more than 6ft tall his towering, hairy bulk must have been a fearsome sight on the frontline.

Voytek the bear - who relaxed with a cigarette and a bottle of beer - was the secret weapon of the Polish troops during the Second World War.

Known as the "soldier bear" he saw action at Monte Cassino, in Italy, before being billeted - along with about 3,000 other Polish troops - at a camp in the Scottish borders.

And like any other combatant, he is even said to have had an official name, rank and number.

Now a campaign is underway to build a permanent British memorial to the remarkable bear who fought so valiantly for the Allied forces and lived out his final days in Edinburgh Zoo.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=510452&in_page_id=1811

[rockymountaindem]

1. Wow

I'm speechless.

[The Straight Story]

7. And that's rare

:rofl: (just kidding!)

[rockymountaindem]

9. No, it really is!

I've never heard of that before. I'm glad the bear pulled through the war alright. If there were a statue of him, I'd take a picture of it!

[RebelOne]

2. Awww. What a great story.

[annabanana]

3. That is a great story.. . .n/t-

[Elspeth]

4. Is the bear interested in running for the GOP ticket?

:)

[caraher]

10. Can they "swift boat" a bear? nt

[fenriswolf]

5. that is the neatest story ever. I have a huge grin on my face.

thanks.

[meegbear]

6. w00t!

:woohoo:

[Jed Dilligan]

8. I wonder if I'm the only one

who expected this to be about a big, fat, hairy, gay war hero...

Great story!

[The Straight Story]

11. Yes, you were the only one

:rofl:

[Jed Dilligan]

13. Hey

I was right about everything but the gay part!

[Nailzberg]

12. Can't wait until the writer's strike is over!

I smell a Voytek: Soldier Bear biopic coming.

[The Straight Story]

14. I'd go see it

But then it would be rated R cause he was smoking... :)