Wojtek the Bear: Polish War Hero

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’. After the war, Wojtek 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: he attracted a huge amount of media interest that shows no sign of abating more than 45 years after his death.