My early years with my friends
Wojtek was a huge bear who carried shells for Polish soldiers during the battle at Monte Cassino. He was found by the Poles in Persia(now Iran) as an orphaned cub & he grew into a beautiful bear. He was loved by the whole Polish army & became totally tame. After the war he ended up in Edinburgh zoo. For most of the time he apparently hid in his cave & did not react to the crowds who came to see the famous Polish bear. Only when the Polish ex-soldiers came to see him & spoke Polish to him, he'd cheerfully reappear He died famous and well-loved, in Edinburgh Zoo in 1964, aged 22.- Wojtek is now a hero of the BBC & he's got his monument in Edinburgh zoo!
Captain Adam Kipiniak left hand side 1943 (22nd Transport company)
Further Information following the life of Wojtek.
Richard Paudyn has wrote an srticle on Wojtek which has been published in the Goniec newspaper in Canada. 13-19 May 2005 www.goniec.net
My name is Richard Paudyn and I served in the Polish 2-nd Corps in Italy. I am fascinated by the story of Wojtek and I am collecting all the materials that would involve this wonderful bear. (Memories, pictures etc. ) I am planning to write an article, which would initially appear in the Polish Combatants periodical distributed all over the world.
During the visit in Poland I was contacted by a film producer,who wanted to a movie on the subject of Wojtek. Unfortunately to this day she could not collect enough funds. All help from you would be very much appreciated.
Richard Paudyn Click here to view Polish article not translated.
email:- arpaudyn@rogers.com
Photos with kind permission from the Polish Institute Sikorski Museum(PISM) http://www.pism.co.uk
Lance Corp Florian Skurat far right with unknown soldiers, Possibly 1st Krechowiecki Lancers Regiment can someone help with the names?
Photo courtesy of Donna Speers, Canada.
Wojtek with Stanislaw Krol
Andrew’s dad is the chap at the back in shorts and without a hat, his name is Sylwester Gnatowski.
