Wojtek Feeding Cigarette (Soldier Bear)
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Cigarettes and beer
Wojtek was adopted by what became known as the 22nd Artillery Supply Company of the Polish II Corps. "He really was feeling like a member of our small military family," says Mr Narebski.
Now the 86-year-old professor of geochemistry and petrology has travelled from his home in Krakow, Poland, to London for the UK premiere of the documentary, Wojtek - The Bear That Went To War.
The film is narrated by actor Brian Blessed and consists of a mixture of interviews, reconstructions, contemporary stills and animation. It recounts the epic wartime journey to Scotland made by Wojtek and his comrades in arms, as they supplied the front line.
It took them to Iraq and Egypt and when they wanted to take Wojtek on a ship to Italy he had to be officially enlisted as a soldier.
"He had a pay book. He didn't receive money, but was officially a Polish soldier," Mr Narebski says. Because of his size Wojtek received double rations.
He says Wojtek liked play-fighting and boxing with his colleagues and asking for unlit cigarettes, which he would eat. Wojtek also had a liking for beer. "For him one bottle was nothing, he was weighing 200kg [440 lb]. He didn't get drunk."
Mr Narebski says Wojtek was brought up not to be a danger to humans. "He was very quiet, very peaceful." However, he did take a dislike to a monkey and another bear, who had also been adopted by troops.
He says Wojtek helped keep up the troops' morale. "For people who are far from families, far from their home country, from a psychological viewpoint, it was very important."
Source : https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-15736812
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