Wojtek the Soldier Bear

[@nataliamach7248]

Beautiful. Warms a heart of a Pole, stuck in Scotland and missing her fatherland dearly. Thank you.

[@ErnestoTani]

His amazing history deserves an movie.

[@sailordoc7454]

Please not by Hollywood or even one of those dreadful Pixar animated ones with exaggerated expressions 🙏🏽

[@duanemcclure8324]

It's on its way now! I saw it when I googled it. It's called "Wojtek: the bear that went to war".

[@dorotabarbowska2184]

@@sailordoc7454 Seeing what the industry is doing to old good stories I'm afraid that to even if Woytek as a BROWN bear and would fit in the woke policy, his companions would have to become at least gay if not trans ..🤔

[@goostec33]

Scots and Poles have always been good pals! Thank You for this video 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇵🇱💪 Cześć i Chwała BOHATEROM! Greetings from Poland

[@theyellowdukesscotland499]

Thanks, The Knick. Glad you liked the video.

[@polishoskar2039]

@@theyellowdukesscotland499 hello the yellow Duke is there a yearly date where there is a memorial meeting for wojtek maybe or was this just a one time thing as I would like to attend if there is any dates scheduled thanks

[@theyellowdukesscotland499]

@@polishoskar2039 I am sorry but I have been unable to discover if a memorial service is planned for 2020. If there is, then it is likely to be around the 11th May, the anniversary of the final battle of Monte Cassino - Wojtek's finest hour. There may well be other commemorative events around that time and not just in Scotland. In May 2019, for instance, there was a documentary film screened in London. So look out for these kind of events in early May. If I hear of another memorial service in Edinburgh, I will post the details here. Thanks for your interest, Polish Oskar, and Best Wishes.

[@theyellowdukesscotland499]

@@polishoskar2039 ***UPDATE*** Good news! I can now confirm that there is a service at the Wojtek Memorial statue in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh on Saturday 30 May 2020 at 11 am. Everyone is welcome.

[@damiancsgomaid4638]

Thank You for video, Wojtek always in our hearts, our Polish hero !! Thank You Scotland for memory !

[@theyellowdukesscotland499]

Thank you, Damian. I am so pleased you liked the video.

[@reinildasantiagomerlo8526]

This is very inspiring. I had no idea of this beautiful story. It made me feel very proud of the polish soldiers and of Wojtek. A special bond between soldiers that will last forever. A true Band of Brothers.

[@krzysztofmichalik9310]

Beautiful history, beautiful statue and beautiful Scottish-Polish event! :)

[@theyellowdukesscotland499]

Thank you, Krzysztof.

[@Dreju78]

Long live Poland, long live Scotland! Wojtek, you were a good bear..

[@davidkerr2830]

Wojtek was a legend. Excellent video

[@jonathanbosco8458]

Thank you for the wonderful video. God Bless

[@theyellowdukesscotland499]

Thanks, Jonathan.

[@tonysluka]

My Dear departed Dad was in 22nd company. Told me about Wojtek. Everyone loved him apparently!

[@theyellowdukesscotland499]

Thanks very much for commenting, Tony. That's really interesting. Yes, Wojtek seems to have been universally popular - and still is! Did your father tell you any stories about Wojtek that I didn't cover in the video? It would be good to hear a new one.

[@tonysluka]

@@theyellowdukesscotland499 hello! Sadly I don't have any more stories re Wojtek as Dad never got close to him, but he did tell me after one victory the Bear marched into town ahead of the company dragging artillery shells on chains. Will always stick in my memory. Your video is awesome, after Dad's recent death it means a lot to learn more about his past. Thank you!

[@petercsigo9935]

The freedom that we enjoy today all around the world is solely due to the sacrifice made in world war II of everyday man and woman and a bear.

[@slyplaymike1]

Thank you that was lovely

[@zachar251]

Wojtek ❤️

[@jurassicpike5251]

Wojtek Polski żołnierz piękna historia PL

[@wanttosayadrem2551]

It's really amazing story and very interesting video. My respect also for the artist, designer of that beautiful statue

[@richardbourne6660]

What a beautiful inspirational story also there's a fantastic Scottish band called wojtek the bear who are well worth checking out infact they've recently brought out a brand new record. Beautiful video thankyou

[@theyellowdukesscotland499]

Hello, Richard. I checked out the band Wojtek the Bear - yeah, great sound. Pity I hadn't heard of them when I made the video; I would have mentioned them. Still, we've mentioned them now. Thanks for that. Always good to get extra information.

[@zastal]

Thanks for the video, Greetings from Poland.

[@theyellowdukesscotland499]

You're welcome, Adam. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@duanemcclure8324]

This is one of the coolest stories I've ever heard about WW2. Not only did he party like the rest of them, he was twice as strong. He worked for hours, going back and forth, carrying crate after crate of ammo and it actually turned the tide of that battle in favor of the allies! How cool is that? Damn, I've had apprentices who weren't that smart! If my apprentices worked that hard, it might turn the tide of our contracts..

[@theyellowdukesscotland499]

Glad you liked the video, Duane. I had to smile at your comments about your apprentices. Yes, the Wojtek story is amazing but it's true. I read about a Scottish soldier who was fighting at Monte Cassino when he saw Wojtek appear from nowhere carrying a shell. He couldn't believe his eyes but then minutes later he saw the bear again carrying another shell. When he got back to Scotland he told this story to everyone - who of course all thought he was mad. He was vindicated though when Wojtek was sent to Edinburgh Zoo and his war exploits became well known.

[@irekkur3210]

SUPER !

[@theyellowdukesscotland499]

There is another service taking place at the statue on Saturday May 30 2020 at 11 am. Everyone is welcome.

[@weronikaorenczak102]

Ja to się cieszę, że Miś Wojtek przeżył ten wojenny niebezpieczny szlak, szczególnie niebezpieczne dla misia było Monte Casino, oglądałam wiele filmów o "Wojtku " , za każdym razem kończę oglądanie historii jego życia z łezka w oku, bo któż by się nie wzruszył koniecznością rozstania misia z jego opiekunami od dzieciństwa, towarzyszami niedoli. Cóż z tego, że miał dobre, czy bardzo dobre warunki w zoo, gdy nie mógł słyszeć na codzień polskiej mowy od polskich żołnierzy z którymi się tak bardzo zżył . . . 😔 Myślałam, że misie żyją dłużej (40 lat 😉) , ale gdy się dowiedziałam, że ok.20 lat, czyli połowę z tego co myślałam, a Wojtek przeżył nawet 22 lata, to bardzo dobrze dbali o niego polscy żołnierze, a przecież trzeba pamiętać, że to była wojna, nie było sklepów zaopatrzeniem dla niedźwiedzi😉, przydział żołnierski jaki miał Wojtek na dzień. .. to pewnie dla żołnierza wystarczyłoby dla tydzień 😉, ale Wojtek odpracowywal to noszeniem amunicji i swoją obecnością wzmacnial ducha bojowego żołnierzy 😊

[@theyellowdukesscotland499]

I am very sorry, Weronika, I do not speak Polish. Are you able to provide an English translation?

[@theyellowdukesscotland499]

Znalazłem tłumaczkę, Weronikę. Tak, Wojtek podniósł morale żołnierzy i nadal jest inspiracją. Wielkie dzięki za miłe słowa.

[@sebundead4706]

Glory to the heroes.

[@theyellowdukesscotland499]

There is an event coming up which may be of interest to viewers of this video. WOJTEK'S DAY 2023 Saturday 20 May 2pm - 6pm Part One: The Wojtek the Bear Memorial in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh Part Two: The Parish Church of St Cuthbert, 5 Lothian Road, Edinburgh. See WOJTEKSCOTLAND Facebook page for more details.

[@pitabilud5026]

This history is truly and sad in the end but it's worth show in movie

[@Arcadius80]

Unfortunately Churchill and American's sold Poland to Russian communism and Poles couldn't back home even English people call to Poles : go back home. England, France and America betrayed us. That's the sad truth.

[@Tigercuddle]

THE BEAR , Polish Bear !!!, how wonderful !! , Woytek was the mascot , to keep morale of soldiers , and was helping too , no question ask , but HOW COME , British Nation remember bear , and salute to animal putting a statue of him , bat a the same time deny sacrifice of thousand of Polish soldiers who gave theirs lives defending Britain ??? , . It's a shame on you Britain even today after all of this years.

[@theyellowdukesscotland499]

Thanks for your comments, Tigercuddle. Tony Blair did issue a formal apology for the Poles not being invited to the Victory Parade in 1945 and subsequent commemoration ceremonies. Justice was finally done though when the Poles led the march down the Mall during the 2005 ceremony. Actually most ordinary Brits were well aware and appreciative of the sacrifice that the Poles made in the Battle of Britain and other theatres of war. Certainly my parents and their friends often talked about it, even if our government did not officially recognise it. Wojtek is playing his part in helping people remember the contribution of Polish soldiers in the Italian Campaign and I like to think that this heroic bear is bringing our two freedom-loving peoples closer together in a way no human being could.

[@michaelscofield6176]

Agreed. We should appreciate and acknowledge everyone involved and come together threw this amazing story. I like to see conversation between individuals like you’ve both shown here. It is very rare these days.

[@slayer9240]

Most British adults are well aware of what the Polish soldiers did in word war 2 . Especially during the Battle of Britain and the battle of Monte cassino. And if memory serves me right the reason Britain entered World War II was because of the Germans invading Poland.

[@cokurde]

@@slayer9240 check what british gov did before GB join the war. British gov used us twice and after war as a part of anglo-saxon "family" just sold us for few years of peace of mind. commie animals were so happy, anglosaxons were happy too. we and milions of people in this part of world still pay for peace for islanders. but its ok. we are stronger due few decades under regime. we see what is goin on now and we will be ready to help, as always. but this time brits and company will have to pay for our help. just like we paid for british help

[@saiyaneater4877]

How come there’s no documentary movie about this?!

[@theyellowdukesscotland499]

There was a documentary made in 2011 called Wojtek: The Bear That Went To War. I haven't seen it myself. It's hard to get hold of and is unavailable on Amazon. There is a book I can recommend called Wojtek the Bear written by Aileen Orr.

[@Drokis-c3f]

I watched a video about this bear I think it was cool how he was part of the army shame that we was given to us Scots at the end of his service I think we would of been happy back in his, county and his brother in arms

[@theyellowdukesscotland499]

It was unsafe for the Polish soldiers to return to Poland after the war and they did not want Wojtek going there either. They knew the bear would be used for propaganda purposes by the new communist regime. The soldiers had been prisoners of Stalin at the start of the war and they knew very well what they were fighting for - freedom. Not totalitarianism in either its fascist or communist forms. But today it could be said Wojtek did return to Poland - the statue stands on a slab of Polish granite! 🙂

[@The_Robert.Fletcher]

The Minister said that there was going to be an annual service I am unable to find any current links for this. Can someone help me, I would like to come up.

[@roofis8121]

Since when was this statue placed

[@theyellowdukesscotland499]

It was unveiled on the 7th of November 2015.

[@roofis8121]

@@theyellowdukesscotland499 thanks for the info i might wanna come by and see it someday

[@bogdanzimnoch5023]

Wojtek is an abbreviation of Wojciech, the Old Slavonic name means the one who enjoys war.

[@theyellowdukesscotland499]

Thanks Bogdan. I have heard it translated as "Happy Warrior" but "the one who enjoys war" is better I think.

[@stivi739]

Exactly azone