| Wojtek the Bear: Polish War Hero Contributor(s): Ascherson, Neal (Author), Orr, Aileen (Author) |
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ISBN: 1843410656 ISBN-13: 9781843410652 Publisher: Birlinn OUR PRICE: $12.56 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: August 2014 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - History | Military - World War Ii - History | Eastern Europe - General - Nature | Animals - Bears |
| Dewey: 940.541 |
| LCCN: 2015300647 |
| Physical Information: 0.7" H x 5" W x 7.7" (0.50 lbs) 224 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - 1940's - Cultural Region - Eastern Europe - Cultural Region - Polish |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: This is the inspiring and charming true story of one of the Second World War's most unusual combatants - a 500-pound cigarettesmoking, 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' with his own rank and number during the Italian campaign. After the war, Wojtek, along with some of his Polish compatriots from II Corps, 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: a potent symbol of freedom and solidarity for Poles around the world, he attracted a huge amount of media interest that shows no sign of abating almost 50 years after his death. |