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The fascinating story behind WW2’s bear soldier

If you’re a World War 2 aficionado you might be aware of the famous Polish victory at the battl...

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16.39 28 Jan 2025


The fascinating story behind WW2’s bear soldier


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16.39 28 Jan 2025


If you’re a World War 2 aficionado you might be aware of the famous Polish victory at the battle of Monte Cassino.

What you may not know is that the 2nd Polish Corps counted among its ranks a beer-drinking, cigarette-loving Private who was, in fact, a bear!

Alan Pollock is a Playwright and author of ‘The Bear Who Went To War: The true story of Wotjek the bear cub adopted by Polish soldiers in World War Two’. He joins Seán to discuss.

Image: Polish Institute and Sikorski Museum


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