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WW2 Rare Period Polish Photo of Wojtek Bear

£374.99

1943, Middle East, 87mm x 64mm

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A private and to our knowledge unpublished photograph of Wojtek – the famous bear soldier of the 22nd Supply Company. The photographs of Wojtek at a young age playing with soldiers in the Middle East. A standing soldier to the front has a visible Polish Eagle Cap badge. Inscribed to the reverse.

“Koledze z mile wspomnianego byłego Oddziału O.R z Guzarnu (?) Janek —– (?), 11.VII.43r.”

 “To friend, with nice memories from the former unit O.R from Guzarna (?), Janek —- (?) 11.VII.43r.

Guzarna, is most likely a location somewhere in the Middle East.

A rare object. 

Wojtek accompanied the 2nd Polish Corps through the Italian Campaign, serving with the 22nd Artillery Supply Company. During the Battle of Monte Cassino, in Italy in 1944, Wojtek helped move crates of ammunition and became a celebrity with visiting Allied generals and statesmen. After the war, once the Polish army was disbanded Wojtek lived out the rest of his life at the Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland. 

 The 22nd Supply Company is most famous for its bear soldier “Wojtek” which became the symbol of the company and the legend of the Polish Army in Exile.