LOOSE CHANGE: APRIL 6, 2025

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The E-Sylum: Volume 28, Number 14, 2025, Article 25

LOOSE CHANGE: APRIL 6, 2025

Here are some additional items in the media this week that may be of interest. -Editor

Wojtek, Polish Army Bear Soldier

We often discuss the medals awarded to animals for their bravery. Many are for dogs, but cats, pigeons and even a horse have been honored for their helpful actions. How about bear? Today I came across the WWII story of Wojtek, a brown bear who assisted Polish troops. I found no references to Wojtek receiving a medal, but for illustration added what the seller described as "WW2 Polish 22nd Artillery Supply Company Collar Badge Wojtek" -Editor

Wojtek arrived at the 22nd Artillery Supply Company of the Polish II Corps by happenstance, when a young Iranian shepard traded the orphaned bear for a Swiss army knife, some chocolate, and canned beef. The Polish soldiers received a tiny cub in a burlap sack, who was placed under the care of a soldier named Peter Prendys. To everyone's delight, the animal quickly assimilated, and in 1944 he became Private Wojtek, meaning joyful warrior in Polish. He was fed double rations, often washing it down with a beer.

Wojtek's antics provided much-needed entertainment, but he was more than just a pet. The bear proved his worth on the battlefield when his company was reassigned to Italy. Eyewitness reports from May 1944, during the Battle of Monte Cassino, purport that Wojtek bravely carried artillery shells and ammo crates across the battlefield. After the battle, the company changed its insignia to a bear holding an artillery shell, and Wojtek was promoted to corporal.

For the complete article and more, see:
A brown bear became an army corporal during WWII. (https://historyfacts.com/world-history/fact/brown-bear-fought-in-wwii/)
Wojtek (bear) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wojtek_(bear))
The Story of Wojtek | The Polish Military Bear (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlp5K5T91jo)
WW2 Polish 22nd Artillery Supply Company Collar Badge Wojtek (https://sarmatia-antiques.com/product/ww2-polish-22nd-artillery-supply-company-collar-badge-wojtek/)

Wayne Homren, Editor

The Numismatic Bibliomania Society is a non-profit organization promoting numismatic literature. See our web site at coinbooks.org.

To submit items for publication in The E-Sylum, write to the Editor at this address: whomren@gmail.com

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