Advertisement

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...

Share this article

16.39 28 Jan 2025


The fascinating story behind WW2’s bear soldier


Listen to this episode


Share this article

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


Read more about

Moncrieff Highlights

Related Episodes

The Irish experience of life i...

00:20:11

The Irish experience of life in Philadelphia

The Hard Shoulder

00:20:11


Gateway to Europe: Wrapping up...

00:08:50

Gateway to Europe: Wrapping up this year’s trip

The Hard Shoulder

00:08:50


Has the Irish flag been “hijac...

00:11:33

Has the Irish flag been “hijacked”?

The Hard Shoulder

00:11:33


Why you shouldn’t feed the bir...

00:07:51

Why you shouldn’t feed the birds this summer

The Hard Shoulder

00:07:51