Today’s “Way back When” stars a literal one of one! Meet Wojtek was a Syrian brown bear adopted by Polish soldiers in Iran in 1942. The troops belonged to Anders’ Army, who had been released from Soviet camps and prisons after Germany invaded the Soviet Union.
Wojtek grew up among the soldiers, reportedly drinking beer, wrestling with them, riding in military vehicles, and even learning to salute.
When the unit was preparing to sail to Italy, regulations prohibited animals aboard the transport ship, so Wojtek was formally enlisted in the Polish Army as a private, complete with a service number and pay book.
After the war, he went with Polish veterans to Scotland and later lived at Edinburgh Zoo, where former soldiers reportedly visited him. He remained there until 1963.
