DOCSLIB.ORG

{FREE} Wojtek the Bear: Polish War Hero Ebook, Epub

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
{FREE} Wojtek the Bear: Polish War Hero Ebook, Epub WOJTEK THE BEAR: POLISH WAR HERO PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Aileen Orr | 224 pages | 19 Jul 2014 | Birlinn General | 9781843410652 | English | Edinburgh, United Kingdom Wojtek the Bear: Polish War Hero PDF Book For a while it lived on the Scottish Borders while the Poles were housed in a DP camp near Berwick upon Tweed, but ultimately it spent the final years of its life in Edinburgh Zoo. He became an attraction for soldiers and civilians alike, and soon became an unofficial mascot to all the units stationed nearby. Reading as I do on various wars and battles of interest to me and while keeping the larger event in front of me. And I like Wojtek. To get around this restriction, Wojtek was officially drafted into the Polish Army as a private and listed among the soldiers of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company. Perhaps it would have worked better as part of a collection of contextual material e. Cigarettes and beer. The second part is more about modern times, ho Okay Already have an account? The anecdotes in this book were related to her by an old man. So therefore he felt that these soldiers are nearly his parents and therefore he trusted in us and was very friendly," Wojciech Narebski, a Polish soldier who spent three years alongside Wojtek during the war, told the BBC in The first half is dedicated to Wojtek, who he was and how he came to be the mascot, his journey in the Middle East and Italy, his escapades, then his life in Scotland after the war, and then in the Edinburgh Zoo. One day the bear entered the tent and disturbed a local opponent of British rule who had sneaked into the camp in the hope of stealing ammunition. Drink the ale on his way to the fair! Escape the Present with These 24 Historical Romances. Overall Soldier Bear by Aileen Orr taught me a lot about friendship and influences. I'm not sure why I didn't care for it as much as I thought I would since the bear did do all that. Average rating 3. The Polish soldiers, who were released by Russia after the German invasion in , were passing through the Middle East on their way back to Europe. He lugged the ammo, all the way to the fair! Put today's news in context and see highlights from the archives. He was almost human. Refresh and try again. Mr Narebski says that on one summer's day when they were driving along Italy's Adriatic coast near Ancona, Wojtek spotted the sea. It was difficult for him to correspond with his former comrades who stayed in Scotland because of the restrictions in Poland, but he never forgot Wojtek. In either event, to deny the Poles a part in the official VE Day celebrations was adding insult to injury. This story is wonderful - but heartbreaking as well as heartwarming at times. Birlinn Publishers. Retrieved 31 March A cigarette smoking, beer guzzling, wrestling bear conscripted into the Polish military. Following demobilisation on 15 November , Wojtek was given to Edinburgh Zoo , where he spent the rest of his life, often visited by journalists and former Polish soldiers, some of whom tossed cigarettes for him to eat, as he did during his time in the army. Lists with This Book. It would make a great "family" viewing type of film, if there was a studio that would take up such a project. Fantastic story of one of World War 2s strangest war "heroes", Wojtek the Soldier Bear who lived with a Polish battalion and aided his comrades at Monte Casino. Wojtek carried boxes that normally required 4 men, which he would stack onto a truck or other ammunition boxes. It is thought the cub's mother was shot by hunters. In one interview, a British veteran tells how he was taken aback one day to see the 1. So give this one a read, and you can thank me later. There was also a great afterword, which detailed a good deal of the recent history of modern Poland, which was very much appreciated. I wish I had read another book about that bear, this one is misguided. We were in the gift shop at Edinburgh zoo. Those soldiers who chose to return to Poland were often branded traitors and many died under the Stalinist regime. As we watched, suddenly out of the wood came a large bear, walking on its hind legs. There is, undoubtedly, a very heavy leavening of anthropomorphism in the anecdotes that Orr has collected from those who served with and encountered Wojtek. May 24, Igor Ljubuncic rated it liked it Shelves: ww-2 , history , aileen-orr. Wojtek the Bear: Polish War Hero Writer To Poland and "to your health! Of course there was Wojtek himself! Drink the ale on his way to the fair! If he decided to stop and lie down for a bit, a titbit or two at either end of his supplies run could reinvigorate his war effort. Edinburgh Evening News. Even with the extended epilogue of historical context written by someone with a drier yet less irksome st This book was a gift and I'm not sure I would have read it otherwise, to be honest. Harvey's project is being set up for release on the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day on May 8, Everyone including the soldiers wanted to go home and see their families after the war, but what would happen to Wojtek? It would have been easy for them to become bitter and vengeful men, but their tender feelings were nurtured and preserved by the need to care for their little charge, and then to keep him out of trouble as he grew into a lb furry ball of mischief. There's a little something there to appeal to a variety of readers, old or young. Nov 16, Shane Moore rated it really liked it Shelves: non-fiction , female-author , history. But commanding officers, it seems, were as much putty in Wojtek's paws as were his comrades. More filters. One of the odder animal stories of World War II has been turned into a documentary. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Mr Narebski says Wojtek was brought up not to be a danger to humans. For your security, we've sent a confirmation email to the address you entered. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. I learned many things about the history of the times, and not just the Second World War. He had been weaned and raised by the soldiers who saved from an almost certain horrendous life as a dancing bear and he clearly thought he was human. Retrieved 31 March Update preferences. Subscriber Account active since. It is also said that when the Poles came to prepare their traditional Christmas Eve feast, they discovered that Wojtek had got into the food store first, trashing it while gulping down anything that looked tasty for a bear. To get around this restriction, Wojtek was officially drafted into the Polish Army as a private and listed among the soldiers of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company. Regulations for the British transport ship, which was to carry them to Italy, forbade mascot and pet animals. The Poles continued fighting side-by-side with the Scots, when it became clear that Hitler had overrun Poland and their homeland had been destroyed. The book in interesting, but Ms. Wojtek ate all of the soldiers food and stole their hearts with just one look. A bear who ends up being a symbol of love and friendship. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Once I had read the story, I googled to find out more and it seems that a film is being commissioned about Wojtek - that in itself is a wonderful tribute which will mean his memory will continue in the hearts and minds of others. Daily Coronavirus Briefing. Comments Share your thoughts and debate the big issues. Wojtek the Bear: Polish War Hero Reviews But, I would recommend the book. Sep 16, Anna Paluszkiewicz rated it really liked it. He was obviously a mischievous bear, and the stories the soldiers told were funny and cute. He was given milk from a bottle, like a baby. Create a commenting name to join the debate Submit. Log in. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission. Many of these soldiers were illiterate in Polish, and never learned exactly what happened to their families after they left Poland. This book has two parts. Escape the Present with These 24 Historical Romances. Behind the Name. Not only does this tell Wojtek's story but also relays the fates of the wonderful Polish soldiers who could not be repatriated immediately, and in some cases not at all, following the conclusion of the war. While asleep, his grunts and snorts, with the occasional wind release from either end, made him a less than boon companion. He is ascribed motives and emotions that can only be projections and speculation. Wojtek soon became popular among local civilians and the press, and the Polish-Scottish Association made him an honorary member. Wojtek also had a liking for beer. Wojtek truly was a hero, he helped carry supplies, caught a spy and was a huge morale boost for the troops. I don't think her research went beyond that. The part written by Aileen Orr is good enough, but she does repeat turns of phrase and nuggets of information, but I forgive her as it is clear she is an amateur enthusiast.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Deterrence of Fraud with EU Funds Through Investigative Journalism in EU-27
    DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR INTERNAL POLICIES POLICY DEPARTMENT D: BUDGETARY AFFAIRS Deterrence of fraud with EU funds through investigative journalism in EU-27 STUDY Abstract: The study depicts the state of investigative journalism in the 27 EU member states, with a focus on Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Spain, UK and a special focus on the interaction between European institutions and investigative journalists. It illustrates conditions promoting or impeding good investigative journalism in general, and in particular for reporting on fraud with EU funds and revenues. It recommends: a swift implementation of workable freedom of information laws across the EU, comprehensiveness of data provided by EU bodies and member states on their spending, targeted training for journalists, promotion of investigative centres and more cooperation between journalists and officials at EU and national levels, this in view of advanced transparency and helping citizens to understand the added value of EU spending. 17/10/2012 PE 490.663 EN This document was requested by the European Parliament's Committee on Budgetary Control. It designated Bart STAES, MEP, to follow the study. AUTHORS Principal author for Fonds Pascal Decroos: Margo Smit, director Vereniging van Onderzoeksjournalisten co-authors: Brigitte Alfter, Mar Cabra, Annamarie Cumiskey, Ides Debruyne, Marcos García Rey, Rafael Njotea, Albrecht Ude Rozenweg 4-B B-1731 Zellik Belgium RESPONSIBLE ADMINISTRATOR Helmut Werner Policy Department D: Budgetary Affairs European Parliament B-1047 Brussels E-mail: [email protected] LINGUISTIC VERSIONS Original: EN Translation executive summaries: DE, FR ABOUT THE EDITOR To contact the Policy Department or to subscribe to its newsletter please write to: [email protected] Manuscript completed in August 2012.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 2450 Words Private Wojtek: the Bear Who Became
    1 2450 words Private Wojtek: The Bear Who Became a Soldier by Duane Schultz ------ He wrestled, smoked and drank, and even got promoted Once upon a time—it was Wednesday, April 8, 1942, to be precise—a group of Polish soldiers in the Alborz Mountains of Iran came across a young boy carrying a small, emaciated, frightened, orphaned brown bear cub in a burlap sack. What the Polish soldiers were doing there is another story. They had been prisoners of the Russians, held in Siberian labor camps since 1939, when the Russia occupied eastern Poland at the same time the Germans held the western part. The Polish soldiers were part of a massive, brutal deportation of more than one million Polish citizens to camps deep inside Russian territory. Convoys of up to 100 trains transported more than 100,000 Polish people of all ages, who were locked in freight cars with no food, water or sanitation facilities. Those who survived 2 the weeks-long journey were settled in barren camps across Siberia; their average life span was one winter only. As part of that evacuation, Russians executed 22,000 Poles in the Katyn Forest. The massacred victims included 8000 Polish army officers, 7000 policemen and 7000 members of what the Russians termed the “intelligentsia”—university professors, lawyers, doctors, landowners, factory owners, and priests. The soldiers who reached Russia remained prisoners for two years, until Germany invaded in June, 1941. The Russians agreed to release the Poles to serve in the British Army that was fighting the Germans in the Middle East.
    [Show full text]
  • {PDF} Soldier Bear Ebook
    SOLDIER BEAR PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Bibi Dumon Tak | 158 pages | 28 Oct 2013 | William B Eerdmans Publishing Co | 9780802854360 | English | Grand Rapids, United States Wojtek (bear) - Wikipedia Soldier Bear. By: Bibi Dumon Tak. Illustrated By: Philip Hopman. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Wishlist Wishlist. Write a Review. Advanced Search Links. Product Close-up This product is not available for expedited shipping. Add To Cart. Absolutely Truly. Careful Enough. The Action Bible, Updated. Waxman at olivia. Dymitr Szawlugo, a Polish soldier who helped care for the bear, in Italy in late after the Battle of Monte Cassino. By Olivia B. Get our History Newsletter. Put today's news in context and see highlights from the archives. Please enter a valid email address. Sign Up Now. Check the box if you do not wish to receive promotional offers via email from TIME. You can unsubscribe at any time. By signing up you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thank you! A young woman, one of many refugees who were traveling with the troops offered to care for the bear, which subsequently travelled to Tehran with them. Adopted as a mascot by soldiers of the 4th Platoon, the bear was named Wojtek pronounced: Voytek and he swiftly became a great attraction. His favourite drink was beer, and he was soon enlisted with the 22 nd Artillery Supply company as a Private with his own pay-book and army serial number. Seemingly oblivious to the sound of gunfire, Wojtek took part in the Battle of Monte Casino, carrying many ammunition boxes and crates of food for his unit.
    [Show full text]
  • (1) the Star of Copernicus (Gwiazda Kopernika) – Based on a Polish Animation Film with English Subtitles
    TWO LEARNING UNITS FOR POLISH AS L3 (1) The Star of Copernicus (Gwiazda Kopernika) – based on a Polish animation film with English subtitles (2) Wojtek, War Hero Bear - book by Jenny Robertson GWIAZDA KOPERNIKA FOR POLISH AS L3 The project was prepared in partnership with the Glasgow University Arts Lab (led by Professor Dauvit Broun) and Education Scotland (represented by Louise Glen) The Project team consisted of: Shona Hugh (Education Scotland) Iza Rudzka (former GU Polish Lektor) Elwira Grossman (University of Glasgow) LEARNING POLISH IS AS EASY AS 1+2 L3 Learning Journey (Polish) is a ready package available on the platform GLOW to teachers who want to introduce pupils (age 9-11) and themselves to Polish The unit is based on a Polish animation entitled The Star of Copernicus (Gwiazda Kopernika) which fits the primary five curriculum perfectly It is primarily for children who are non-native speakers of Polish. However, learning Polish in a classroom could improve Polish children’s self-esteem and facilitate cross- cultural connections so the project aims to benefit both groups of learners THE LEARNING UNIT INCLUDES Pupil Activity Pack Teacher’s Notes for the film available on GWIAZDA KOPERNIKA (available on GLOW with English subtitles) L3 Learning Journey (general description) Sound files for all Polish words and expressions used in the unit We’re planning to add pp for classroom use For Scotland's learners, with Scotland's educators THE STAR OF COPERNICUS GWIAZDA KOPERNIKA In 2009, Andrzej Orzechowski and Zdzisław Kudła, made an animation film retelling a life story of the young Copernicus.
    [Show full text]
  • Soldier Bear Free
    FREE SOLDIER BEAR PDF Bibi Dumon Tak | 158 pages | 28 Oct 2013 | William B Eerdmans Publishing Co | 9780802854360 | English | Grand Rapids, United States Soldier Bear by Bibi Dumon Tak | Scholastic It is, perhaps, an unlikely way to honour a most unlikely Soldier Bear hero. While The Snowman showed a child flying with an enchanted snowman to the sounds of Walking in the Air sung by a choirboy, A Bear Named Wojtek will feature the Battle of Monte Cassinowhich left 75, people killed or wounded. As he seeks a funding partner, however, ex- Snowman producer Iain Harvey should be able Soldier Bear show that A Bear Named Wojtek has the tear-jerking potential to match War Horsewhich explored the bonds forged between humans and animals during the carnage of the First World War. It began in the Alborz Mountains of northern Iran when a brown bear cub was orphaned by hunters who shot his mother. Then in the autumn of Soldier Bear boy and the bear cub met Soldier Bear group of Polish soldiers, who were moving through Iran en route for Iraq. By then, the growing bear cub looked tired and hungry. The soldiers felt sorry for him. Soldier Bear knew themselves what it was like to be tired and hungry. Separated from their Soldier Bear families, the soldiers, who were to become members of the 22nd Artillery Soldier Bear Company of the Polish II Corps, bought the orphaned bear from the boy in exchange for some Persian coins, a portion of chocolate, a Swiss army knife and a tin of beef.
    [Show full text]
  • Read Fall 2012 Newsletter
    OLISH CENTER NEWSLETTER P OF DISCOVERY AND LEARNING A NEW GALLERY EXHIBIT AT THE POLISH CEN TER THE POLISH SECOND CORPS, WOJTEK THE SOLDIER BEAR AND MONTE CASSINO ROM SIBERIA TO TEHERAN, PALESTINE, EGYPT, ITALY, ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND — September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, Fincorporating the western Polish provinces into the German Reich and establishing the General Government in the remainder of the central provinces under its control. September 17, 1939, Russia, an ally of Germany, invaded the Polish eastern provinces, incorporating them into the Soviet Union. Over 1.5 million Poles were eventu- ally rounded-up and FORCIBLY DEPORTED to labor camps in northern Russia, Siberia and Kazakhstan. Approximately 3.5 million Poles were sent to slave labor in Germany. Following a surprise German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, Russia concluded an agreement with Britain and the Polish government in exile to free Poles detained in the Soviet Union in order to form an army under the command of General Władysław An- ders—who until then was imprisoned and tortured in the infamous Moscow Lubianka prison. Able volunteers were followed by a wretched population of starving men, women and children who hoped to escape the misery of Russian exile. Unable to come to terms with the Soviet regime, General Anders, like a Polish Moses, led a ragtag group across the Caspian Sea to freedom in Iran. While in Iran, they adopted Wojtek, a baby brown Syrian bear who was to become a companion and Private in the Polish Army. Together with Polish units already in combat in Egypt and Libya, they made up the Polish Second Corps under the command of the British Eighth Army.
    [Show full text]
  • Wladyslaw Anders, Curriculum
    EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES SESSION SCENARIO Class: Władysław Anders. The General of Polish Hopes Session time: 45 minutes Target group: Senior high school students. Materials and teaching aids: Fragments of Władysława Anders’ book Bez ostatniego rozdziału, London 1949; fragments of Maria Nurowska’s Anders, Warsaw 2012; audiovisual reports with testimony, history schoolbook (20th century), map of the Mediterranean as during the Second World War. Important facts and figures: The Katyń massacre – war crime committed by the Soviet Union authorities on 5 March 1940, i.e. the shooting of over 20,000 Polish citizens, including more than 10,000 officers of the Polish army and police forces in the forest in the vicinity of Katyń near Smoleńsk. The name refers to all murders committed by the NKVD on Polish people in Spring 1940 in several locations in the USSR territory: in Tver, Minsk, Kharkov, and Kijev. The officers murdered in Katyn were searched for by general Anders who wished to include them in the forming Polish army in 1941 and 1942. Sikorski-Mayski agreement – common name of the Polish-Soviet agreement of 30 July 1941, signed by general Władysław Sikorski, Prime Minister of the Polish Government in London representing the Polish party, and by the Soviets represented by Ivan Mayski, ambassador of the USSR to Great Britain. The agreement allowed for the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Poland and the Soviet Union after the aggression of the Red Army on Poland on 17 September 1939. The talks between Poland and the USSR were possible due to the German attack on the Soviet Union of 22 June 1941 and the need to form an anti-Nazi coalition.
    [Show full text]
  • “The Monument of Wojtek the Bear” Or Polish Projects to Commemorate Animals Involved in World War II
    DOI : 10.14746/pp.2015.20.3.10 Magdalena LORENC Poznañ “The Monument of Wojtek the Bear” or Polish Projects to Commemorate Animals Involved in World War II “Bears are tapping their paws to the beat, […] I’m very much ashamed, I – a human.” Wis³awa Szymborska, Circus Animals, in: idem, That’s What We Live For, 1952. Abstract: A monument is not an imitation or representation of the past, but a cultural construct. The choice of a theme and the way it is presented in a monumental sculpture show what a particular group considered important and worthy of commemoration. Although it refers to the past, it is primarily con- cerned with the reality in which it was created. It is a response to a demand. The monuments of Wojtek which were founded in Poland in 2013–2014 contributed to the consolidation and dissemination of ideas about the bear-hero of Monte Cassino. By exposing patriotic themes and national symbols, the fate of the bear has been linked with the history of Poland during and after World War II. This clear and unequivo- cal message about the unusual relationship between Wojtek and the Anders’ Army soldiers does not mention how the animal was treated. Thus, the chance to problematize the fate of the bear in man’s cap- tivity has been missed. Key words: Wojtek the Soldier Bear, statues of animals, animal-heroes, the 2nd Polish Corps (Anders’ Army), the battle of Monte Cassino The year 2015 marks the seventieth anniversary of the end of World War II. On this occasion, there are numerous commemorative ceremonies – public rituals of memory, which provide an opportunity to reflect on “sites of memory” (Fr.
    [Show full text]
  • “The Monument of Wojtek the Bear” Or Polish Projects to Commemorate Animals Involved in World War II
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE DOI : 10.14746/pp.2015.20.3.10 Magdalena LORENC Poznañ “The Monument of Wojtek the Bear” or Polish Projects to Commemorate Animals Involved in World War II “Bears are tapping their paws to the beat, [...] I’m very much ashamed, I - a human.” Wisława Szymborska, Circus Animals, in: idem, That’s What We Live For, 1952. Abstract: A monument is not an imitation or representation of the past, but a cultural construct. The choice of a theme and the way it is presented in a monumental sculpture show what a particular group considered important and worthy of commemoration. Although it refers to the past, it is primarily con­ cerned with the reality in which it was created. It is a response to a demand. The monuments of Wojtek which were founded in Poland in 2013-2014 contributed to the consolidation and dissemination of ideas about the bear-hero of Monte Cassino. By exposing patriotic themes and national symbols, the fate of the bear has been linked with the history of Poland during and after World War II. This clear and unequivo­ cal message about the unusual relationship between Wojtek and the Anders’ Army soldiers does not mention how the animal was treated. Thus, the chance to problematize the fate of the bear in man’s cap­ tivity has been missed. Key words: Wojtek the Soldier Bear, statues of animals, animal-heroes, the 2nd Polish Corps (Anders’ Army), the battle of Monte Cassino The year 2015 marks the seventieth anniversary of the end of World War II.
    [Show full text]
  • 07 March 2018 14:06 To: [REDACTED] Cc: [REDACTED] Subject: RE: Call Yesterday
    From: [REDACTED] Sent: 07 March 2018 14:06 To: [REDACTED] Cc: [REDACTED] Subject: RE: Call yesterday Hi [REDACTED] It was lovely to speak to you and [REDACTED] last week too – thank you both for your time. We are delighted that the First Minister will be joining us on our Lessons from Auschwitz Project visit from Glasgow in the autumn. The provisional dates we have for the seminars which will be held in Glasgow are: Orientation seminar – Sunday 21st October Follow-up seminar – Monday 5th November In terms of our two projects which took place from Scotland last autumn, please see the attached spreadsheet for a list of schools which participated from Edinburgh and Glasgow (please see each individual tab). As discussed, we do have students participating from schools across Scotland but we will also undertake further internal mapping and highlight areas we are particularly keen to target so you can share this with local authority contacts. Thank you for sending through the link relating to the Year of the Young People – I will look at this but my initial impression as you say is that it does seem to link with the Lessons from Auschwitz Project. Best wishes [REDACTED] . [REDACTED] Lessons from Auschwitz Project Holocaust Educational Trust BCM Box 7892 | London WC1N 3XX [REDACTED] www.het.org.uk | donate now The Holocaust Educational Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (1092892) and in Scotland (SC042996). This email may be confidential and is intended solely for the recipient to whom it is addressed. If you have received this email in error, please notify the sender and then delete it from your server.
    [Show full text]
  • Wojtek Soldier Bear
    Wojtek Soldier Bear Wojtek was a brown bear. He was sold as a cub to some Polish soldiers who were travelling from Siberia to the Middle East, after being released from labour camps in Russia in 1941. It is thought the cub’s mother had been shot by hunters. Wojtek was so small when the soldiers bought him, he was like a small dog. They fed him condensed milk from a bottle. The soldiers became Wojtek’s new family. Wojtek was adopted by the 22nd Transport Company, Artillery Division of the Polish 2nd Corps and mostly spent time with the men from the 4th Platoon. As a cub, Wojtek could easily ride in the cab of any vehicle but as he grew he would sit in the back with the supplies. Often, he would ride on one of the recovery trucks, where he could lie down during the long journeys or play by climbing up the recovery truck crane. As he grew, Wojtek could often be found in the kitchen area wherever the men were camped and would eat everything he was fed. He even liked beer, wine and cigarettes (which he would eat!). Wojtek was a peaceful bear and posed no danger to humans. He was taught to salute when greeted. He liked play fighting and boxing; those brave enough to wrestle with him could end up scratched or with a torn uniform! Wojtek helped keep up the troops’ morale; like a pet, he was an important focus for the men far from home. Animals were not normally allowed to accompany troops when they were fighting so when the company prepared to go to war in Italy in 1943, they officially enlisted Wojtek as a Polish soldier with his own rank and serial number.
    [Show full text]
  • For Review Only 19 Has Focused Predominately the Experiences of the Soldiers Who Were His Comrades and Keepers
    Environment and Planning D: Society and Space A bear’s biography: Hybrid warfare and the more -than - human battlespace ForJournal: Review Environment and Planning Only D: Society and Space Manuscript ID EPD-2015-0121.R2 Manuscript Type: Article Keywords: more-than-human, military, battlespace, WWII https://mc04.manuscriptcentral.com/societyandspace Page 1 of 25 Environment and Planning D: Society and Space 1 2 3 A bear’s biography: Hybrid warfare and the more-than-human battlespace 4 5 6 7 Abstract 8 9 This paper makes an intervention highlighting the animal dimension of military geographies as 10 an overlooked yet illuminating aspect of the hybrid nature of warfare. By bringing animal 11 geographies into dialogue with critical military geographies and with a focus on relational ethics, 12 the processes, performance and consequences of the more-than-human nature of the battlespace 13 14 are examined through a vignette of Wojtek the bear. Wojtek was a mascot, pet and officially 15 enlisted soldier of the Polish Army in the Second World War who travelled the desert plains, 16 helped to fight at the Battle of Monte Cassino, before being demobbed with his fellow Polish 17 comrades in the UK, eventually ending his civilian days in Edinburgh Zoo. Although a well- 18 known figure WojtekFor and his biography Review have predominately Only been used as a means to explore the 19 Polish soldiers’ experience of the Second World War with the result that the bear as an animal is 20 21 absent. This paper, therefore, puts the bear back into his biography in order to acknowledge the 22 role and lived experience of animals in the military.
    [Show full text]