Predators+in+Polish+army

Sunday, February 05, 2012 “Poland will commemorate hero bear of World War II”
 * The Sunday Guardian**

====**Wojtek** (1942–1963) usually spelled Voytek in English, was a Syrian brown bear cub found in Iran and adopted by soldiers of the 22nd Artillery Supply Company of the Polish II Corps. During the Battle of Monte Cassino, Wojtek helped move ammunition. The name "Wojtek" is a diminutive form of "Wojciech", an old Slavic name that is still very common in Poland today. It derives from two words: "woj" (the stem of "wojownik", warrior, and "wojna", war); and "ciech", enjoyment. Thus the name has two meanings: "he who enjoys war" or "smiling warrior".====

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====In 1942, a local boy found a bear cub near Hamadan, Iran. He sold it to the soldiers of the Polish Army stationed nearby for a couple of canned meat tins. As the bear was less than a year old, he initially had problems swallowing and was fed with condensed milk from an emptied vodka bottle. The bear was fed with fruits, marmalade, honey and syrup, and was often rewarded with beer, which became his favorite drink. He also enjoyed smoking and eating cigarettes. He enjoyed wrestling and was taught to salute when greeted. The bear became quite an attraction for soldiers and civilians alike, and soon became an unofficialmascot of all units stationed nearby. With the company he moved to Iraq and then through Syria, Palestine and Egypt.====

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[|Wojtek even have a fan page on facebook !]

**The pride of Polish** army from 16th to the middle of 18th century was the winged cavalry, also called husaria. The unit was reserved for the noblemen, as only the richest of them could afford magnificent armor and weapons. Even horses’ harnesses were decorated with gold and gems. Towarzysz ("Companion") was sort of a junior cavalry officer, (he usually brought between 1 to 4 men with him in his "retinue") Companion usually wore a leopard (sometimes tiger, jaguar, lion) pelt over his left shoulder, whereas wolf, brown bear and lynx pelts were reserved for **leaders** and **veterans**.