Topic: In a Polish Company in WWII
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Palghat's photo

Palghat

Mon 01/14/19 11:27 PM

Hundreds of non humans milling about during the war

Stray dogs, horses, foxes, you name it.
Everybody wanted a pet.
You've no mother, father, sisters, you're all alone, you might die..,
so of course you find something to love ...
I remember a bloke who had a ferret, and used to have it under his khaki shirt
and the head would appear.
says Krysttyna Ivell, 83 year old Polish refugee


It's the story of Corporal Wajtek in the Polish Army that deserves attention;
(the army which got hit from all sides, first the Germans then the Russians)


When the men were struggling, he would come over, grab a metal crate (artillery)
and carry it to the truck; or stack the crates so the men didn't have to lift off
the ground. He used to do the heavy work, recalls the company NCO.

The problem came when the company had to move from Egypt to Italy. A 1944 journal entry says: the port authority is being difficult about the bear and monkey.


Yes, Corporal Wajtek was a Syrian bear who traveled to Palestine, Egypt & Italy
and yes, there was a monkey enlisted (rank unknown)



Edited by Palghat on Mon 01/14/19 11:28 PM