A "bear" of a story..... warning for the weak hearted, Iranian link

[HysteryDiagnosis]

not to worry, it has a Google search winder and other familiars to make you feel less threatened..... agent mike.

http://www.iranian.com/History/2005/August/Bear/index.html

After the Battle of Monte Cassino, one of the fiercest and bloodiest conflicts of the Second World War, many accounts emerged of the bravery and heroism of the soldiers. But perhaps the strangest story of all was of an Iranian brown bear who served alongside the allied soldiers in the worst heat of the battle. Despite the incessant bombardment and constant gunfire, the bear carried vital supplies of ammunition and food to his fellow-soldiers fighting on the mountainside. Many observers who witnessed his remarkable actions doubted the reality of what they were seeing. But the story was no legend.

At the time of his death in 1964, he was the most famous bear in the world, visited by countless celebrities and adored by the international press. Books and articles were written about him, statues and plaques commemorated his actions. To the men of the 22nd Transport Company (Artillery Supply) however, he was merely “Voytek” a remarkable fellow soldier, and their beloved comrade.

He was born in the mountains of Hamadan, in one of the many caves to be found in that dusty mountainous area. At the age of eight weeks his mother was killed by a group of hunters, but he was rescued by a young Iranian boy who thrust him into a hempen sack and set off with him homeward along a narrow dusty path.

[madame defarge]

1. My father fought at Monte Cassino...

I have to say, I never heard him tell this story though. And he was in Artillery... Unfortunately, he died, so I can't ask him. I do have some books of his about the battle, so I'm going to see if they mention anything about this.

Great story.

[nuxvomica]

4. My late uncle was also at Monte Cassino

I'll have to ask my dad if he ever heard any stories about this bear.

[nuxvomica]

2. There's only one thing about this I don't understand

Why has no one made a movie about Voytek? What a great story!

[FloridaPat]

3. Neat story about the bear. Interesting web site.

[Wetzelbill]

5. oh why is that so effing cute?

:)

[greenman3610]

6. wow

I'm in tears

[HysteryDiagnosis]

7. An animal lover I take it?? Yes... it's a great story about humans

treating a "wild animal" as a peer.... and vice versa. Too bad there aren't more of them and less of us.

[meegbear]

8. Awwwwww!