Comments on: Polish Power! The story of Wojtek: The cigarette smoking, beer chugging, Nazi fighting Polish soldier bear

By: PJ

PJ — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:39:44 +0000

The Poles did not attack the Germans on horseback. This is only German propaganda !!!

By: rex

rex — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:25:41 +0000

does apply to CEASAR

By: rex

rex — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 03:22:25 +0000

your nation is not proud of you…it is hard to belive that poeple can be so stupid…

By: AdamB

AdamB — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:35:14 +0000

You are welcome.

You may also like to know that at the battle of Mokra (September 1, 1939) the Polish Cavalry Brigade “Wolynska” halted the attack of the German 4th Panzer Division. The cavalry brigade destroyed over 80 German tanks using their AT guns and AT rifles (kb UR).

The Polish cavalry in the 1930s used horses for transport (just like Germans) but they fought on foot (mobile infantry).

Many European armies also used bicycle infantry during that time. Fortunately even the Germans did not claim that the Poles charge their tanks with bicycles.

Another war myth which is widespread in the West claims that the Polish Air Force was destroyed on the ground in September 1939. The truth is that the first wave of the German bombers failed to even reach Warsaw as they were intercepted by the Polish Air Force.

Gloria victis!

Best regards.

By: Adam Pieniazek

Adam Pieniazek — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:58:18 +0000

You’re right AdamB. As mentioned in the post, the sticks and horses stories is what I was taught in the 6th grade. You and other commenters have pointed out to me that it was propaganda, not fact. Thank you!

By: AdamB

AdamB — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:23:34 +0000

The Polish army NEVER fought against the German tanks with horses and sticks. Can’t you hear how stupid it sounds? This is one the most common sinister lies the German propaganda machine came up with during the second world war. Adam Pieniazek means well however his knowledge of Polish history is poor.
Wojtek’s story is true though.

By: Bilety

Bilety — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:21:56 +0000

Cool story. Didnt think a bear could become so close – esp with all the gunfire.

By: stach

stach — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 11:51:38 +0000

Actually, during the September campaign in western Poland, there were cases where several german tanks were destroyed by the Polish cavalry. The strategy was to charge a tank and throw a granade inside…an almost suicidal tactic but shows the bravery of Polish soldiers.

By: Adam Pieniazek

Adam Pieniazek — Sun, 24 May 2009 08:26:57 +0000

First off Damian, kudos to your grandfather for fighting for Poland. My grandfather fought in WWI so I think we both have pride in our families for defending Poland to the best of their abilities.

Thanks for clearing up the sticks myth. When I heard it I was a bit skeptical but I heard it in a classroom so I didn’t really know what to believe. I think the real story here is that the Polish people fought knowing they were greatly overmatched and did not give up just because the odds were heavily against them. It shows a great pride and strength.

The exotica animals scampering about the city must have truly been an odd scene. I can’t even begin to imagine how it must have felt to fight in WWII. I’m sure your grandfather saw many strange, absurd and downright scary events. I wonder if the animal scene made the soldiers pause for a moment and realize the real absurdity of war in general. Though they’re “just” animals, I feel bad for them too. They couldn’t understand what was going on and only realized they had to flee.

Hearing the stories from your grandmother really shows that above all, both sides had people fighting for them. It must be a dehumanizing feeling fighting this epic battles when there are so many other problems we as humans could have been focusing our energy on.

Thank you for sharing your stories with us. I do hope others come by hear and share theirs. It adds a very unique and personal aspect to the overall war history.

By: Damian M.

Damian M. — Tue, 12 May 2009 02:20:21 +0000

Hello again.
There are a few words about the famous or rather infamous “sticks” which were mentioned above. To cut the long story short, the “sticks” were in reality lances – light thrust spears, based on… steel pipe.
I will also take the liberty to share with You two little tellings by my late grandparents. My grandfather, who saw service as an uhlan and took his part in defence of Warsaw mentioned one day long time ago that his unit was stationed by the Warsaw zoo. When it was hit by several bombs the explosions made the exotic animals scatter. The sight must be somewhat weird and absurd. I just hope my grandpa wasn’t only pulling my leg. The grandmother, on the other hand, had told me about two instances the Wehrmacht units were passing across their village near Nowogrodek (nowadays Belarus). The first one was the going towards the hearth of Soviet Union/Russia. The troops were optimistic, clean shaved, their uniforms in mint condition. Some soldiers attempted to actually BUY some fresh bread from the villagers. The other one took place later, when crushed and defeated, the German troops were being pushed back by Red Army. Germans looked far less fresh and begged for any bread, even stale one or for just some crust of it. My grandmother always pondered over the fate of the Germans in Russia, and the deterioration they underwent there. I know, these are hardly the big stories, but I wish they will encourage others to share theirs with us.