Work has begun on an animated film depicting the true story of the cigarette smoking, beer drinking bear which 'fought' alongside soldiers in the Second World War.
Adopted as an orphaned cub in 1942 by the 22nd Artillery Division of the Polish 2nd Corps, Wojtek, which in Polish means 'smiling warrior' or 'he who enjoys war', quickly became an adored mascot.
He went on to be officially given the rank of Private and learnt to march alongside the troops, salute and even carry cases of ammunition.
It was announced in 2018 that the producer behind the Christmas classic The Snowman had begun working on a film, but progress then came to a halt during the coronavirus pandemic.
Now, with production back under way, it has been announced that the Fleabag star Bill Paterson is one of the actors who will provide voiceovers for the film.
Work has begun on an animated film depicting the true story of the cigarette smoking, beer drinking bear named Wojtek which 'fought' alongside soldiers in the Second World War Above: The bear with a soldier during the war
Adopted as an orphaned cub in 1942 by the 22nd Artillery Division of the Polish 2nd Corps, Wojtek, which in Polish means 'smiling warrior' or 'he who enjoys war ', quickly became an adored mascot. Above: The bear with a bottle of beer
He was officially given the rank of Private and learnt to march alongside the troops, salute and even carry cases of ammunition. Above: Wojtek with troops at the Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944
And concept images show how the film might look, with one depicting Wojtek carrying an ammunition shell.
Titled A Bear Named Wojtek, the film is now set to be released in the autumn next year.
It is being directed by Scottish animator Iain Gardner and produced by The Snowman's Iain Harvey.
In a 2008 interview with the BBC, Polish veteran Augustyn Karolewski, who fought alongside Wojtek said: 'He drank beer like any man, which he would simply gulp down, and liked cigarettes, too.'
Another veteran called Wojciech Narebski said: 'The friendly welcome for the returning, often extremely tired, soldiers by Wojtek was, for us, a very important relaxing thing.'
After defeating the Nazis in Africa, the Polish regiment was ordered to Italy but were told that animals and pets weren't allowed aboard the transport ship.
Determined to not leave Wojtek behind, the soldiers decided to get around the problem by enlisting the 6-foot bear into their ranks as a private with his own pay-book and serial number.
It was announced in 2018 that the producer behind the Christmas classic The Snowman had begun working on a film, but progress then came to a halt during the coronavirus pandemic. Now, with production back under way, it has been announced that the Fleabag star Bill Paterson (pictured) is one of the actors who will provide voiceovers for the film
Concept images show how the film might look, with one depicting Wojtek carrying an ammunition shell
A fully-fledged member of the Polish 2nd Corp when he arrived at the Italian front, Wojtek's most celebrated moment came during the 1944 siege of Monte Cassino, an ancient hilltop monastery in Italy that the Germans had turned into an impregnable fortress on the key approach to Rome.
The horrific campaign which saw over 50,000 Allied troops killed, also saw Wojtek the bear carrying 100-pound (45 kg) crates of 25-Ib artillery shells to help the Allied assault.
According to a Der Spiegel report in 2012: 'A British veteran recounted how he was taken aback when he suddenly saw a full-grown bear calmly
