While the exploits of Wojtek—the beer drinking, cigarette smoking Syrian brown bear that was attached to the Polish II Corps during the Second World War—have been well-documented, it’s altogether rarer to hear the name of Baśka, a polar bear enrolled into the ranks of the Murmansk Battalion of the Polish I Corps.
Deployed to Northern Russia towards the end of WWI as part of an international coalition that sought to safeguard the port of Archangelsk from Bolshevik forces, the Murmansk Battalion was comprised of Polish soldiers that had previously served in the Tsarist army, and it was these troops that adopted Baśka.
Competing stories exist about how she came into the regiment’s fold, though by far the most entertaining involves a young officer named Walenty Karaś.
Having been left lovestruck by a local girl, Karaś purportedly found himself vying for her attention with a dashing, opera-singing Italian captain that would gallivant around the town with an Arctic fox draped around his shoulders.
Refusing to be outdone, Karaś bought a polar bear that he’d seen for sale at a local market and christened her Baśka.
Competing stories exist about how she came into the regiment’s fold, though by far the most entertaining involves a young officer named Walenty Karaś.
Having been left lovestruck by a local girl, Karaś purportedly found himself vying for her attention with a dashing, opera-singing Italian captain that would gallivant around the town with an Arctic fox draped around his shoulders.
Refusing to be outdone, Karaś bought a polar bear that he’d seen for sale at a local market and christened her Baśka.
Unfortunately, according to one tale, Baśka soon found herself in trouble after savaging a bulldog that belonged to a senior British officer. Fretting for her life, and fearing recriminations from the British, the Poles inducted Baśka into the battalion to serve as ‘a daughter of the regiment.’
Awarded her own ration book and rank, the bear was swiftly tamed and became a much-loved addition that helped alleviate the everyday hardships associated with this notoriously grim posting.
Awarded her own ration book and rank, the bear was swiftly tamed and became a much-loved addition that helped alleviate the everyday hardships associated with this notoriously grim posting.
However, all was not well on the front and in the summer of 1919 the decision was taken to withdraw the Allied coalition.
Curiously, the 460-strong Polish contingent did not sail back to their homeland, but to Scotland first. After landing in the port of Leith on September 26th, the Murmansk Battalion— Baśka included—were billeted to Dreghorn Barracks. Forays into nearby Edinburgh, though, did not go unnoticed.
Writing several years later in the Voice of Poland magazine, the diplomat Jan Meysztowicz recalled one such sortie: “On a certain Sunday, in November 1919, passers-by in Edinburgh were astounded at the unusual sight of a battalion of obviously foreign infantry parading in Princes Street. Their equipment revealed they were coming from the far north.”
Curiously, the 460-strong Polish contingent did not sail back to their homeland, but to Scotland first. After landing in the port of Leith on September 26th, the Murmansk Battalion— Baśka included—were billeted to Dreghorn Barracks. Forays into nearby Edinburgh, though, did not go unnoticed.
Writing several years later in the Voice of Poland magazine, the diplomat Jan Meysztowicz recalled one such sortie: “On a certain Sunday, in November 1919, passers-by in Edinburgh were astounded at the unusual sight of a battalion of obviously foreign infantry parading in Princes Street. Their equipment revealed they were coming from the far north.”
As exotic as the Polish soldiers appeared to the Scottish public, it was Baśka that stole the show.
“But the greatest sensation was aroused by an enormous white polar bear, trained to keep pace with the ranks, and even standing to attention at appropriate moments, making the military salute with her paw,” wrote Meysztowicz.
This, it transpired, was Baśka’s signature move, and she would later repeat it in front of one of Poland’s greatest ever leaders. On returning to Poland, her regiment took part in a military parade held in Warsaw under the gaze of Marshal Józef Piłsudski, the architect of the modern Polish state.
“But the greatest sensation was aroused by an enormous white polar bear, trained to keep pace with the ranks, and even standing to attention at appropriate moments, making the military salute with her paw,” wrote Meysztowicz.
This, it transpired, was Baśka’s signature move, and she would later repeat it in front of one of Poland’s greatest ever leaders. On returning to Poland, her regiment took part in a military parade held in Warsaw under the gaze of Marshal Józef Piłsudski, the architect of the modern Polish state.
Marching in front of him, Baśka raised her paw in salute, in the process delighting one of the country’s biggest heroes. Yet as far-fetched as this entire episode may seem, most researchers agree that it actually occurred.
Other events, however, are subject to dispute—for instance, according to one anecdote Baśka once joined a barroom brawl that saw her Polish companions trade blows with an unruly mob of German border guards.
Casting doubt on this is Krzysztof Kurzyński, a registered member of the 3 Reki tourist organization. “From what we know she was very friendly, and not aggressive at all,” he tells TVP World. “She had been bought up as a girl.”
Other events, however, are subject to dispute—for instance, according to one anecdote Baśka once joined a barroom brawl that saw her Polish companions trade blows with an unruly mob of German border guards.
Casting doubt on this is Krzysztof Kurzyński, a registered member of the 3 Reki tourist organization. “From what we know she was very friendly, and not aggressive at all,” he tells TVP World. “She had been bought up as a girl.”
Ironically, her friendly demeanor would cost Baśka her life.
Later stationed alongside her unit in Modlin Fortress, just north of Warsaw, a sweltering summer’s day in 1922 saw her led down to the river for a cooling swim—the consequences, unfortunately, would prove disastrous.
Swimming across the Wisla, she encountered a group of peasants on the riverbank who responded by bludgeoning her to death.
Later stationed alongside her unit in Modlin Fortress, just north of Warsaw, a sweltering summer’s day in 1922 saw her led down to the river for a cooling swim—the consequences, unfortunately, would prove disastrous.
Swimming across the Wisla, she encountered a group of peasants on the riverbank who responded by bludgeoning her to death.
“She was so used to people that she ran to greet them, but you can imagine how terrified the peasants must have been to see this wet polar bear charging towards them,” says Kurzyński.
“It’s a good job that the soldiers weren’t armed,” he adds. “On learning she had been killed, her furious comrades are said to have set fire to some village buildings in revenge.”
Subsequently stuffed by a taxidermist, she was later put on display at the Polish Army Museum only to mysteriously disappear after the war. With her body vanished without a trace, Baśka lived on in legend alone.
“It’s a good job that the soldiers weren’t armed,” he adds. “On learning she had been killed, her furious comrades are said to have set fire to some village buildings in revenge.”
Subsequently stuffed by a taxidermist, she was later put on display at the Polish Army Museum only to mysteriously disappear after the war. With her body vanished without a trace, Baśka lived on in legend alone.
“When we first learned of her story we were initially skeptical,” admits Kurzyński. “It was only after a guide working at Modlin Fortress found Baśka mentioned in a military order that we realized it was true.”
Other revelations followed, with archived press clippings and photographs serving to fill in the gaps in Baśka’s story. “It all reflected the never-ending story of Modlin’s surprises,” says Kurzyński.
For the staff of 3 Reki, an organization that specializes in promoting Modlin Fortress and the surrounding region, confirmation of Baśka’s existence was also viewed as a golden opportunity to increase Modlin’s exposure.
Inspired by Wrocław’s trail of pint-sized gnomes, a brief brainstorming saw the decision taken to install a similar trail around Modlin Fortress, only this one starring Baśka. “Telling visitors her story is one thing,” says Kurzyński, “but by creating a trail we realized we could reach an entirely new age group.”
Other revelations followed, with archived press clippings and photographs serving to fill in the gaps in Baśka’s story. “It all reflected the never-ending story of Modlin’s surprises,” says Kurzyński.
For the staff of 3 Reki, an organization that specializes in promoting Modlin Fortress and the surrounding region, confirmation of Baśka’s existence was also viewed as a golden opportunity to increase Modlin’s exposure.
Inspired by Wrocław’s trail of pint-sized gnomes, a brief brainstorming saw the decision taken to install a similar trail around Modlin Fortress, only this one starring Baśka. “Telling visitors her story is one thing,” says Kurzyński, “but by creating a trail we realized we could reach an entirely new age group.”
Beginning with four statuettes, the current headcount now stands at 11 with the 30 kilo miniatures sprinkled around the grounds of the fortress. “We did actually once have one stolen,” says Kurzyński, “but it was returned after we put up ‘missing’ posters around the town!”
Today, it is impossible to miss Baśka when visiting Modlin. More than just a mascot, she has become inexorably linked with the fortress, her image adorning everything from gift store mugs and road signs to sweet, sugary cakes sold in local cafes. For so long forgotten, the spotlight shines once again on the polar bear that came in from the cold.
Today, it is impossible to miss Baśka when visiting Modlin. More than just a mascot, she has become inexorably linked with the fortress, her image adorning everything from gift store mugs and road signs to sweet, sugary cakes sold in local cafes. For so long forgotten, the spotlight shines once again on the polar bear that came in from the cold.
More In History MORE...
