Soldier Bear

In 1942, a local boy found a bear cub near Hamadan, Iran whose mother had been shot. 

He sold it to the soldiers of the Polish Army stationed nearby for a couple of canned meat tins. 

As the bear was less than a year old, he initially had problems swallowing and was fed with condensed milk from an emptied vodka bottle. 

The bear was fed with fruits, marmalade, honey and syrup, and was often rewarded with beer, which became his favorite drink. 

He also enjoyed smoking and eating cigarettes. He enjoyed wrestling and was taught to salute when greeted. 

The bear became quite an attraction for soldiers and civilians alike, and soon became an unofficial mascot of all units stationed nearby.