I want to be a bear-rider!!!
looks like they were always drunk with power
This is from Scott Westerfeld's series, "Leviathan". There are also Russian Fighting Bears but I couldn't find a good picture.
I mean, it's an Austria-Hungarian mech, and in the books, Russia is more focused on genetically modified creatures for war, but the thought is still there.
Wojtek was a real bear, helped soldiers carrying ammunition crates during a siege. He had a rank of a private, official member of the army. For more info, check wikipedia, really unique story.
wow
if only had thouse in cold war usa we be the lose