1917–18: Black American soldiers in combat
Lahaie, Olivier
1917–18: Black American soldiers in combat - 2012.
62
When the United States entered the war, numerous black volunteers joined up, to the extent that it was soon possible to raise two infantry divisions (the 92nd and 93rd) of non-white soldiers. Pershing, who was commanding the American expeditionary force, was concerned about retaining his autonomy from the French; yet he didn’t hesitate to transfer the infantry regiments from those divisions to a French army that was eager for reinforcements, a decision that betrayed his unfavorable preconceptions about the fighting quality of non-white soldiers. And yet, when equipped and trained by the French, the 369th, 370th, 371st, and 372nd regiments fought bravely until the armistice. However, none of them took part in the victory parade. Even worse: when they returned home, the veterans—in some cases responsible for valiant feats of arms—were powerless to escape the discriminatory measures that would long continue to burden black Americans.
1917–18: Black American soldiers in combat - 2012.
62
When the United States entered the war, numerous black volunteers joined up, to the extent that it was soon possible to raise two infantry divisions (the 92nd and 93rd) of non-white soldiers. Pershing, who was commanding the American expeditionary force, was concerned about retaining his autonomy from the French; yet he didn’t hesitate to transfer the infantry regiments from those divisions to a French army that was eager for reinforcements, a decision that betrayed his unfavorable preconceptions about the fighting quality of non-white soldiers. And yet, when equipped and trained by the French, the 369th, 370th, 371st, and 372nd regiments fought bravely until the armistice. However, none of them took part in the victory parade. Even worse: when they returned home, the veterans—in some cases responsible for valiant feats of arms—were powerless to escape the discriminatory measures that would long continue to burden black Americans.
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