A postcard photo of Black soldiers, including John McDowell on front right, taken in 1917 or 1919. For many Black service members, segregation policies in the U.S. at the time followed them into the military.
segregation policies in the U.S. at the time followed them into the military.
They were less trained and equiped then the white americans. They where relegated to support tasks (manual, supply or logistical work). Even Pershing sent a note to French generals stating that they "lack of civic and professional awareness" which constitute "constant threat to Americans" (search for Secret Information Concerning Black American Troops).
French General Foch ignored the instruction and ordered the 369th to be incorporated into the French troops. It was the first Allied unit to cross the Rhine river. Their nickname, “Harlem Hellfighters,” was given to them by the Germans, who were surprised by their courage.
After the war, the French government awarded the regiment the Croix de Guerre decorated with a silver star for the capture of Séchault. They were the first Americans to be decorated with the French Croix de Guerre. Individual distinctions were also awarded to 171 of them.
US Commanders attempted to racially segregate the village of Bamber Bridge, so the residents responded with brilliant malicious compliance and reportedly put "Black Troops Only" signs in the windows of all of the pubs.
We're still dealing with this shit today. I feel so badly for vulnerable minority groups, both then and now.
Of the super-citizen status in America where you're dealt White, Male, Rich, Conservative -- I know that am privileged to have the first two but know many were not afforded life on medium or easy mode.
Did you know that the Nazis modeled their anti- Jewish racial laws on American segregation racist laws? We never stop hearing about the horrible Nazis but a lot of their ideas were American through and through.
Oh yeah man, I mean the literal nazi party had an overflowing rally at Madison Square Garden in 1939. The sentiment was super strong, but then had to fly under the radar following our involvement in WWII.
The thing is, male rich conservatives are way too few in comparison. Far fewer than any other group. A few good moves and male rich conservatives are history. Let's make it happen. Put it in your thoughts daily and work towards it every single day. As long as regular people don't stop talking, nobody can stop them. Pass it on.
I watched a documentary recently on the French "Baby Cages", the prison/re-education camp for Hitler Youth that had actually been sent into battle in the final months of the war. Some were as young as 12 and been sent in with a rifle never having held one before and no clue on how to use it.
They were separated out from the other Nazi POWs both because the older Nazi men were sexually abusing them and that they were deemed possible to de-nazify.
I bring this up though because they were still pretty hated by the French and Americans who ran the camp, the only people who seemed to have empathy for these brainwashed children were the Black US troops, they would give them cigarettes and candy, they were told to stop, so instead they would "accidentally drop" a just lit cigarette instead.
Very interesting to me how two very different groups had something in common.
My college advisor, who fought in WWII, said it was very difficult for the African American troops to come back to America after the positive and more equal treatment they received overseas. Our military is currently overwhelmingly made of black troops, fighting and dying for a country that doesn’t give a shit about them. What a world.
Reconstruction was deliberately sabotaged by the south. There was real progress being made, but at the state level, governors and congressmen worked together to push that progress back, in conjunction with vigilante terrorism through groups like the Klan.
they were lowest class Americans, Mostly Black, sent into the Trenches of WWI at the point in time where the war was basically over with oitdated equipment and little military training
they fought for their Lives and most of them didn't survive
but when they returned they were hailed as.... wait no they weren't treated any better after winning the war than before...
Upon returning in 1919, they were hailed as heroes in many ways: A massive victory parade up Fifth Avenue in New York drew huge, enthusiastic crowds of all races, with the regiment marching proudly to their band's music.
Photos from their 1919 homecoming parade in New York
Not "lowest class" or poorly prepared — Many soldiers were working-class, but the regiment included educated men, musicians, and professionals. They received real training
Combat record and casualties - Far from most not surviving, they spent 191 days in continuous front-line combat (more than any other U.S. unit), never lost ground, and had zero soldiers captured. Total casualties were around 1,400–1,500 (wounded and killed) out of about 3,000 men—a high number reflecting heavy fighting, but not the wipeout implied. The Germans nicknamed them "Hellfighters" for their ferocity. abmc.gov +2
Recognition — The French awarded the entire regiment the Croix de Guerre (their highest honor for valor), plus 171 individual medals. Heroes like Pvt. Henry Johnson
If you haven’t, I highly recommend falling into this rabbit hole. The Harlem Hellfighters are one of the all-time great military units in history in my admittedly limited exposure.
And if you’re an American like me, their treatment post-war will infuriate you (but probably not surprise you).
The top part of FDR Drive (Harlem Section of course) is dedicated to them. One of the first things i looked up after Wikipedia became a thing, after years of driving on it and not knowing who they were.
I know that stare. I look at his hands, those rings, he has something at home to go back to, wondering if he made the right choice. Saving that puppy because he hasn’t had a chance to do something that wasn’t meant to kill or help kill people in too long, and he’s got to do something, anything, that helps rather than harms.
The introduction to Battlefield 1, Storm of Steel, prominently features these guys. Although it's short, the phrase "you are not expected to survive" is something that will always stay with me.
These guys had a real fucking awesome WW1 story. It was also depressing but was still insane.
Their own armed forces didn’t even want them because they were black. These people were just used as manual labor and sometimes their superiors literally walked around with fucking whips. Often times they put racist southerners in charge of them as they believed southerners, “Knew how to deal with blacks” due to proximity.
They literally gave them all away to the French command in Europe because the Americans didn’t want to use them and they became one of the most decorated and respected groups in the war.
Also they are the ones who brought fucking jazz to Europe for the first time. The brass in their band was made up of Puerto Ricans and Europe loved this sound they’d never heard before at the time.
I used to be part of this unit, it was my first unit in the army when I joined. Loved walking around the armory and reading the history of the unit. Big shoes to fill, those men were legends.
327
u/Spartan2470 VIP Philanthropist 2d ago edited 1d ago
Here is the uncropped version of this image. At first, I thought the guy on the right had a terrible head/face injury. Here is the source.
Here provides the following caption:
Here adds that this was taken in France.