In an article about "Monte Cassino" i read that the german Fallschirmjaeger not really feared, but had great respect for the Ghurkas, not because of any rumors, but because of they fought much harder, and better in the hills then any other unit. Another point was that they werent retreating as fast as other units.
(I know not WW1, but it fits a little to the topic)
German attitude to fighting non-whites in the trenches
...
British Commonwealth soldiers (Indians) of the 129th Duke of Connaught's Own Baluchis in Belgium, October 1914
Portrait of Subedar Khudadad Khan, soldier in the 129th Duke of Connaught's Own Baluchis. He was the first native born Indian to win the Victoria Cross.
British Commonwealth soldiers (Gurkhas) of the 1/6th Gurkha Rifles part of the 29th Indian Brigade, in a trench on Gallipoli
Painting by Terence Cuneo of the 1/6th Gurkha Rifles storming the crest of the Sari Bair, the highest point on the Gallipoli Penninsular on 9 August 1915.
A sketch depicting Havildar agna Singh, of the 57th Wilde's Rifles in battle. Singh was awarded the Indian Order of Merit by shooting a German officer and killing ten other ranks while fighting.
source: http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORC ... 1914a.html
-
michael mills
- Member
- Posts: 9000
- Joined: 11 Mar 2002, 13:42
- Location: Sydney, Australia
I was interested to see that American Negroes were used in combat roles in the US Army in the First World War.
I had the impression that in the Second World War coloured troops in the US Army were only used in support roles, eg for construction work.
Was there a change in US Army policy in regard to non-white troops? Or was my impression about the Second World War incorrect?
I had the impression that in the Second World War coloured troops in the US Army were only used in support roles, eg for construction work.
Was there a change in US Army policy in regard to non-white troops? Or was my impression about the Second World War incorrect?
Black Americans served in segregated combat units under French command.The most famous was the 371st Infantry Regiment,part of the French 161st Division.Most of their equipment was thus of French origin.
A US 93rd Infantry(Black)Division was also raised but never saw action.
A US 93rd Infantry(Black)Division was also raised but never saw action.
- Attachments
-
- 93rdDiv.jpg (99.02 KiB) Viewed 1245 times
-
michael mills
- Member
- Posts: 9000
- Joined: 11 Mar 2002, 13:42
- Location: Sydney, Australia
Very interesting. Does that mean that the United States Government, although it was prepared to make use of Black manpower, did not want the US Army to be seen to have non-Whites in its ranks?Black Americans served in segregated combat units under French command.The most famous was the 371st Infantry Regiment,part of the French 161st Division.Most of their equipment was thus of French origin.
A US 93rd Infantry(Black)Division was also raised but never saw action.
Perhaps it was felt that, since France was already using Black African troops, then there was no dishonour in its using a few more.
All in all, a rather interesting psychological phenomenon.
-
ChristopherPerrien
- Member
- Posts: 7051
- Joined: 26 Dec 2002, 01:58
- Location: Mississippi