Races of WW2

[FartCop]

I remember a thread about race and it was stated that black men weren't allowed in the US Military. If I am wrong I do apologize. Regardless I found the link below to photo archives of their recruitment.

http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/topics/afam/earlyWW2.htm

[enigma]

iirc, African Americans where not allowed to be in front line units, they where in the supply corp ... driving trucks etc
Later durin the later stages of 44 and early 45 they where sent into front line units battalion size.

Cant remember where i read that but that was the jist of what it said.

Iirc there was also an "all-black" squadron or more within the USAAF, there was African Americans also within the US Navy although iirc they where not allowed to advance after a certain rank.


Anyhoo back to the army, this site recaps the story of one Sgt. Warren G.H. Crecy, 761st Tank Battalion, Pattons 3rd Army.
Badass of the week (http://www.amazingben.com/arf0091.html)

wiki article on the battalion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._761st_Tank_Battalion)


Hope some of that helps :)



Edit, Note: If this is of any help either, it seems this appraoch was not taken by the UK and 'Black' soldiers where in frontline formations, for example i iirc a few where with Major Howards Coup De Main party.

[NicholasJohnson]

You are not wrong, there were many black servicemen during and before World War Two. What they must have been talking about is the fact that the Army was segregated at the time.

[2ltben]

Careful with this thread. These things usually don't end well.

[NicholasJohnson]

If anyone starts political crap I am deleting their posts, Ben.

:)

[sid]

During the Bulge where many Replacements where needed African Americans who were Truck Drivers or doing other jobs where allowed to enlist as infantry. They were trained and put into the line in Batallion sized forces I think. There is a story in Citizen Soldiers of some Black troops who used a Panzerfaust to take out a tiger.

[FartCop]

Thanks for the information! I wasn't able to fully research it, but the information I did find certainly suggested the U.S. was certainly vigilant in their segregation while other countries were not so condemning.

It would be great to hear some of the stories that came out of those all black squadrons or from those who did make it to the front lines.

[Wolfsburg]

The Tuskegee airmen flew P-51s with great aplomb. They have the reputation of being the only allied (or U.S., at least) squadron not to lose a bomber under their escort.

The men of the Red Ball Express, who drove supply trucks, also served with distinction. Black U.S. Army soldiers are often maligned, but I think they proved themselves well.

[NicholasJohnson]

I checked this book out at the library, it's pretty good.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385503385/sr=8-1/qid=1154338978/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-0851005-5068659?ie=UTF8

[FartCop]

I knew about the Tuskegee airmen, but I wasn't aware of the Red Ball express. Ashamedly, I am not well versed in my country's history as I should be. Since I began to research for material for the game (for use in modeling and reference points for a map) I've become fascinated with what I have discovered.

The local library didn't have it, but I will check the city library this week. Seems odd to see Kareems name on it as an author.