"Africa and the First World War" Topic

"A million people died in East Africa alone during the First World War. Many Africans also fought in Europe, defending the interests of their colonial masters. Today, their sacrifice has been largely forgotten.

The most impressive monument for African victims of the First World War (1914-1918) is not to be found in Africa but in France. At the battle of Delville, one of the engagements of the Battle of the Somme in 1916, the South African 1st Infantry Brigade sustained heavy casualties. John Del Monde knows the site well. He is a member of the board of the South African Legion veterans' association. Together with partner associations from other Commonwealth member states, he has made it his life's work to keep alive the memory of all those who fought for the British monarchy. To mark the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I, ceremonies are being held in South Africa and Namibia and a new monument unveiled in Flanders, Del Monde told DW.

Some 10,000 South African soldiers died in Belgium, France, Pakistan, North Africa and former German colonies in Africa. The South African Legion is one of the few bodies in Africa which honors their sacrifice. There is limited knowledge about WWI among the black African population, Del Monde says. During the conflict, some 2 million people from across Africa were actively involved in the military confrontations, as soldiers or bearers, in Europe and in Africa. At the start of the war, some Africans volunteered to take part, encouraged by the prospect of a modest income. From 1915, the Europeans began conscripting thousands of African men. The French alone sent 450,000 African soldiers from their colonies in West and North Africa to fight against Germany on the frontline in Europe…"
Main page
link

Amicalement
Armand

Anyone interested in South African Military history, or Boer War history, or campaigns in which South African troops took part will very much enjoy the archive of the Journal of the South African Military History Society, which can be accessed here -

link

All journal articles from 1967 to 2014 (IIRC) are available for free download and there is some excellent material to be found there.

Happy New Year to All.

B

Marvellous, Blutarski ! Thank you for the link !

Yes, some great scenario inspiration in the SA Journal of Military History articles available free online.

Thanks my friend!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

de Nada ;-)

B