The film “Tirailleurs” by Mathieu Vadepied with Omar Sy, highlights the sacrifice imposed on black fighters from the French colonies during the First World War. On this occasion, L’Obs returns in 5 points to their little-known story.
1. France is the only colonial power to have sent combatants ” native “ in the trenches
Created under the Second Empire, the corps of Senegalese riflemen first played a major role in the constitution of the French colonial Empire. From the 1860s, these auxiliaries to the French army took part in the conquest and then the “peace” territories that will constitute French West Africa (AOF) and French Equatorial Africa (AEF), then Madagascar and Morocco. They then fight other Africans. But on the eve of the First World War, the idea that blacks could confront Europeans remained taboo: “lower races” and “superior” cannot mingle on a battlefield.
In a much noticed book, “La Force noire”, published in 1910, Colonel Mangin was the first to defy the ban. Weighed down by the decline in its birth rate, France then trembled in the face of the insolent demographic dynamics of the German enemy. Mangin has the parade: in case of war, France will only have to bring in Senegalese skirmishers to swell its numbers. This officer of the colonial army, who was able to experience the value of African fighters, is himself not exe
This article is for subscribers only. Take advantage of our special offers without obligation.
WHERE
Google Exclusive: 6.99€/month
By choosing this promotional subscription path, you accept the deposit of an analysis cookie by Google.
