African Soldiers in World War II Asia-battlefront for the defense of the Commonwealth: Apology, Recognition and Reparation do matter!
« The Nigerians Who Defeated the Japanese: Defending the Defunct British Empire in Burma – The Burma Front 1943« . This is the title of an article published by Jide Uwechia. In this very instructive paper, the author informs us about the reality of the WWII Asia-battlefront. Indeed, « when the Japanese almost ran out the Europeans from the entire continent of Asia durning the world war II, it appeared that the European powers were truly doomed at least in Asia. The Japanese war machine was unstoppable. It was only in Burma, in the year 1943, that European powers were able to contain the enemy. The secret weapon used was the force of the west African soldiers mostly from Ghana, and Nigeria, who fought, overcame and destroyed the Japanese war machine after more than two years of continuous warfare in the Burma jungles. Nigerians made up more than half of the total force of 90,000 West African soldiers deployed to South East Asia after 1943 as part of the British Army’s 81st and 82nd (West Africa) Divisions. Their contribution was never adequately recognised ».
Business as usual. The West is not yet ready to face up its past.
The complete article is available at the following link:
Picture: Wikipedia online
The following documentary film provides a very informative sight about Africa’s contribution to the defense of the Commonweath:
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For more information about this topic:
Africa’s forgotten wartime heroes
On VJ Day, the anniversary of victory over Japan, they tell the veterans’ story.British documentary makers Robin Forestier-Walker and Oliver Owen have been tracing Nigerians who fought against the Japanese in Burma during World War II.
Now, almost 70 years on, the old war veteran claims he hid his true identity from the recruiting officer.Mohammed was just 16 when he was pressed into British military service in northern Nigeria against his will.
It was as Private African Banana that he went on to travel 6,300 miles (10,100km) to the jungles of Burma in the Royal West African Frontier Force.
And he has been known as African Banana ever since.
The contribution of West Africans was played down in official versions of the Allied war in Asia, and until now, few have had an opportunity to tell their tale.
In fact, only two in 10 of the soldiers who fought in Burma were white. The role of Indians and Gurkhas is known. But when Allied commander General William Slim thanked his 14th army at the end of the campaign, he did not even mention the Africans.
Jungle warfare
Nigerians made up more than half of the total force of 90,000 West African soldiers deployed to South East Asia after 1943 as part of the British Army’s 81st and 82nd (West Africa) Divisions.
Although the Burma campaign ended 64 years ago, many remain bitter that their contribution was never adequately recognised.
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 Initially I saw the white man as someone better than me. But after the war, I considered him an equal  Former infantryman Dauda Kafanchan
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They were central to the push to clear Japanese forces out of the jungle and mountain ranges of Burma, from where they threatened British India.
This was achieved through a gruelling campaign of jungle marches, battles and ambushes, in which supplies were delivered entirely by air.
Usman Katsina remembers it well.
« Everything that was meant to be used – your food, your clothes, everything – was given to you and you were required to carry it, on your head and back. Some even died from exhaustion, from travelling long distances, with a heavy load, » he says.
Some of those who earned the coveted Burma Star had already fought against Mussolini’s forces in East Africa.
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8201717.stm, 21.02.2012PhD Scholarships opportunities at the University of Freiberg (Germany) Peut-on interpréter le fait pour un Africain de parler «comme les Blancs» comme un signe d’aliénation au plan identitaire?
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