More than one million African soldiers fought in World War II

The 70th anniversary of World War II is marked around the world, but one group of soldiers is ignored: over one million African soldiers. Many now live in poverty, bitter about being written out of history. For Africa WWII began in 1935 as Italian Fascist troops, backed by Eritrean colonial forces, invaded Ethiopia. Emperor Haile Selassie fled to the UK, but others, known as Patriots, fought on. Among them was 15yo Jagama Kello, who raised a guerrilla force that struck at the Italian invaders. Africans learnt what Fascism means: John Henry Smythe's teacher gave him Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf. "We read what this man was going to do to the blacks if he gets into power."

BBC NEWS | Africa | The Africans who fought in WWII

 

Forgotten indeed, especially with the woes of the area in today's world. Those WW2 warriors are the bottom of the totem pole without doubt.

 

indeed guys like that who were forgotten are indeed at the bottom of the totem pole

 

I think almost all Commonwealth soldiers have been largely forgotten about, be it when history is being taught, when one glimpses back, or even by the nation itself. I'm always get depressed reading about cases like this, makes we want to do something to help but then reality sinks it telling me decades have passed since then, making it harder for more and more veterans to see the effects of anything done. Doesn't mean we should stand by and do nothing though, I definitely try my best to help in what ever way I can.

Out of curiosity, were apologizes ever issued to commonwealth soldiers who were treated in such a way by the British when they still had colonial rule?