Posted on Jul 16, 2020
Black troops were welcome in Britain, but Jim Crow wasn't: the race riot of one night in June...
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“That evening in 1943, black troops and white locals were stretching out “drinking-up time” in a pub at the end of the evening. Words were exchanged, and military police arrived and tried to arrest Private Eugene Nunn for not wearing the proper uniform. But they faced new solidarities: a white British soldier challenged the military police: “Why do you want to arrest them? They’re not doing anything or bothering anybody.”
“The incident escalated into a fist fight and the military police were beaten back. When they returned with reinforcements to meet the group, now returning to camp, a battle developed in the street. Shots were fired, and Crossland died with a bullet in his back”
“The incident escalated into a fist fight and the military police were beaten back. When they returned with reinforcements to meet the group, now returning to camp, a battle developed in the street. Shots were fired, and Crossland died with a bullet in his back”
Black troops were welcome in Britain, but Jim Crow wasn't: the race riot of one night in June...
Posted from theconversation.com
Military History
WWII World War Two
Racism
Posted >1 y ago
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Despite not having all the freedoms that should have been afforded to the colored soldiers, they heard the drums of war and followed it. They fought dearly for a country that treated them like second class citizens. Despite that they were willing to bleed and sacrifice for the common good of mankind.
Part of the experience can be summed up about the 761st Tank Battalion that supported Patton's Third Army as it rolled into one battle after another:
"I consider the 761st Tank Battalion to have entered combat with such conspicuous courage and success as to warrant special commendation. The speed with which they adapted themselves to the front line under most adverse weather conditions, the gallantry with which they faced some of Germany's finest troops, and the confident spirit with which they emerged from their recent engagements in the vicinity of Dieuze, Morville les Vic, and Guebling entitle them surely to consider themselves of the veteran 761st. It is with extreme gratification that the corps commander's commendation is forwarded to you. Your battalion has supported this division with great bravery under the most adverse weather and terrain conditions. You have my sincere wish that success may continue to follow your endeavors."
- Maj. Gen. Willard S. Paul
Part of the experience can be summed up about the 761st Tank Battalion that supported Patton's Third Army as it rolled into one battle after another:
"I consider the 761st Tank Battalion to have entered combat with such conspicuous courage and success as to warrant special commendation. The speed with which they adapted themselves to the front line under most adverse weather conditions, the gallantry with which they faced some of Germany's finest troops, and the confident spirit with which they emerged from their recent engagements in the vicinity of Dieuze, Morville les Vic, and Guebling entitle them surely to consider themselves of the veteran 761st. It is with extreme gratification that the corps commander's commendation is forwarded to you. Your battalion has supported this division with great bravery under the most adverse weather and terrain conditions. You have my sincere wish that success may continue to follow your endeavors."
- Maj. Gen. Willard S. Paul
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I read "Masters of the Air" which was primarily about the bomber war in Europe earlier this year and this incident was covered in the book. It was something I had never heard of and it intrigued me. According to the book not only was the US military concerned about bringing black troops over, even the English military hierarchy were as well.
There had been several instances of issues between white and black troops so Ike imposed that each race would have it's own specific town pass nights to alleviate any racial tension. I forget what sparked the incident as noted in the book, but in the end at least one black Army Air Corps member was shot and at least one white MP was shot. The entire incident pretty much got swept under the carpet.
There had been several instances of issues between white and black troops so Ike imposed that each race would have it's own specific town pass nights to alleviate any racial tension. I forget what sparked the incident as noted in the book, but in the end at least one black Army Air Corps member was shot and at least one white MP was shot. The entire incident pretty much got swept under the carpet.
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