The Forgotten Soldiers: Colonial Troops in World War II

World War II was a global war, but the stories we tell often focus on Europeans and Americans. The millions of soldiers from colonies and empires are often left out. The British brought troops from India, Africa, and the Caribbean. India alone provided over 2.5 million soldiers, the largest volunteer army in history. They fought everywhere. North Africa, Italy, Burma. They earned 31 Victoria Crosses, the highest British military honor. French colonial troops from Senegal, Morocco, and Algeria fought in the Battle of France and the Italian campaign. They were some of the toughest soldiers in the Allied armies. American troops from the Philippines fought alongside American forces until the surrender. After the war, they were denied benefits that American soldiers received. Japan brought troops from Korea and Taiwan. They were often treated brutally by their Japanese masters. These colonial soldiers fought for empires that didn't treat them as equals. They faced discrimination, lower pay, and limited opportunities for advancement. Yet they fought. They fought for freedom, even when freedom wasn't fully granted to them. Their service would later fuel movements for independence. After the war, the empires crumbled. The soldiers who had fought for them demanded something in return. Their contributions deserve to be remembered.