Figure 1.-- The French Fourth Army went on the offensive along with the American drive in the Meuse–Argonne (Sepgember 25). The Harledm Hell Fighters (369th Regiment) performed well in heavy fighting, sustaining severe losses. The unit captured the important village of Séchault. The Hell Fighters spent 191 days in frontline trenches, more than any other American unit. They also suffered the most losses of any American regiment, with 1,500 men killed or wounded. Here the Hll Fighters parades up Fifth Avenue upon their return to New York (1919). Click on the image to see the reception in Harlem. Source: Photo credit: U.S. National Archives. Library of Congress.

The early-20th century was the heighth of post Civil ar racism in America. Similar attitudes wee prevalent in Erope, Latin America, and Asia. As a result, Americams believed taht African Americams were not potential fighteres, despite the clear ladable performance of african nmerican soldiers, most notably in the Civil War (1861-65). Not to mentiin the figting career of Jack Johnson who was the American Heavweight Champion (1908–15) during the Jim Crow era. The United States had a very small, all-voluntary Army with a few African American units. None other than John J. Pershing, the future commander of the American Expeditiinary Force commnand African American soldiers on the Frointier. Thery became known as Bufalo soldiers. As the AEF coomander, Pershing made no effort to stand up f friucan American soldietrs and seem more interested in ensuring that their experience in France did not 'spoil' them. [Pershing] T he U.S. Army just ignored the history of African American soldiers and was unsure what to do with African Americans when Congress declard war on Germany (April 1917). Army commanders were not suitable for combat, lacking the needed bravery and would not fare well on the battlefield. But thought they could be useful in other areas such as constructioin. As a result, several African American units were formed--mostly in the Northern states. The Hellfighters were an infantry regiment of the New York Army National Guard. Most were from Harlem. They began as 15th Infantry Regiment of the New York National Guard before America entered the War (1916). When the United States entered the war, it was renamed the 369th Regiment. The unit was sent to South Carolina to train. Other units were trained in various southern states largely because training was possible during the winter. . Locals were outraged with this. (During the Civil War, nothing infutriated Southeners more than when the Federals began arming African American volunteees.) The World War I trainees were the recipients of racist taunts and jeers. Theey were told by their white officers to ignore such taunts and threats with 'fortitude and without retaliation'. Which for the most oart they did with the exception of a vilent outbreak in Texas. There the men encountered blatant racism. Nt that there was nit racism in the North, but nothing like waht was prevalent in the South. The Jim Crow Laws were primarily a southern phenomenon. President Wilson, probably the most ardently racist Americam President since the Civil War, demanded that American Doughboys fight as American units under American commanders and the American flag. The British and French were clamoring for men on the Western Froint as the Germans prepared for their war-winning Spring Odffesduve (1918). President Wilson made one excepion to his insistence on a sparate American Army. He agree to permit African-American combat regiments to be assigned to the French arny and fight under French officers. The Harlem Hellfighters thuis fought as part of the French 16th Division. They proved to be the most celebrated African American regiment in World War I. African American units in the AEF were mostly relegated to construction, building emlacements, trenches, roads and rail lines, and other mostly menial jobs. Their commander, William Hayward, repeatedly requested that they serve inncombat. The American name for the Harlem Hell Fighters was the Black Rattlers. The French named the regiment the Men of Bronze (Hommes de Bronze). The Germans came up wih most memorable name which stuck-- the Hell-fighters (Höllenkämpfer). the Regiment would fight as part of the French 16th Division. The French which had many units incapable of offensive opperations were astonishd ith the Regiment's performance as were the Germans who faced them. The French Fourth Army went on the offensive along with the American drive in the Meuse–Argonne (Sepgember 25). The Harledm Hell Fighters (369th Regiment) performed well in heavy fighting, sustaining severe losses. The unit captured the important village of Séchault. The Hell Fighters spent 191 days in frontline trenches, more than any other American unit. They also suffered the most losses of any American regiment, with 1,500 men killed or wounded. Henry Johnson and Needham Roberts were the first Americans, black or white, to receive the Croix de Guerre--the highest French award for valor. The Regiment was awarded a unit Croix de Guerre for their fierce fighting at Chateau-Thierry, Belleau Wood, and Sechault. In addition, James Reese Europe, the regimental bandleader, introduced jazz to the French people. His band played for soldiers at relief stations and in hospitals. Jazz would become allthe ragev in France after the War. It as in Germany as well until the NAZIs supressed itbecause of its association with African Americans.

Created: 3:26 AM 12/14/2021
Last updated: 3:26 AM 12/14/2021