1917 New York Times article praises 'Somalis' who fought in WWI for the Fench - 'SOMALIS REAL WARRIORS'

[Abdi Caato]

very interesting read

 

[Abdi Caato]

- many of the soldiers were actually recruited in British Somaliland

- Somali soldiers described as "independent in character" and to have found army discipline "very severe"

- their officers trained them by appealing to their "pride of race" & "self-respect"

- they were "second to none in the army" at grenade throwing

- a Europen sergeant wanted to enter a dugout full of armed enemies when a Somali private told him "iga leexo niyohow, you are a married man" kkkk

- they were said to have shown enemy captives great mercy

 

[pablo]

R.I.P

 

[Marshall D Abdi]

Did he just call us negros

 

[HanWER]

They called us french negroes lol

 

[SOMALI GENERAL]

Did he just call us negros

This was in reference to the Djiboutian Somalis who fought for their French Masters in the War and the French generally viewed Somalis as Negros because most have SSA/Black African features in their appearance.

 

[Removed]

This was in reference to the Djiboutian Somalis who fought for their French Masters in the War and the French generally viewed Somalis as Negros because most have SSA/Black African features in their appearance.

Do you think Djiboutian Somalis look any different to other Somalis

 

[Octavian]

Do you think Djiboutian Somalis look any different to other Somalis

nope

 

[Octavian]

- many of the soldiers were actually recruited in British Somaliland

- Somali soldiers described as "independent in character" and to have found army discipline "very severe"

- their officers trained them by appealing to their "pride of race" & "self-respect"

- they were "second to none in the army" at grenade throwing

- a Europen sergeant wanted to enter a dugout full of armed enemies when a Somali private told him "iga leexo niyohow, you are a married man" kkkk

- they were said to have shown enemy captives great mercy

nimankan waa rageedi