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The Harlem Hellfighters


Men of the Harlem Hellfighters wearing the French Croix de Guerre
A Look Through History colourisation of The Harlem Hellfighters.

The 369th Infantry Regiment witnessed some of the most vicious fighting in WW1 out of any US unit. The Unit was almost exclusively African American (with some Puerto Ricans), as before this regiment was made any African American who wanted to fight would have to enlist with the French or Canadians.

Hellfighters manning a trench in May of 1918.
Hellfighters manning a trench in May of 1918. (Photo:© IWM (Q 69943))

They quickly became known across the western front through their ferocity and mental toughness having famously never lost a trench to the Germans, who named them the "Hell Fighters". The regiment went on to become the most decorated US unit of the war, with this picture showing those who were awarded the French Croix de Guerre for their bravery.

Sergeant Henry Johnson "The Black Death" was awarded the Medal of Honour in 2015 for his actions in WW1 where he fought off a 12 man raiding party, eventually pulling out his "bolo" knife to protect his injured comrade.

Members of the Hellfighters celebrate their return to New York City.
Members of the Hellfighters celebrate their return to New York City. (National Archives Catalogue)

They were welcomed back to a parade along New Yorks 5th Avenue, however as we know all too well this of little consequence compared to the issues of racism that would continue through to today. "It'd be a nice story if I could say that our parade or even our victories changed the world overnight, but truth's got an ugly way of killin' nice stories." (A quote from The Harlem Hellfighters Graphic Novel).


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