The African American soldiers soon face intense discrimination from their white counterparts they are eventually barred altogether from social interactions with the friendlier French. As the war progresses, bombings and gas attacks become part of the 369th's daily routine. This results in the 369th's rise to prominence on both sides of the war, with the Germans nicknaming them the Harlem Hellfighters. Private Henry Johnson becomes the first American to receive the Croix de Guerre after dispatching a German "raider party" armed solely with a bolo knife and rifle, saving the lives of multiple comrades. Nonetheless, the soldiers soon prove themselves in combat. The 369th is soon taken aback by the brutal realities of war the rat-infested, muddy, lice-encompassed trenches become a subject of much complaining. Mark's friend David Scott is killed by a sniper on their first day in the trenches whilst naively peeking into no man's land. The French soldiers show a foreign level of acceptance and tolerance of theblack presence. When they reach the Western Front in January 1918, the regiment is bitterly assigned to laborious roles, unloading ships and performing janitorial tasks for the American Expeditionary Force.Īfter months more of "pick and shovel work," the 15th is reorganized into the 369th Infantry Regiment and transferred under the jurisdiction of the French Fourth Army. Mark and several of his fellow infantrymen are subject to a vicious beating at the hands of townsmen that is only broken up when white soldiers from the 7th Infantry Regiment intervene.Īfter a handful of weeks in Spartanburg, the 15th is deployed to France. Adams orders them to completely ignore any verbal or physical provocations made by the local populace. In order to preserve the well-being of his men, Lt. In October, the regiment is reassigned to riot in Houston.
It's here that the African-American soldiers begin to first feel the effects of segregation with the United States Army they are given uniforms later than their white counterparts and train with broomsticks in the place of rifles. Concurrently, members of the regimental band are subjected to the precise training of renowned bandleader Lt. In July 1917, the regiment commences basic training at Camp Whitman, where they are strictly disciplined and educated by a benevolent Adams. The 15th is headed by Lieutenant Adams and Sergeant Mandla. The soldiers, though all black, come from a diverse array of backgrounds, classes, and cultures, leading to some initial internal strain. It begins upon the inception of ], with recruitment for the 15th New York National Guard Regiment being held in ].
The novel is narrated by Mark, a veteran of the 369th's tour in Europe.
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