While the film “Tirailleurs” was released this Wednesday, with Omar Sy, the French government announces that the last Senegalese riflemen will be able to return to their country of origin, without losing the benefit of the minimum old age.
They are more than 100 to be engaged in combat during the Second World War. But strangely, the History of France has made them invisible. However, there are many "Senegalese skirmishers" to perish at the front. Even among the enemy, the fate reserved for these black soldiers is different from that of the whites. The latter are captured and sent to Germany, while the former are for some massacred, for others taken prisoner in camps in France.
In December 1944, in Senegal, skirmishers, returning home, were massacred in the military camp of Thiaroye, where they were demonstrating to demand payment of their salary which was due to them during their years of captivity. The colonial troops and the French gendarmes are accused of having caused dozens of deaths. Historians even mention hundreds of victims.
These stories somewhat reflect the great history of Senegalese skirmishers, during the Second but also the First World War. Because at the time of the Liberation of France, in 1945, these soldiers are put aside, as if they had not participated in the French victory. The fault, in particular, with the will of the United States which, in full segregationist era, takes part in the Liberation and refuses to march alongside black soldiers.
“Cannon fodder”
Eight decades later, a new film sheds light on these shadow soldiers. In "Tirailleurs", Omar Sy and the other actors return to the history of the Senegalese riflemen during the First World War. A corps of soldiers which was part of the colonial troops from the end of the 1800s. A unit which will include, as its name suggests, Senegalese but also other Africans.
During the 14-18 War, nearly 200 skirmishers defended the colors of France, nearly three-quarters of them on the European continent. The number of casualties in this unit is estimated at 000. Not to mention the soldiers who came back wounded.
Mathieu Vadepied's film, co-produced by Omar Sy, is a tribute to these Senegalese skirmishers. The release of the film - especially the promotion that surrounded this release - led the French Ministry of Solidarity to announce a measure concerning the last Senegalese skirmishers. They will be able to return to their country of origin while continuing to receive the minimum old age. A symbolic measure: they are still, according to the French family allowance funds, 22 to be concerned.
A very belated recognition for them. Especially when you know their sacrifices. Like April 16, 1917. In the Chemin des Dames sector, in Hurtebise, Laffaux and Vauxaillon, the battle raged. The Senegalese skirmishers are about 15, making up the first line of fighters. Half of them will die. Senegalese deputy Blaise Diagne, in the National Assembly, had accused the French generals of having used the skirmishers as "cannon fodder".