Belgium's Invisible Soldiers: The Senegalese Tirailleurs in WWII

The History of Belgium: A Small Country with a Giant Colonial Legacy — Fexingo History · Oct 18, 2026 · 7m · transcript

While the Ardennes and Comet Line resistance get spotlighted, this episode uncovers the story of the Senegalese Tirailleurs fighting for Belgium in World War II. These colonial troops from French West Africa were integrated into the Belgian Army after France fell in 1940, bringing a distinct cultural and military presence to the exile community in London. We explore their recruitment, their role in the Battle of Britain and the North African campaigns, and the complex identity crises they faced as subjects of an empire fighting for freedom. The narrative highlights figures like General…