Belgium's Invisible War: The Senegalese Tirailleurs

The History of Belgium: A Small Country with a Giant Colonial Legacy — Fexingo History · Oct 4, 2026 · 8m · transcript

While Belgium’s colonial past is often reduced to the Congo and Suriname, a significant chapter of its military history involves the Senegalese Tirailleurs. This episode explores how Belgian forces recruited West African soldiers during World War II and the complex political landscape they navigated. We look at the experiences of these troops under German occupation in French territory, their interactions with the Belgian government-in-exile, and the post-war struggles for recognition. From the frontlines of France to the streets of Brussels, we examine the human stories behind the uniforms…