What did African Americans do in World War 2?

Answer 1

They were not allowed to join in infantry units but were allowed to drive trucks etc., so they were part of the ordance corp. They also flew in one air force squadron, the Tuskegee airmen.

AnswerThere was also a United States African/American Tank Battalion (756 th Armor not sure of that #) that served with Honor in many German battles. AnswerBoth respondents are somewhat inaccurate. African Americans did serve in infantry roles, though they were not allowed to do so at the beginning of the war. The tank battalion mentioned is the 761st which served in Patton's 3rd Army. African American's also played vital support roles such as drivers for the Red Ball Express as well as filling civilian jobs stateside during the war.

The Army organized two infantry division made up of African-Americans enlisted men commanded by white officers. One was the 92nd "Buffalo" Infantry Division and the other was the 93rd Infantry Division. I'm not sure about the history of the 93rd Division. The 92nd Infantry Division was sent to Italy, where they were repulsed by a German attack and they had to be re-inforced by elements of the 442nd and 473rd Regimental Combat Teams. The 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion was an all-black airborne unit. The battalion did not serve overseas during World War II. However, in May 1945 it was sent to the west coast of the United States to combat forest fires ignited by Japanese balloons carrying incendiary bombs.

The 99th Pursuit Squadron was activated in 1941 and this unit was to become the core of other black squadrons forming at Tuskegee and Maxwell fields in Alabama- the famed Tuskegee Airmen. They were formed into the all-black 332nd Fighter Group consisting of three fighter squadrons: the 100th, 301st and 302nd. They were stationed in Italy.

On June 1, 1943, the Army created the all black 477th Bombardment Group Medium (M) fly he B-25J medium bomber. Their training was delayed as the men got moved from base to base and weren't trained as effectively as other units. The unit was moved to Freeman Field, IN, and the base orders did not allow the black officers to attend the all--white officers club. The black airmen tried to enter the club and the MPs were called. Many airmen were arrested. The unit never went overseas. A good reference book is Lt . Col. James C. Warren's, USAF (ret) book "The Tuskegee Airmen Mutiny at Freeman Field".

The Tuskegee Airmen were indeed famed in the air, but an all-black mobile anti-aircraft artillery unit on the ground in the XII army , also in the ETO, actually scored more kills of enemy warcraft, nearly 100, than did the Airmen up in the air. Like their counterparts in the air who defended bombing runs, mobile anti-aircraft battalions set up and were attached and detached to much larger combat units, mainly field artillery and armored infantry brigades. And unlike the Airmen, who on the ground largely maintained the segregated practices of the day, these anti-aircraft gunners took their chow with white units. This battalion participated in ever major European campaign except for Anzio and are one of a half-dozen or so anti-aircraft battalions who are honored by inclusion on the large granite monument in St. Louis at the foot of The Arch, which commemorates the heroism of those who fought in the Ardennes Forest in the Battle of the Bulge.

Answer 2

Most will want to say that Blacks were only used as cooks, stevedores and general basic labor. But Black soldiers have been trained and used as soldiers since the American Civil War. The 9th US Cavarly regiment was used in the West durng the Indian Wars. They served in the Spanish-American War and in World War I as infanrymen. During WW2, a large number were used for general labor. The largest amount served in Engineer units where they probably were given heavy labor duties building roads, bridges and such. Many were assigned to support units, such as signal corps, medical orderlies, and even artillerymen. There was a couple of units of Black troops organized in Tank Battalions. There were two segrated infantry divisions made up entirely of blacks but lead by white officers. The 92nd Infantry Division served in Italy. In December 1944, the Germans launched an offense that drove back one of its regiments. The result was that one regiment was basically disbanded and the division was reinforced by the all Japanese-American 442 Combat Team and the white 473 Combat Team. I think the other all-black infantry division was the 93rd Infantry Divison, which saw service in the Pacific theaater. The Army Air Corps in WW2 trained the Tuskegee airmen and these saw service as fighter pilots. Their story is worth reading to see how they overcame prejudice and served their country well. What most people don't know is that a group of airmen were trained as bomber crews for B-25. However, there was a lot of resistance against them and they never got to go into combat. So Black soldiers have served in a large variety of units and jobs.

Answer 3

I dont know this answer, but I do know that the jobs during World War 2 more African Americans did. They had more freedom to where they could get jobs in the military. But the World War 1 part I do not know..Sorry

Answer 4

served in the military, worked in war plants and supported the war effort.............

Answer 5

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