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To: eleni121
lqclamar read the article and even though i think he's trying to fudge the numbers down, even he is willing to admit that 19,000 west african muslims fought for france against the nazis.

The only numbers fudging was Zimdog, who originally used a base figure of over 275 thousand to take his "muslim troop count" when in reality less than half of those ever made it into the service, just over half of those ever made it to Europe, 10% were white French officers, and sizable portions of the remainder were from non-muslim colonies like Madagascar and the French colonies in central Africa. All of that information was in the original article he quoted from, but he chose not to share it - intentionally IMHO.

What also needs to be noted of the few muslim French troops that did serve is this: they were forced conscripts.

The Balkan nazi muslims were volunteers rounded up at their local mosques by Grand Mufti Husseini.

158 posted on 02/16/2007 9:14:50 PM PST by lqclamar ("That's it, Seth, you can't blame them. It's want of education. That's all it is.")
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To: lqclamar
The only numbers fudging was Zimdog, who originally used a base figure of over 275 thousand to take his "muslim troop count" when in reality less than half of those ever made it into the service, just over half of those ever made it to Europe, 10% were white French officers, and sizable portions of the remainder were from non-muslim colonies like Madagascar and the French colonies in central Africa. All of that information was in the original article he quoted from, but he chose not to share it - intentionally IMHO.

Your misrepresenting the article and your misrepresenting the numbers again. The article clearly stated that 122,000 soldiers in West Africa were mobilized to defend France, including some 9000+ French officers who may or may not have been white. The article also clearly stated that the Tirailleurs Sénégalais contributed 275,000 troops over the course of the war, that is to say before the fall of France and also in the subsequent FFL army.

I am being quite straightforward. I will ask you once again to stop misrepresenting my arguments and the arguments of the reputable historians I cite.

What also needs to be noted of the few muslim French troops that did serve is this: they were forced conscripts.

Yes, the 180,000 Muslim West Africans were mostly drafted. Many re-enlisted after their 3 years were up, but many were initial volunteers.

I will kindly ask you to stop denigrating the service of troops who bravely fought the Nazis simply because you dislike their religion or their continent.

165 posted on 02/16/2007 9:46:42 PM PST by zimdog
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