African Contributions
By the start of the Second World War, the vast majority of African nations had been colonised by the European Empires, including the British, French and Italian Empires. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers from these countries participated in the war and it was one of the few regions in the world that produced raw material surpluses (rubber, rice, tin and copper) for export to parts of the globe where deficit became normal.
© IWM (IND 2864) The 81st West African Division alongside Indian soldiers after arriving in India.
© IWM (K 5145(A)) Kisarishu, an African villager joins the pioneers, East Africa, C. 13 September 1943.
© IWM (K 5359) East African Electrical and Mechanical Engineering workshop.
A sisal baling machine at work. © IWM (K 3054)