Hi there, My name's Adam, I'm working for the BBC's Inside Out programme Birmingham. I'm currently researching veterans of the Second World War who come from ethnic minorities be it Hindu, Sikh, Muslim or anywhere and I would dearly love to find one. I'm just wondering if anybody is aware of somebody who lives in the West Midlands...? Thanks, Adam
I honestly do not know. However the greater majority of veterans from the Midlands, if they were draughted and NOT volunteered, tended to be drafted into the Navy. Have you tried contacting the regional offices of the Royal British Legion/Poppy Appeal for help? They may have contacts within the communities who will know. However it may help to know which area of the West Midlands you are covering, thats a big geographical spectrum for us to help you track down contacts.
Thanks Kitty, Yes we've tried going through the Royal British Legion who are getting onto it for us, but haven't heard anything as yet. We're literally searching for anybody across the whole of the West Midlands, from Stoke-on-Trent to Gloucester. Hopefully this gives us more chance of finding somebody. We've tried several religious and veteran organisations with little hope so far. We'll keep searching.
I'm afraid you will have a hard time finding ethnic minority veterans - though there are many still around they are very frail and not as involved in Legions etc nowadays. For example, Squadron Leader M S Pujji is now in his 90s. Many such veterans were slightly older than their contemporaries of the time. and so are older than the surviving British veterans. However, have you contacted We Were There Home Page and pitched your ideas to them? If they like it then they maybe able to help you make contact
Hi Adam. I not sure if this would help you,the Royal Airforce actually had muslim fighter pilots! There is one ww2 muslim pilot that stayed in Briton after the war and he now lives in Briton permamently. Maybe you can look him up by asking the royal air force data ww2,i am sure they will give it to you,you are from BBC net work.
Brighton is in the South of the country honey, not the West Midlands. Adam you may be on to a loser mate, these areas were basically white until the 50's, and of those ethnic communities I will be very surprised if you find any who fought in the War. And very good luck in SOT, it is open warfare tween the original communities and the incomers, so the chances of you getting any help whatsoever are in the negative values I honestly do not know who you can contact, many stayed in their home countries or returned there once the racism of the 50's onwards kicked in. Good luck, let us know if you find any one.
Also try your colleague Kurt barling here: BBC - London - TV He has been collaborating with Cy Grant on Caribbean aircrew in WW2 and might have some names
The Tuskegee Airmen were dedicated, determined young men who enlisted to become America's first black military airmen, at a time when there were many people who thought that black men lacked intelligence, skill, courage and patriotism. They came from every section of the country, with large numbers coming from New York City, Washington, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and Detroit. Each one possessed a strong personal desire to serve the United States of America at the best of his ability.
Great bunch of young men the Tuskegee Airmen. Also,the Tuskegee air man never lost one plane or pilot whiloe the white units lost many! Must be very skillful those African American pilots.
Not quite right, Heidi, but that doesn't mean the piles of accolades levelled at the men should be withdrawn. Report: Tuskegee Airmen lost 25 bombers - USATODAY.com Tuskegee Airmen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
There are some details you may have been confused with regarding the Tuskegee's! The 332nd was listed as never having "lost a bomber" that they were escorting however this has been discounted by later historians who say that they lost 25. There were 66 Pilots KIA or accidents. This from their website:Tuskegee Airmen - Facts about the First Black Pilots in WW2
