W.W.II African American Soldiers in European-Middle Eastern Theater, Identified Photo Archive

[African American Military] [WWII] African American soldiers photographed in uniforms with heavy artillery during the European and Middle Eastern Theatre of W.W.II. 18 black and white silver gelatin photographs, measure 2.5" x 3.5" to 5" x 7" with most measuring somewhere in the middle. Five photos have inscriptions en verso identifying the soldiers who are also shown in other photos. Many of the men are shown in uniform together and individually, some with artillery and trucks, on and off army bases. A few photos show some Black soldiers outside with machine guns mounted on tripods in a semi-arid terrain with palm trees and clay huts in the background, one with a domed temple in the far back, showing to be from the Middle Eastern theatre. While Jim Crow laws and negative racial attitudes still ran rampant in the United States, many of the Europeans greeted African American G.I.s with respect and camaraderie. One soldier by the name of Lawrence is shown in several photographs stationed in Belgium and France. Many of the dedications are to his lover back home as one photograph shows him with a technician armband looking off into the distance, super imposed is an image of the woman he loves back home placed in his line of sight. Many inscriptions with this soldier are dedicated to her, telling her how much he loves her and wishing he was back home. A photograph shows Lawrence smoking side by side a look-a-like soldier or possibly created with a long exposure camera with the inscription en verso "This one will get you. Wich one is me -- 10 May 1944 -- N.A. wishing all the time I was home." Another image shows Lawrence with a 7th army patch with the inscription locating him in Brugelette, Belgium. Two photographs show Lawrence with several members of his unit identifying each of their names, one photo dedicated to "Larry, from 'Pete.' Your a hell of a nice Arab." indicating Lawrence may be of mixed African and Middle Eastern heritage. A portrait of an unidentified Black G.I. is shown in a piped Garrison hat which was worn by overseas artillery units. A few photos show Black G.I.s driving or working on military trucks, one interesting photo shows a few Black and white soldiers working under the hoods of several trucks in a garage. Several photographs show base camps with unidentified locations, American flags wave on base, one depicting a field of aerial bombs that seemingly have no end in sight. An unidentified Black G.I. stands boldly in a field cap with an M1 Carbine in hand. A compelling archive documenting some of the many contributions African Americans made to the military during World War II. Photographs are crisp and clear, overall very good condition.