Description

Immediate dispatch from Somerset. Nice book in great condition. Pages in excellent condition. No notes or highlighting. See images. Fantastic book.

About the book >.>.> The Beau Geste myth clouds any accurate perception of the military experience of France in Africa. This first comprehensive analysis of the military dimension of French colonial rule in Africa argues that the record of the French Army is not simply marked by conquest and repression but is also one of remarkable achievement in mobilizing native peoples in the service of the French Empire and in contributing to the overall development of the territories concerned. The operation of the military system in war and peace is examined for its impact on both France and Africa and in overview is compared with the experience of the British Empire. The acquisition expansion and subsequent decline of the French colonies are traced from the days of the Restoration Monarchy through both World Wars and the Algerian Crisis right up to present commitments in Chad and elsewhere. Special attention is paid to the activities of the African soldiers of the Arm?e d’Afrique and the Troupes de Marines. This detailed study makes a unique and scholarly contribution to the literature of imperial military and French history. (SP)