[RESTOCKING] WWI Harlem Hellfighter
The 369th Infantry Regiment consisted of mainly African Americans during World War One, in which it was the first African American regiment to serve with the American Expeditionary Forces during the war. The 369th spent 191 days in the front line trenches, more than any other American unit,and they also suffered the most losses of any American regiment with 1,500 casualties.
The 369th were assigned to the French Army due to many white American soldiers refused to perform combat duty with blacks. The men were issued French weapons, helmets, belts, and pouches, although they retained their U.S. uniforms. The unit was accepted with open arms by the French Army and would serve with distinction through many instances of heavy fighting, including participating in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. The regiment was nicknamed the Black Rattlers, and the nickname Men of Bronze was given to them by the French. The name Hellfighters was given to them by the Germans.