WHY CAMEROONIANS PARTICIPATED IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR

WHY CAMEROONIANS PARTICIPATED IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR

1. Britain and France were the administering authorities in Cameroon: Cameroonians therefore had a moral obligation to support them.
2. The appeal of General Charles de Gaulle: He declared after the German defeat of France in 1940 that France had lost a battle and not the war. Many Cameroonians accepted •the appeal of de Gaulle and fought for the free French movement, which was formed by de Gaulle:
3. The War time propaganda: Britain and France claimed that they were fighting for a free world and this propaganda encouraged some Cameroonians to join the war.
4. The war was a means of employment: The Cameroonians who served in the war are soldiers, carriers, and so were paid for their services.
5. The need for raw materials: This was a factor that encouraged Britain to involve Cameroonians in the war so that they could supply raw materials.
6. The fear of the return of the Germans: There were some Cameroonians who did not want the Germans to come back to Cameroon. Also Britain and France involved Cameroon in the war in order to stop a possible German come back.
7. The French high commissioner Richard Brunot paid his allegiance to the pro-German government at Vichy. General de Gaulle had to involve Carneroonians in order to topple the high commissioner.

The Role of British Cameroonians to the war efforts

1. British Cameroonians fought in the war as soldiers. Many joined the Royal West African Frontier Force Cameroonian soldiers fought in places such as Burma, North Africa and Palestine.
2. Many were recruited to serve as porters or carriers. They supplied food and other supplies to the soldiers in the war front.
3. When the Japanese occupied the British South East Asian. Colonies, Cameroon became an important source of raw materials such as rubber and oil palm.
4. British Cameroonians made financial contribution of about 100 pounds.
5. They performed scout duties.

The Contribution (role) of French Cameroonians towards the war efforts

1. French Cameroonians fought as soldier many volunteer to join General Gaulle’s Free French forces they fought in North Africa.
2. Many were recruited to serves as porters or carriers. They supplied food and other supplies to the soldiers in the war fronts.
3. They made financial contribution. For example the General Assembly of the Agricultural co­operative of Bafang contributed 15.000frs.
4. They helped colonel Lecterc sent by General Gaulle to overthrow Richard Brunot, the French High commissioner in Cameroon who was loyal to the Pro-German Vichy regime.