Generations of Senegalese Family in French Military
- A Senegalese family has a long history of military service in the French army across generations.
- N'Dongo Dieng, like his father and grandfather, served as a 'tirailleur' in the French army.
- They will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Provence landing where Dieng's father participated.
At 89 years old, N'Dongo Dieng recalls his time as a tirailleur in France's colonial army during the 1954 wintering season in Senegal. Living in Mbao, near Dakar, Dieng reminisces about his past as a typist at the prefecture of Kaolack, sharing memories that highlight his family's deep military roots. His grandfather served in World War I, while his father participated in the Provence landings in 1944, underscoring a legacy of service that spans generations. Dieng is set to travel to Toulon, France, on August 15 to commemorate the contributions of Senegalese tirailleurs, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and Senegal's Minister of the Armed Forces, Birame Diop. He will be accompanied by members of the Association for the Memory and History of Senegalese Tirailleurs (AMHTS), including local elected official Aïssata Seck, and fellow veterans Yoro Diao, Ousmane Sagna, and Ousmane Badji. During his service, Dieng and his regiment were deployed to various conflict zones, including Indochina and Algeria. He reflects on the significant number of tirailleurs sent to Indochina compared to Algeria, emphasizing the extensive involvement of Senegalese soldiers in these colonial wars. The upcoming commemoration serves as a poignant reminder of their sacrifices and contributions to French military history. As Dieng prepares for this significant event, he embodies the enduring spirit of the tirailleurs, whose stories continue to resonate in both Senegal and France.