While the Western Front dominates our imagination of World War I, a massive, often overlooked workforce was building the logistical backbone of the British Empire. This episode explores the Chinese Labour Corps, recruited by France and Britain to perform essential non-combat duties on the Western Front from 1916 to 1918. We examine how over 100,000 men were brought from China to dig trenches, load munitions, and repair roads under brutal conditions. Lucas and Luna discuss the recruitment methods involving the Green Gang in Shanghai, the harsh realities of their labor, and the racial tensions that flared when these men encountered white soldiers. The conversation also touches on the post-war legacy, including the hidden graves at Le Touret and the long silence surrounding their contribution until recent historical reevaluations. By focusing on these laborers, we see the true scale of imperial mobilization and the human cost behind the industrial warfare of the twentieth century.
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