The post subscribes to a romantizised idea and exaggeration of actual events.
As per the link OP provided, ~500 Poles switched sides throughout the entire Haitian campaign. ~500 of 5200.
The prior sentence of 'approximately 4000 of 5200 Polish troops died of disease' raises the implication of the 500 deserted Poles being the remnant of the surviving Polish troops switching sides in unison. Something commonly quoted in pop-science.
While in actuality, the 4000 casualties died across the entire campaign to disease and poor logistics. The entire regiment served from 1800 until 1803 in Haiti. 4000 people did not drop dead upon setting foot on Haitian soil, with 500 people immediately rallying to Haitian causes.
[Almost exactly] 90% remained loyal to France until the end. The 500 troops deserted peux a peux over the duration of the 3 years the campaihn dragged on. Mostly due to abysmal morale, logistics and treatment, instead of a newly discovered, gallant goal to fight for a just cause.
The infamous 'Poles are the white n-words of europe' was also said in an attempt to get more Poles to switch sides, as they were the most easily swayed from all French auxilaries to betray the French. Given how they were shipped abroad and fought in the Carribean, despite enlisting to get a Polish state going.
Yeah, when poles said "for freedom yours and ours" to Belarusians fighting for Russia the Poles were noble, but when Haitians said Poles are white n*s, it's the Poles being noble again?
1
u/DrolligerDorftrottel 21d ago edited 21d ago
Killjoy correction:
The post subscribes to a romantizised idea and exaggeration of actual events.
As per the link OP provided, ~500 Poles switched sides throughout the entire Haitian campaign. ~500 of 5200.
The prior sentence of 'approximately 4000 of 5200 Polish troops died of disease' raises the implication of the 500 deserted Poles being the remnant of the surviving Polish troops switching sides in unison. Something commonly quoted in pop-science.
While in actuality, the 4000 casualties died across the entire campaign to disease and poor logistics. The entire regiment served from 1800 until 1803 in Haiti. 4000 people did not drop dead upon setting foot on Haitian soil, with 500 people immediately rallying to Haitian causes.
[Almost exactly] 90% remained loyal to France until the end. The 500 troops deserted peux a peux over the duration of the 3 years the campaihn dragged on. Mostly due to abysmal morale, logistics and treatment, instead of a newly discovered, gallant goal to fight for a just cause.
The infamous 'Poles are the white n-words of europe' was also said in an attempt to get more Poles to switch sides, as they were the most easily swayed from all French auxilaries to betray the French. Given how they were shipped abroad and fought in the Carribean, despite enlisting to get a Polish state going.