As Europe marks VE Day’s 80th anniversary, Somaliland’s sacrifices remain sidelined despite its troops’ loyalty in Britain’s darkest hour.
Thousands of Somaliland soldiers fought alongside British forces in WWII. On VE Day’s 80th anniversary, their bravery remains largely unrecognized—sparking calls for historical justice.
As Britain and its allies commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day—marking the defeat of Nazi Germany—one crucial chapter remains missing from the global remembrance: the story of Somaliland’s forgotten heroes.
In a heartfelt interview with Nation.Cymru, Professor Eid Ali Ahmed, a Somaliland-born academic based in Wales, expressed profound dismay over the continued erasure of thousands of Somaliland soldiers who fought alongside British forces during World War II.
“It is a shame that the people of Somaliland who gave their blood for peace and freedom are not being remembered while others are honored,” Professor Eid said.
History Buried in Silence
In 1940, the Italian military launched a powerful assault on the British Protectorate of Somaliland, forcing a temporary retreat of British forces to Aden. It was a humiliating setback, but one that set the stage for an extraordinary counteroffensive. Within six months, Britain returned—this time with critical support from local Somaliland fighters—reclaiming the territory and pushing back the Italian and Somali forces loyal to Mussolini.
Despite these sacrifices, Somaliland veterans were never granted the same honors or pensions awarded to European troops. Notably, even Italian forces, once enemies of the Allies, have been more visibly acknowledged in VE Day ceremonies.
The Camel Corps and the Unsung Bravery
One of the most iconic units in this overlooked history is the Somaliland Camel Corps, a rugged desert battalion that helped hold back fascist expansion across East Africa. While Queen Elizabeth II unveiled a monument to this unit in 2002, broader recognition for their sacrifices remains alarmingly absent.
Cemeteries in Hargeisa hold the names of fallen Somaliland soldiers, but their stories are not embedded in global memory. Even on VE Day’s 80th anniversary, their legacy was invisible amid the pomp and ceremony afforded to other Allied nations.
A Legacy of Loyalty—and Neglect
Professor Eid recounted the contributions of Somali troops not just in Africa but also in Burma and Tanganyika, where they supported British forces. Their involvement stretched into modern conflicts—serving as seafarers during the 1982 Falklands War.
Among those who recognized their valor was Captain Richard Darlington, a British officer so moved by Somali soldiers’ bravery that he settled in Somaliland post-war, dedicating his life to education. He received an MBE and OBE, founded Amoud High School, and was affectionately nicknamed Gacmadheere (long hand) for his charitable work.
Professor Eid, once Darlington’s student, now leads the Darlington Gacmadheere Foundation—offering scholarships to underprivileged Somaliland students. Yet even this living legacy struggles to fill the void left by Britain’s institutional silence.
“It is time,” says Professor Eid, “for Somaliland’s veterans to be honored—not just in stone, but in public memory, textbooks, and history.”
Eighty years after VE Day, the people of Somaliland continue to ask one simple thing: Remember us.
