Senegalese soldiers in Morocco, with families, c. 1912.

In the decade before World War I France was engaged in large-scale military operations in connection with bringing Morocco under French control. As part of the French forces came native troops from the longtime French possessions in West Africa, notably Senegal. In accordance with African custom, wives and children accompanied the Tirailleurs Sénégalais on their deployment to Morocco. Commercial postcard dealers attempted to meet the French public’s curiosity about these soldiers and their family life on campaign.

Page by Mark Conrad, 2011.