Separate, But Heroes

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African-American soldiers fought for their country from the very earliest days of the U.S. Army’s existence: about 25 percent of the Continental Army’s total manpower was Black. During the Second World War, some 1.2 million African-Americans served in the U.S. military, making up about 7.5 percent of the total. In 2025, Black soldiers represent 19 percent of the U.S. Army's total strength (compared to 13 percent of the overall population).

During the Second World War, those men served in segregated units, usually termed “Colored.” Elite units like the 761st “Black Panthers” Tank Battalion amassed impressive war records; others, deprived of the men who should have provided Black officers and NCO’s, did less well.

Separate, But Heroes is the story of these men and the segregated units in which they served. It’s a history that our government would rather see erased, a truth that’s disappearing from the U.S. Department of Defense’s websites. At Avalanche Press, we choose not to be complicit in this whitewashing of history. Silence is not neutrality. Silence is surrender.

Instead, we tell the story of the Black Panthers. Of the trial of Jackie Robinson. Of the Black paratroopers of the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion, of the Buffalo Soldiers, of the Harlem Hellfighters. All of the stories they don’t want you to read, that they want you to forget.

These were American soldiers. American heroes. And we will not allow them to be forgotten.

Separate, But Heroes is a companion book to our Panzer Grenadier: Black Panthers scenario book. It’s filled with history and stories; it’s a standalone book and you don’t need to know anything about the game to feel its truths.