A few weeks back,a visitor to the History Center asked me about Brazil's status during WWII.It was an interesting position that is now not widely known.In an upcoming post,I'll discuss a Framingham US Navy pilot whose squadron deployed to Natal, Brazil during WWII.
Following the 7 December 1941 Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor,the US Navy was granted access to Brazilian ports to support its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) campaign against German submarines in the Battle of the Atlantic.On 11 December 1941,Germany declared war on the US.Although Brazil broke off diplomatic relations with Germany following the declaration of war,it did not immediately declare war on the Third Reich.In early 1942,Brazil granted permission for the US to establish air bases and military installations on its territory.These stations supported ASW operations and were essential logistics stops for aircraft and ships heading to North Africa and other Mediterranean locations.Recife and Natal,Brazil,were particularly important locations.
Between January and July of 1942,Axis submarines sank 36 Brazilian merchant ships causing over 2,000 casualties.These ships were carrying shipments of raw materials to the US and England.The public outcry in Brazil was significant.On 22 August 1942, President Getúllo Dornelles Vargas declared war on Germany and Italy.Brazil was the first South American State to declare war on the Axis powers,and the twenty-ninth nation to do so.
Brazilian government propaganda poster announcing the declaration of war on the Axis powers. The caption reads: "Brazil at war...Opening the road to victory!
Image: Government of Brazil, Public Domain
The Brazilian Navy and Air Force helped protect convoys and made it difficult for German and Italian submarines to operate in the Atlantic Ocean and in the Caribbean.In early 1943,the Brazilian Expeditionary Force (BEF) was formed.It had both Army and Air Force components and consisted of 25,700 men and women.Between July 1944 and February 1945,some 25,000 Brazilian soldiers were sent to Italy to support the Allied ground campaign against German forces.The BEF had a notable role in numerous battles in Italy including the Battle of Monte Castello, and the Battle of Montese.The force spent 239 days in combat,during which they captured over 20,000 Axis soldiers.
BEF shoulder patch-Army - “The Smoking Snake"
Image: Government of Brazil, Public Domain
Map of FEB actions in northern Italy, 1944–1945
Image: Brazilian National Archives, Public Domain
Brazilian soldiers in a trench during the Battle of Montese, April 1945
Image: Brazilian National Archives, Public Domain
The BEF air branch was attached to the US Army Air Force.Their pilots flew P-47 Thunderbolt fighter planes from Tarquinia, Italy.In total,they conducted 445 missions and destroyed military targets including 1,304 motor vehicles,13 railway wagons,8 armored cars,25 railway and highway bridges,and 31 fuel tanks and munitions depots.
Brazilian P-47 Thunderbolt
Image: Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Public Domain
Brazilian P-47 Thunderbolt Pilots
Image: Museum of the U.S. Air Force, Public Domain
From 1942 to 1945,Brazilians actively contributed to the Allied cause on land, air,and at sea.Before the war ended,Brazil lost 1,889 soldiers and sailors,31 merchant vessels,3 warships,and 22 fighter aircraft.At the end of the war,they returned home as national heroes.
Sources
Imperial War Museum
National WWII Museum
Museum of the U.S. Air Force
Historynet
National Archives Brazil
Recommended Video
The BEF Story,the “Smoking Snake” and 3 Brazilian WWII Heroes and the Sabaton Hard Rock song honoring them…
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