Brazil entered the war on Aug. 22, 1942, after German submarines sank several of its merchant ships in the Atlantic Ocean. Forca Aerea Brasileira (FAB) aircrews had already begun training with U.S. personnel and conducting anti-submarine flights off the coast of Brazil. By the end of 1944, this important mission was the sole responsibility of FAB aircrews flying U.S.-supplied aircraft.
From the fall of 1944 to the end of the war, an all-volunteer group of 48 Brazilian fighter pilots flew as a squadron attached to the U.S. Army Air Forces' 350th Fighter Group, 12th Air Force, in Italy. Designated the 1º Grupo de Aviacao de Caca (1º GAC), these P-47 Thunderbolt pilots amassed an impressive combat record that included the destruction of over 1,300 motor vehicles, 250 railway cars, and 25 bridges.

The ranks of the 25,000 FEB soldiers included the 1st Expeditionary Division, the 1st Reconnaissance Flying Squadron, and the Brazilian 1st Fighter Group — composed of four squadrons of the newly formed Brazilian Air Force (FAB, in Portuguese). These pioneering Brazilian aviators operated jointly with the air combat unit of U.S. Army 350th Fighter Group, conducting reconnaissance and interdiction missions across Italy and southern Europe.

For FAB, the war was truly a baptism by fire, with most operational sorties also serving as training opportunities; yet, by V-E Day, FAB had contributed to some 5 percent of all allied air sorties, accounting for the destruction of 15 percent of enemy vehicles, 28 percent of key bridges, 36 percent of enemy fuel deposits, and 85 percent of enemy munitions supplies. Furthermore, FAB aerial interdiction, in concert with FEB expeditionary ground forces under Gen. Mascarenhas de Morais, played a critical role in breaking the stalemate along the Gothic Line with Brazilian victories at Monte Castello and Montese.

In April 1945, Gen. Mascarenhas de Morais directed the Brazilian engagement at Collecchio, preventing the breakout of German troops across the Po Valley from retreating to the Reich. The surrender of German forces in the region, on April 29, 1945 — in one week the Brazilian general captured 1,500 Axis vehicles and field pieces, taking 14,700 prisoners — precipitated total Axis capitulation in Italy three days later, on May 2.

The FEB’s contributions, at a time when the majority of Allied forces were gathering for the larger invasion at Normandy, were invaluable in continuing the momentum against Axis troops in Italy — tying down experienced German forces from reinforcing the strategic Atlantic Wall, a 2,000-mile long chain of German defense along Europe’s northern shore. The exploits of the FEB were not without cost. Brazilian troops took significant losses during the campaign from 1944-1945, estimated at about 2,300, or some 11 percent of their total force. Beyond the Italian campaign, Brazil also lost several thousand sailors and 36 naval vessels in various engagements throughout the Atlantic campaign.

Thanks for that summary.
I knew that Brazil had participated in the war, but had never read a general history that provided even that much detail.

Fascinating. I had no idea either. Thanks for sharing.

In 1863 the Czar parked two flotillas of warships in American waters. Based in NY and San Fran, these ships deterred Southern raiders. Multiple reasons were inferred from their gesture, most self-serving, but the move was helpful to preservation of the union.

We also got most of our rubber from Brazil. Gas rationing during WWII wasn’t because of a shortage of oil, America had plenty. Rationing was to conserve rubber by restricting travel buy car. Some people who lived close to their work place and stores put their cars up on blocks for the duration. Do you think people today would do that?

quote:

Originally posted by Woodman:
In 1863 the Czar parked two flotillas of warships in American waters. Based in NY and San Fran, these ships deterred Southern raiders. Multiple reasons were inferred from their gesture, most self-serving, but the move was helpful to preservation of the union.

Interesting. That's one I did not know.

quote:

Originally posted by satch:
We also got most of our rubber from Brazil. Gas rationing during WWII wasn’t because of a shortage of oil, America had plenty. Rationing was to conserve rubber by restricting travel buy car. Some people who lived close to their work place and stores put their cars up on blocks for the duration. Do you think people today would do that?

I doubt that would happen today. Maybe we'd pull together if really threatened but we are so soft, self-centered and fractured today it is hard to envision.

I remember watching a documentary years ago about a Brazilian mountain infantry regiment that had fought in Italy during WWII, but had no idea that Brazil had a larger contribution that included the FAB. Brazilian Expeditionary Force