Brazil during World War Two facts for kids
Brazil was an important country during World War II. It was one of the Allied countries. Brazil was the only country in South America to send soldiers to fight. They helped a lot in the war effort. Brazilian troops fought in the Italian Campaign. The Brazilian Navy and Air Force also helped in the Atlantic Ocean from 1942 to 1945.
Why Did Brazil Join the War?
At the start of World War II, Brazil was neutral. This meant they did not pick a side. They traded with both the Allies and the Axis powers. But after 1939, trading with Europe became hard.
Brazil then started trading more with the United States. The US wanted Brazil to join the Allies. This led to a special defense group between Brazil and the US. Its goal was to stop Axis influence in South America.
In early 1942, Brazil let the US build air bases on its land. In return, the US agreed to help Brazil build a steel industry. This company, Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional, would make steel for the Allies. After the war, it would help Brazil grow its own industries.
Brazil also stopped talking to Germany, Japan, and Italy.
U-Boat Attacks
Because Brazil sided with the Allies, German U-boats started sinking Brazilian ships. From January to July 1942, 13 Brazilian merchant ships were sunk. Merchant ships carry goods for trade.
In total, 21 German and two Italian submarines sank 36 Brazilian merchant ships. This caused 1,691 people to drown and many more injuries. These attacks were the main reason Brazil joined the war.
On August 22, 1942, Brazil's leader, Getúlio Vargas, declared war. Brazil was now at war with Germany and Italy. During the war, nine U-boats were sunk off the Brazilian Coast.
The Smoking Cobras
The Brazilian Expeditionary Force (BEF) was Brazil's army group. It had about 25,344 soldiers. They were part of the US Fifth Army. It took some time for them to get ready.
Some people in Brazil thought the government did not want to send troops. A popular saying was that "snakes would smoke" before the BEF went to war. This meant it would probably never happen.
When the BEF finally went to war, they wore a special patch. It showed a cobra with a pipe in its mouth. They proudly called themselves the "Smoking Cobras."
The BEF wore American uniforms. But they had Brazilian rank and unit signs. They fought very well in Italy. At the Battle of Collecchio, the BEF defeated several German and Italian divisions. They captured 14,700 soldiers and 800 officers. This included two generals.
During eight months of fighting, the BEF captured 20,573 Axis soldiers. They lost 450 soldiers and 13 officers.
The Brazilian Navy and Air Force played a big role in the Battle of the Atlantic. They started fighting in mid-1942 and continued until 1945. They hunted for submarines and patrolled the South Atlantic.
They received ships from the US through the Lend-Lease program. This included submarine-chasers and destroyers. Some larger destroyers were built in Rio de Janeiro.
The Air Force got modern planes. These included Curtiss P-36 Hawks, Curtiss P-40 Warhawks, and North American B-25 Mitchells. For patrols, they used Lockheed Hudsons, Lockheed Venturas, and Consolidated PBY Catalina Flying boats.
Their help made a quick difference. Between July and December 1943, the Brazilian Air Force and Navy destroyed six German submarines. About 500 of the 7,000 Brazilian sailors who fought were killed.
The Navy protected 3,164 merchant ships during the war. Only three were sunk while under their protection. Air Force pilots flew 2,550 missions. They destroyed 85% of the ammunition dumps and 36% of the fuel depots. They also destroyed 28% of the bridges in their area.
