Ingrid Berman with Brazilians during the War

[Mooyman]

Rare Photo:



Best regards,

Ricardo.

[ccmax]

Nice photo. Probably taken in the US ??

[Mooyman]

Hi Cesar,

Yes, take in USA (Military Hospital).

Regards,

Ricardo.

[Si1964]

Hey Ricardo & Cesar
You will have to forgive my ignorance on this subject as I know very little. Firstly thanks for posting the photo I found it very interesting.

I was looking at Cesars thread yesterday about the memorial service in Italy with reenactors as Brazilian WWII soliders, it appeared to me in general that they were issued with US uniforms.

However, looking at these soldiers here, their uniforms don't initially have that US tailored look? Did you wear US dress uniforms or keep their Brazilian ones? For the solider on the left, his uniform looks in lots of ways like an Italian styled uniform.

[Si1964]

Sorry guys another question thats popped into my head. For some reason 50,000 pops into my head, is that the number of Bralians that served or the number that died during the war?


When did Brazil enter the war?
Did this cause any conflict with other South American countries?
Did Brazilian units operate independantly on their own?
Did they serve in all over or just in the European theater?

Sorry for all of these questions

[Mooyman]

Hi Simon,

This uniforms of the Brazilian Army were influenced by the French uniforms before the war.

After the arrival of Brazil in the Europe had some uniforms modifications and many had characteristics of the English and American uniforms (Yke Jackets and Battle Dress).

Brazil was supplied with combat uniforms for cold climates (M41, M3 and Tank jackets) by US Army.

Brazil entered in the war (August, 22 1942) because some Brazilian ships (33) had been sunk by German and Italian submarines, with many losses of lives (more 1.000).

Brazil was the only country in South America that fought in the Second World War. (The U.S. possessed important air bases in Brazil, vital for the patrolling of the South Atlantic)

The Brazilian Expeditionary Forces was incorporated the Fifth American Army in July 1944 with approximately 25,000 soldiers. It only fought in the Italian Front. Lost 465 mans in action.

Victories:
Camaiore, 18-IX-1944
M. Prano, 26-IX-1944
Monte Castelo, 21-II-1945
Castelnuovo, 5-III-1945
Montese, 14-IV-1945
Zocca, 20-IV-1945
Collechio, 26-IV-1945
Fornovo, 28-IV-1945

Enemy units that had entered in combat:

Germans:

42ª Division
232ª Infantry Division
84ª Infantry Division
114ª Division
29ª Motorized Division
334ª Infantry Division
90ª Motorized Division
148ª Infantry Division

Italians:

Division "Itália"
Division "Monte Rosa"
Division "San Marco"

Enemy Prisoners:

General Oficicers: 2
Officers :892
Soldier: 19,679

Total: 20.573 POWs

Best Regards,

Ricardo.

[Mooyman]

More information:

Brazilian Navy:

The Brazilian Navy carried through 195 escorts the convoys and together participated of 251 escorts the convoys with ships of the U.S. Navy.

The number of escorted ships totalized 1,396 Brazilian ships and 1,505 of other nationalities.

The Brazilian Navy lost more 500 men in action during the war.

The Brazilian Air Force:
The Brazilian pilots initially flew from 31 October 1944 as individual elements of flights of the 350th FG US squadrons, at first in affiliation flights and progressively taking part in more dangerous missions.

The Brazilian pilots had been trained in the US for fighter operations -- but the Luftwaffe had by then nearly no airplanes in Italy! Thus the 1ºGAVCA started its fighting career as a fighter-bomber unit, its missions being armed reconnaissance and interdiction, in support of the US 5th Army, to which the Brazilian Expeditionary Force was attached.

On 16 April 1945, the US 5th Army started its offensive along the Pó Valley. On this date, the Group was reduced to 25 pilots, some having been killed and others, having been shot down, becoming POWs. Also, some had been relieved from operations on medical grounds due to combat fatigue. The Yellow flight was thus disbanded, its remaining pilots being distributed among the other flights. Each pilot flew on average two missions a day.
On the 19 April, the German frontline was broken, this having been first signalled to Command HQ by the Group. The Allied forces had to set up a bridgehead across the River Pó, before the German forces crossed it. This was to be done on the 23 April, after a softening up of the German defences by the Air Force on the previous day.

April ,22 1945 - The day dawned cold, overcast and foggy. The three flights took off at 5 minute intervals starting at 8:30 AM, to attack targets in the San Benedetto region, destroying bridges, barges and motorized vehicles.

At 10:00 AM, a flight took off for an armed reconnaissance mission south of Mantua - more than 80 trucks and vehicles were destroyed. Other aircraft attacked fortified German positions, tanks and barges.
By the end of the day, the Group had flown 44 individual missions, having destroyed more than a hundred vehicles as well as barges, etc.


The Brazilian Air Force (1ºGAVCA) flew a total of 445 missions, 2,550 individual sorties and 5,465 combat flight hours, from 11 November 1944 to 4 May 1945.



The XXII Tactical Air Command acknowledged the efficiency of the Group by noting that, between 6 to 29 April 1945, it flew only 5% of the total of missions carried out by all squadrons under its control, but destroyed:

• 85% of the ammunition depots,
• 36% of the fuel depots,
• 28% of the bridges (19% damaged),
• 15% of motor vehicles (13% damaged) and
• 10% of horse-drawn vehicles (10% damaged).

The actions of the 1ºGAVCA during the Italian Campaign were even more exhalted on 22 April 1986. On that day the Group received, from the Mr. Ambassador of the USA to Brazil, together with the Secretary for the USAF, the Presidential Unit Citation (Air Force), given by the US Government. It is with pride that we acknowledge that, apart other few USAF units, only the 1ºGAVCA and two Royal Australian Air Force units - Nos. 2 and 13 Squadrons - have received this citation.

Best Regards,

Ricardo.

[Si1964]

Ricardo,

Thanks for the insight in the Brazilian forces WWII, I found it very interesting. As the Brazilian Air Force changed from fighter to a fighter bomber role, before this change where there any "aces"?

Thanks

[ccmax]

Actually the number of Brazilian KIA is around 2.000 men. The 500 figure only takes into account the men KIA in Italy, but many more died in the anti sub operations in the south Atlantic.

The Brazilian division served under operational command of the IV Corps/5th Army.

When the Brazilian pilots left for Italy the Luftawaffe was practically destroyed so I don't think there were many dogfights if any. A few pilots distinguished themselves against Axis subs in the Brazilian shores and in the number of air to ground attack missions in Italy though.

Best regards,
Cesar.