The Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira, FAB) played a significant role during World War II, particularly as part of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force (FEB).
Here are some key points about their contributions:
Formation and Early Years
The Brazilian Air Ministry was created by Presidential decree on January 20, 1941, combining the Army Air Service, the Naval Air Service, and the Department of Civil Aviation.
Battle of the Atlantic
From mid-1942 until the end of the war, the Brazilian Navy and Air Force were actively involved in the Battle of the Atlantic.
They performed anti-submarine and patrol operations in the South Atlantic, using American ships provided through the Lend-Lease program.
Italian Campaign
The FAB was part of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force that fought in the Mediterranean Theatre, primarily in the liberation of Italy from September 1944 to May 1945.
They were involved in several key battles, including the Gothic Line offensive and the Battle of Monte Castello.
Recognition and Impact
The FEB, including the FAB, was well-regarded for its tenacity and bravery. They took 20,573 Axis prisoners and played a crucial role in protecting Allied shipping and crippling Axis maritime power.
The Brazilian Air Force’s efforts during World War II were instrumental in the Allied victory and showcased their growing military aviation capabilities.
The Brazilian Air Force’s 1º Grupo de Aviação de Caça (1º GAC) flew P-47 Thunderbolt aircraft and achieved significant combat success.
While they are more renowned for their ground attack missions, some Brazilian pilots did achieve ace status by shooting down five or more enemy aircraft.
Aces
Brazil had several notable Aces during World War II.
Here are a few of them:
Alberto Martins Torres
Credited with 5 aerial victories.
Meira Vasconcelos
Credited with 5 aerial victories.
Dante Isidoro Gastaldoni
Credited with 5 aerial victories.
These pilots were part of the Brazilian Air Force and contributed significantly to the Allied efforts during the war.
Sources
Flight of the Ostrich—The Brazillian Air Force in WW II – JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26271144.
Brazil in World War II – Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazil_in_World_War_II.
Brazilian Expeditionary Force – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_Expeditionary_Force.
Brazilian Air Force – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_Air_Force.
