Brazilian Expeditionary Force in World War II (Men-at-Arms Book 465)

In the English-speaking world, it is generally unknown that a volunteer Brazilian Expeditionary Force (FEB) fought alongside the US Army in Italy from mid-1944 until the end of World War II (1939-1945). This was in effect a light infantry division, consisting of three infantry regiments augmented with artillery and light armour. It was supported by a Brazilian Air Force contingent of a light reconnaissance squadron as well as a P-47 Thunderbolt-equipped fighter squadron. Although all weapons, uniform, kit and equipment were either American-supplied or American models, there were distinctive Brazilian adaptations to uniforms and other key pieces of kit. This is a seriously researched volume on a little-studied subject matter complete with a range of previously unpublished photographs and specially commissioned artwork plates. COVER......Page 1 TITLE......Page 2 INTRODUCTION......Page 3 The Brazilian armed forces in the interwar period......Page 4 Brazilian–US cooperation in the South Atlantic......Page 5 Creation of the FEB......Page 6 Personnel and training......Page 8 Initial combat experience, September–October 1944......Page 9 Monte Castello, November–December 1944......Page 11 Holding the line, December 1944–February 1945......Page 13 Close-quarter combat by night......Page 14 Monte Castello and La Serra, February 1945......Page 15 April–May 1945......Page 18 1st Reconnaissance Troop......Page 22 The final advance......Page 33 The postwar years......Page 34 THE BRAZILIAN AIR FORCE SQUADRONS......Page 35 UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT......Page 36 FEB uniforms......Page 37 Insignia......Page 39 Field equipment......Page 41 FURTHER READING & SOURCES......Page 42 PLATE COMMENTARIES......Page 43 INDEX......Page 48 IMPRINT......Page 49 In the English-speaking world, it is generally unknown that a volunteer Brazilian Expeditionary Force (FEB) fought alongside the US Army in Italy from mid-1944 until the end of the war. This was in effect a light infantry division, consisting of three infantry regiments augmented with artillery and light armour. It was supported by a Brazilian Air Force contingent of a light reconnaissance squadron as well as a P-47 Thunderbolt-equipped fighter squadron. Although all weapons, uniform, kit and equipment were either American-supplied or American models, there were distinctive Brazilian adaptations to uniforms and other key pieces of kit. This is a seriously researched volume on a little-studied subject matter complete with a range of previously unpublished photographs and specially commissioned artwork plates. Cover; Title; Contents; Introduction; The Brazilian Armed Forces in the Interwar Period; Brazil Joins the Allies, 1942; Brazilian-US Cooperation in the South Atlantic; The Brazilian Expeditionary Force; Creation of the FEB; Personnel and Training; Italy; Initial Combat Experience, September-October 1944; The Brazilian Division in Battle; Monte Castello, November-December 1944; Holding the Line, December 1944-February 1945; Close-Quarter Combat by Night; Operation "Encore"; Monte Castello and La Serra, February 1945; Montese and the Po Valley; April-May 1945; 1st Reconnaissance Troop In the English-speaking world, it is generally unknown that a volunteer Brazilian Expeditionary Force (FEB) fought alongside the US Army in Italy from mid-1944 until the end of the war. This book provides a historical account of an often-overlooked aspect of World War Two The Final AdvanceThe Postwar Years; The Brazilian Air Force Squadrons; Uniforms and Equipment; FEB Uniforms; Insignia; Helmet Insignia; Field Equipment; Further Reading & Sources; Plate Commentaries; Imprint Beretning om de 26.000 brasilianske soldater der deltog i 2. Verdenskrig under amerikansk kommando. Bogen indeholder illustrationer af soldaternes uniformer og udrustning