Traveling Tuesday: Latin America During WW2

 

Traveling Tuesday: 

Latin America During World War II

Little is written about Latin America’s presence during World War II. Both a geographical and cultural region, Latin America is composed of countries that primarily speak Spanish and Portuguese: Mexico, most of Central and South America, and parts of the Caribbean. Initially neutral most of South America joined the Allies as the war progressed, with several declaring war on Japan shortly after the attack at Pearl Harbor. Eight of the twenty-six nations who signed the Declaration of the United Nations on January 1, 1942 which stated they would “employ all their resources in the war against the Axis powers” were Latin American.

The largest of the Latin American countries, Brazil sent troops to the European Theater (the only Latin American country to do so). Formed after the Casablanca Conference the Brazilian Expeditionary Force fought in the Italian Campaign as well as the Battle of the Atlantic. Known for its “tenacity and bravery” the BEF took nearly 21,000 prisoners. Brazil also provided air bases to the Allies for resupply operations.

Mexico sent their Escuadrón 201 (the Aztec Eagles), a fighter squadron of 300 volunteers to the Pacific

Theater. They also flew missions in the Philippines alongside the U.S. air force. Additionally, Mexico provided oil and war materiel to the U.S. under the “Good Neighbor Policy” as well as workers under the Bracero Program.

Because of the disruption of trade with Europe, Latin American found itself dependent upon trade with the United States, a mixed blessing. A high demand for products such as petroleum, platinum, copper, cotton, nitrate for American industries brought money into Latin America, but created shortages which ultimately resulted in inflation.

Under Lend-Lease, enacted in March 1941, America provided food, equipment, weapons, and other supplies free of charge but in exchange for military bases and assisting in defense of the Western Hemisphere. Fair or not, as the largest Latin American country, Brazil received about 75% of the Lend-Lease Aid. Interestingly, Argentina and Chile received very little and only toward the end of the war when they agreed to sever relations with the Axis powers.

____________

Norwegian Nights (The Resistance Chronicles, Book 2)

Can their marriage endure a debilitating injury, a devastating loss, and a world war?

The second anniversary of Germany’s occupation of Norway has passed with no end in sight, so Gustav Westgard and his wife are still exiled on Shetland. He’s convinced Oda’s miscarriage would have been prevented back in Norway and decides he must return to his homeland to do whatever possible to rid the country of its invaders. Will he live to see liberation?

Grieving the loss of her baby, Oda turns toward her heavenly Father as Gustav retreats inside himself. Rather than try to stop him after she discovers he plans to join the Norwegian resistance, she stows away onboard the ship taking him home. Can she convince him that they are better united in a cause than apart?

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/bwl5qv

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latin_America_during_World_War_II
https://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft567nb3f6&chunk.id=d0e271&toc.depth=1&toc.id=d0e271&brand=eschol
https://omniatlas.com/maps/south-america/19450420/
https://blogs.loc.gov/headlinesandheroes/2018/08/good-neighbors-stories-from-latin-america-in-world-war-ii/
https://www.oas.org/fpdb/press/World-War-II-and-Its-Lasting-Impact-on-the-Americas-and-the-Inter-American-System-(2).pdf

Photo Credits:
Map: https://omniatlas.com

Aztec Eagles and US Air Force Members: National Museum of World War II