South American Nations involvment in World War II

So overall during the war as a whole I understand that South American nations where minor but I was wondering if anybody knew what nations supplied the allies with soldiers and any major battles they fought in. Basically at this point I know that several south American nations joined the war after Peat Harbor and Brazil did in mid 1943 after they had merchant ships sunk. I'm curious and can't seem to find any in-depth information.

Thanks.

 

I can't remember exactly which thread, but I do recall reading some information on this previously on the Forum. You may have to do a search by South American nation.

 

Hey, heres some wikipedia links that give a quick overview of south america's involvement. Interesting topic indeed.

Overview of countries involvement in the war

El Escuadrón 201 (201st Fighter Squadron)
Formed July 1944 24th. Had 25 P-47 aircraft, 30 pilots, 300 personnel part of the U.S. Fifth Air Force .Took part in the late stages of the Battle of Luzon

Brazilian Expeditionary Force
25,300-man force that took part in the Italian Campaign

 

I read somewhere that Mexico sent two units to the Pacific to fight the Japanese. One unit was a squadron of fighter aircraft, and the other unit was an Artillery unit.

 

There were quite a few Argentine pilots in the RAF too.

 

Don't forget Uruguay and the Graf Spee.

 

My Grandfather's brother was involved in the American vs. Axis shadow war in South America. "How deeply and with what?" have been subjects of speculation within the family for generations now (my late father heard rumors about Frank having something to do with the placing of altitude bombs in Axis rubber shipments), but the fact is that given the time and place he would have to have been involved. I wrote the CIA asking for information on my Uncle Frank Grab-and recieved a reply that I needed his signature-rather hard as he passed away in 1991. So...I guess we will never know...but it is a fact that someone thought enough of Frank to pay his way for Mayo Clinic visits once a year for several years after the War. Here is a link to Frank's photos-sources My cousin Bernadette's photobook from her visit down there in the '40s and my Grandfather's photos which I inherited when my Grandparents passed away in the 80s; Frank Grab of Sao Paulo Brazil; The WWII Era. pictures from south america photos on webshots
JeffinMNUSA
PS. The only book I could find on the Shadow War; http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/isbn=9780807107515/

 

Have you considered filing a request under the Freedom of Information Act? I am not sure of the extent to which the CIA has to comply but given the age of any documentation, it is at least worth a shot.

Good luck!

 

DG;
I have considered it. But it is possible that it could cause some problems for some people Frank knew down there or their descendants. My Cousin Bernadette spent time with Frank back in the 40s and 70s and there were still people looking to kill him for something or another-moreover, his second "wife" was a member of the Naval establishment and Bernadette thought the world of Marina. So...no official requests without the OK of my Cousin Bernadette even at this late date.
JeffinMNUSA
PS. Bernadette is alive and alert and in her nineties. Retired after teaching Portugeese at the University of Wisconsin Madison, she is the only member of Frank's familty to have travelled down to Sao Paulo to seek this enigmatic, almost legendary fellow out. She claims that Frank was the model for the Humphry Bogart charactor in "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre." It is also possible that Frank was just a self promoting, tall tale telling Yankee businessman who travelled to South American in the thirties and stayed; and wowed his rube relatives with his yarns. I somehow doubt it though.