Monte Castello

Following the sinkings of a number of their merchantmen by U-boats, Brazil declared war on Germany and Italy in August 1942. A year later, after lengthy training, the Brazilain 1st Expeditionary Infantry Division arrived in Naples in mid July 1944. Put at General Crittenberger’s disposal, the Brazilian division …

1944-12-12

A067

Following the sinkings of a number of their merchantmen by U-boats, Brazil declared war on Germany and Italy in August 1942. A year later, after lengthy training, the Brazilain 1st Expeditionary Infantry Division arrived in Naples in mid July 1944. Put at General Crittenberger’s disposal, the Brazilian division saw heavy action during the Allied offensive to crack the Gothic Line in October and November. After pushing into the Reno Valley as part of the IV Corps advance, it attacked Monet Castello – a dominating height overlooking the vital Highway 64 – on 29 November, but suffered a bloody repulse. Crittenberger, eager to break through to Bologna before the onset of winter, ordered another attempt. In heavy fog, on 12 December, the battle-worn Brazilians set foot on the lower slopes of Monte Castello once more.

Gaggio Montano, Italy

The Brazilian Expeditionary Force consisted of about 25,900 men arranged by the army and air force to fight alongside the Allied forces in the Mediterranean Theatre of World War II. This air–land force consisted of (replacements included) a complete infantry division, a liaison flight, and a fighter squadron. It fought in Italy from September 1944 to May 1945, while the Brazilian Navy as well as the Air Force also acted in the Battle of the Atlantic from the middle of 1942 until the end of the war. During the almost eight months of its campaign, fighting at the Gothic Line and in the 1945 final offensive, the FEB took 20,573 Axis prisoners, consisting of two generals, 892 officers, and 19,679 other ranks. Brazil was the only independent South American country to send ground troops to fight overseas during the Second World War, losing 948 men killed in action across all three services.

Brazilian

German

Scenario Type = Standard