The First Brazilian Division

WWII

by Brian Knipple


The First Brazilian Division sailed in two large groups, followed later by two groups of replacements, from Rio de Janeiro directly to Italy. The first group, composed of 5,075 men of the 6th Infantry Regiment sans artillery, arrived at Naples on 16 July and was the unit assigned to Fifth Army. The second group, composed of the remainder of the division (10,375 men of the 1st and 11th Infantry Regiments) arrived at Naples on 6 October.

The above is from the detailed embarkation lists contained in Mascarenhas de Moraes' book, the division's history and the semi-official history of the Brazilian Army's participation in WWII (the only thing in English anyway). The division should arrive as follows:

Jul II 44 MTO:
1 x 3-2-8 Inf III 1/6 (Brz)

Oct I 44 MTO:
1 x 8 Inf XX HO 1 (Brz)
2 x 3-2-8 Inf III 1/1, 1/11 (Brz)

Add to the breakdown box:
1 x 9-7-8 Inf XX 1 (Brz)

Sources:

Mascarenhas de Moreas, J.B. The Brazilian Expeditionary Force by its Commander. 1965 (1981 Reprint). Rio de Janeiro.
Fisher, Ernest F. US Army in WWII: Cassino to the Alps. 1977. USGPO.


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