Search for Mutual Benefits

Abstract

The American military was considerably preoccupied with the security of Northeast Brazil when the war began in 1939. The region was not sufficiently garrisoned and Brazil did not have arms and equipment to place new units there. The Americans pursued various subterfuges to get their troops into the area, but the Brazilians were uncertain that they would leave when the danger passed. The chapter follows the often twisted path of negotiations. The American planners developed elaborate ideas, proposals, and even invasions to secure the region. Such plans could not be put into effect because of the lack of troops, shipping, and extra equipment. The effort led to the rise and fall of the American Military Attache and Mission Chief L. Miller who went from being a friend of the Brazilian leaders to being declared persona non grata. The chapter discusses the secret role of Pan American Airways and its Brazilian subsidiary Panair do Brasil, under US Army contract, to obtain land and develop a string of air bases that connected north to Florida and east to Africa, which made the air force’s transport system possible.