WWII Brazilian Expeditionary Force Veteran Dies at 103
Captain Elmo Diniz, one of the last surviving veterans of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force (FEB), died yesterday at age 103. He fought alongside American forces in Italy during World War II.
Born on February 4, 1922, in Cruz Alta, Brazil, Diniz joined the Army at age 17 in 1939 – just months before World War II began. At that time, Brazil seemed distant from the raging European and Pacific conflicts involving German and Japanese forces.
But everything changed when German U-Boats started sinking Brazilian merchant ships in 1942, leading to civilian casualties and igniting a surge of nationalism – including support for sending an Expeditionary Force to Europe. Thousands of Brazilians volunteered to join the contingent, including Diniz, who had recently been promoted to 2nd Sergeant in the 6th Regiment of Mounted Artillery.
In July 1944, Elmo Diniz and the Brazilian Expeditionary Force were deployed to Italy to fight alongside the Allied forces. Under the command of João Batista Mascarenhas de Moraes, an artillery general, Diniz and the FEB Divisional Artillery played an important role in softening up German and Italian defenses as the infantry units forged ahead. The FEB faced formidable challenges, including highly skilled German soldiers entrenched in strategic positions, including during the Battle of Monte Castello – a fierce, three-month-long engagement that would result in 417 Brazilian casualties.
The harsh European winter of 1944-45 was also a serious challenge, with temperatures plummeting as low as 5°F in the Apennine Mountains. The fierce combat and extreme weather took a toll on the Brazilian troops stationed in Italy. But despite the difficult conditions, the FEB showed remarkable resilience and bravery, leaving a lasting impression on the Allied generals and militaries of the free world.
After the war, in September 1945, Elmo Diniz returned to Brazil. He continued his service in the military, eventually rising to the rank of Captain before retiring in 1962.