This Day in History

[Adm.Lee]

Originally Posted by pmulcahy11b

Countries that had thus far only played a bit part in World War 2 would be contributing hundreds or thousands of troops.

Not sure what you mean here. MacArthur was actively trying to limit the number of Commonwealth forces committed, and they certainly weren't playing bit parts.

[Legbreaker]

Absolutely. Take Australia for example. For a while there we were the ONLY country fighting in the Pacific region, and it was Australian troops which inflicted the first defeats upon the Japanese.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

Originally Posted by Adm.Lee

Not sure what you mean here. MacArthur was actively trying to limit the number of Commonwealth forces committed, and they certainly weren't playing bit parts.

There were a number of American nations that would possibly have been involved as they were already working with or as part of the Allied war effort.

Mexico had already committed a fighter squadron and its support components to the Pacific war (operating in the Phillipines).

Argentina declared war on Germany and Japan in March 1945 but before then about 800 Argentine volunteers served with British, Canadian and South African air forces in Europe.

Brazil had sent an air force/army expeditionary force to the Mediterranean of some 25,000 personnel after German u-boat attacks on Brazilian shipping and would likely have sent troops to the Pacific because the public supported the cause.

Chile distanced itself from the Axis powers over the course of the war and declared war against Japan in 1945 although by then the war was almost over.

Colombia was in a "state of belligerency" with Germany after a u-boat sank a Colombian ship in late 1943. Colombian forces helped guard the Panama Canal.

Cuba declared war against the Axis powers in 1941 and was planning a conscription programme so they could send troops but they were still being finalized when the war ended.

Dominican Republic declared war on Japan and Germany after Pearl Harbour and about 110-120 Dominicans were placed in US units and fought in the war.

Guatemala declared war on Japan and Germany after Pearl Harbour.

Honduras declared war on Japan and Germany after Pearl Harbour.

Nicaragua declared war on Japan after Pearl Harbour and then later on Germany and its European allies.

Uruguay while neutral for most of the war declared war against the Axis towards the end of the war although a number of pilots joined the Free French