Chile
CHILE, Republic of Chile, Republica de Chile.
General Information:
Overview:
Armed Forces: Chile's army was based on a national militia system that emphasized total mobilization of the country's menpower. All citizens capable of bearing arms were required to serve in the armed services in case of a general mobilization. By the war's outbrake, there were three military districts which were obligated to raise a whole division in case of hostilities (in 1940 one more military district was created). The army consisted of three cadre divisions of the military districts (four since 1940) and a cavalry division (each division included three brigades). By early 1940's these five cadre divisions included the following units: 12 regiments and four mountain infantry battalions, six cavalry regiments, four field artillery regiments, one heavy artillery group and six mountain artillery groups, four engineer battalions (pontoons, sappers, and communications), one regiment of railway troops, one regiment of heavy bridge engineers, two mixed detachments, and other units. In 1943 first motorized divisions were established. On full mobilization the strength of the armed forces would reach in excess of 725 000 troops. The air force underwent considerable expansion in 1943, fielding four air brigades of mostly U.S.-manufactured planes. Each military district had an air brigade permanently assigned to it. The navy possessed eight large destroyers, nine submarines, two coastal defence ships, a surveying ship, a submarine depot ship, two oil tankers, and miscellaneous training and auxiliary vessels. It had some 8 000 personnel.
Main article: History of Chile
Initially, Chile chose to remain neutral in the war, having close trading links with Germany. Later in the war, however, Chile distanced itself from the Axis powers, and the Chilean government took steps to dismiss pro-German military officers. An attempted Nazi-backed coup in September 1938 turned most of the Chilean population against the German community within Chile. Relations with Axis countries were broken and war was declared in 1943. Throughout the duration of the war, Chile stationed navy ships around its territory of Easter Island to protect it from a potential Japanese attack against South America, and military presence was strengthened at the vital harbors of Antofagasta, Valparaíso and Puerto Montt. From 1943 to 1945, the Chilean prison camp of Pisagua became the site of wartime internment for citizens of enemy nations when Chile entered World War II on the Allied side.
General Information:
Overview:
Armed Forces: Chile's army was based on a national militia system that emphasized total mobilization of the country's menpower. All citizens capable of bearing arms were required to serve in the armed services in case of a general mobilization. By the war's outbrake, there were three military districts which were obligated to raise a whole division in case of hostilities (in 1940 one more military district was created). The army consisted of three cadre divisions of the military districts (four since 1940) and a cavalry division (each division included three brigades). By early 1940's these five cadre divisions included the following units: 12 regiments and four mountain infantry battalions, six cavalry regiments, four field artillery regiments, one heavy artillery group and six mountain artillery groups, four engineer battalions (pontoons, sappers, and communications), one regiment of railway troops, one regiment of heavy bridge engineers, two mixed detachments, and other units. In 1943 first motorized divisions were established. On full mobilization the strength of the armed forces would reach in excess of 725 000 troops. The air force underwent considerable expansion in 1943, fielding four air brigades of mostly U.S.-manufactured planes. Each military district had an air brigade permanently assigned to it. The navy possessed eight large destroyers, nine submarines, two coastal defence ships, a surveying ship, a submarine depot ship, two oil tankers, and miscellaneous training and auxiliary vessels. It had some 8 000 personnel.
Main article: History of Chile
Initially, Chile chose to remain neutral in the war, having close trading links with Germany. Later in the war, however, Chile distanced itself from the Axis powers, and the Chilean government took steps to dismiss pro-German military officers. An attempted Nazi-backed coup in September 1938 turned most of the Chilean population against the German community within Chile. Relations with Axis countries were broken and war was declared in 1943. Throughout the duration of the war, Chile stationed navy ships around its territory of Easter Island to protect it from a potential Japanese attack against South America, and military presence was strengthened at the vital harbors of Antofagasta, Valparaíso and Puerto Montt. From 1943 to 1945, the Chilean prison camp of Pisagua became the site of wartime internment for citizens of enemy nations when Chile entered World War II on the Allied side.