Brazilian infantrymen take cover from German fire while clearing a village in northern Italy. Autumn 1944.
Brazilian Expeditionary Force troops advance through the Italian countryside, 1944–45, part of the Allied push up the peninsula against entrenched German positions. Far from home and fighting in harsh terrain, the “Smoking Cobras” proved that, yes—the snake would indeed smoke. 🐍🪖
"Si vis pacem, para bellum." — Vegetius
"Do not hurry to the sound of the guns without knowing why they are firing." — British maxim
"In war, the simplest things are difficult." — Clausewitz
"No plan survives first contact with the enemy." — Moltke
"The side that can most quickly exploit success is the side that will win." — Guderian
Some days you’re the hammer, some days you’re the nail. 🪖🎲
Looking for a game? Challenge me here:
Brazilian Expeditionary Force artillery crew preparing ammunition for a field gun in Italy, 1944–45. Part of the Allied Fifth Army, FEB units provided sustained artillery support during operations along the Gothic Line.
"Si vis pacem, para bellum." — Vegetius
"Do not hurry to the sound of the guns without knowing why they are firing." — British maxim
"In war, the simplest things are difficult." — Clausewitz
"No plan survives first contact with the enemy." — Moltke
"The side that can most quickly exploit success is the side that will win." — Guderian
Some days you’re the hammer, some days you’re the nail. 🪖🎲
Looking for a game? Challenge me here:
Brazilian Expeditionary Force soldiers gathered around a damaged rooftop in Italy, 1944–45. FEB units were stationed in urban and semi-urban areas during the later stages of the Italian campaign.
"Si vis pacem, para bellum." — Vegetius
"Do not hurry to the sound of the guns without knowing why they are firing." — British maxim
"In war, the simplest things are difficult." — Clausewitz
"No plan survives first contact with the enemy." — Moltke
"The side that can most quickly exploit success is the side that will win." — Guderian
Some days you’re the hammer, some days you’re the nail. 🪖🎲
Looking for a game? Challenge me here:
Brazilian 1st Fighter Aviation Squadron (FAB) pilots pose with a P-47 Thunderbolt in Italy, 1944–45. The unit operated under the U.S. Fifth Air Force, flying ground-attack missions against German positions during the final stages of the Italian campaign.
"Si vis pacem, para bellum." — Vegetius
"Do not hurry to the sound of the guns without knowing why they are firing." — British maxim
"In war, the simplest things are difficult." — Clausewitz
"No plan survives first contact with the enemy." — Moltke
"The side that can most quickly exploit success is the side that will win." — Guderian
Some days you’re the hammer, some days you’re the nail. 🪖🎲
Looking for a game? Challenge me here:
1st Fighter Aviation Squadron (Brazilian Air Force) in Italy, 1944–45. The unit flew P-47 Thunderbolts in support of Allied operations under the U.S. Fifth Air Force.
"Si vis pacem, para bellum." — Vegetius
"Do not hurry to the sound of the guns without knowing why they are firing." — British maxim
"In war, the simplest things are difficult." — Clausewitz
"No plan survives first contact with the enemy." — Moltke
"The side that can most quickly exploit success is the side that will win." — Guderian
Some days you’re the hammer, some days you’re the nail. 🪖🎲
Looking for a game? Challenge me here:
Brazilian Expeditionary Force soldiers gathered for an informal musical performance in Italy, 1944–45. FEB units spent extended periods in rear areas between operations, where moments like this provided rest and morale support during the campaign.
"Si vis pacem, para bellum." — Vegetius
"Do not hurry to the sound of the guns without knowing why they are firing." — British maxim
"In war, the simplest things are difficult." — Clausewitz
"No plan survives first contact with the enemy." — Moltke
"The side that can most quickly exploit success is the side that will win." — Guderian
Some days you’re the hammer, some days you’re the nail. 🪖🎲
Looking for a game? Challenge me here:
Brazilian Expeditionary Force troops are greeted by civilians in Massarosa, Italy, September 1944. The town had recently been secured during the Allied advance through Tuscany.
"Si vis pacem, para bellum." — Vegetius
"Do not hurry to the sound of the guns without knowing why they are firing." — British maxim
"In war, the simplest things are difficult." — Clausewitz
"No plan survives first contact with the enemy." — Moltke
"The side that can most quickly exploit success is the side that will win." — Guderian
Some days you’re the hammer, some days you’re the nail. 🪖🎲
Looking for a game? Challenge me here:
Brazilian Infantrymen take time out to read their mail in fox holes on the Italian front. Dec 1944
General Otto Fretter-Pico of German 148th Infantry Division in Brazilian custody, Fornovo di Taro, Italy, circa 29 Apr 1945
"Si vis pacem, para bellum." — Vegetius
"Do not hurry to the sound of the guns without knowing why they are firing." — British maxim
"In war, the simplest things are difficult." — Clausewitz
"No plan survives first contact with the enemy." — Moltke
"The side that can most quickly exploit success is the side that will win." — Guderian
Some days you’re the hammer, some days you’re the nail. 🪖🎲
Looking for a game? Challenge me here:
Brazilian Expeditionary Force artillery crew (“Smoking Snakes”) loading a U.S.-supplied howitzer in the Italian winter, 1944–45 — cold steel, steady hands, and the cobra very much smoking.
"Si vis pacem, para bellum." — Vegetius
"Do not hurry to the sound of the guns without knowing why they are firing." — British maxim
"In war, the simplest things are difficult." — Clausewitz
"No plan survives first contact with the enemy." — Moltke
"The side that can most quickly exploit success is the side that will win." — Guderian
Some days you’re the hammer, some days you’re the nail. 🪖🎲
Looking for a game? Challenge me here:
Refuelling the Brazilian Thunderbolt at Italy.
