I’ve always loved history. Given a choice, history might be my favorite subject to read or study.
And I really like trivia.
I was researching some info on Mexico’s imports/ exports and came across some really interesting facts about Mexico and World War 2.
WHA??? Mexico in World War 2? The BIG ONE?
Well, actually that was my reaction. Complete surprise.
I mean, when you think of the major combatants of that global conflict, you think of the U.S., England, Italy, Canada, Germany, Japan, Russia. All the main players, right?
And, of course, pretty much the rest of the world from the Philippines to Finland and Algiers to Australia.
Mexico doesn’t exactly come to mind.
And, you probably wouldn’t believe that Mexico was an ally to the United States. That’s not a partnership that generally pops to the forefront of historical discussion.
But, yes, Mexico absolutely stuck one in the eye of the Axis powers.
Even before the U.S. was thrust into the war with the bombing of Pearl Harbor in December of 1941, countries had a strong foreboding of impending conflict.
Fortuitously, Mexico and the U.S. settled the usual border tensions with reciprocal trade agreements whereby Mexico continued to supply raw materials to the United States. Conversely, the U.S. helped stabilize the peso and Mexican economy by-way-of-long term loans as well as military aid for the Mexican military.
When Pearl Harbor was attacked in December 1942, Mexico terminated all relations with the Axis powers. It was one of the first countries to show support for the U.S. It also closed all of it’s ports to Germany thereby securing the Gulf of Mexico for the U.S.
The Mexican people were initially very reluctant and adamant about joining in the armed conflict.
However, that changed several months later in May of 1942. German U-boats torpedoed two Mexican tankers in the Gulf of Mexico.
Hitler was unrepentant about the attacks.
And Mexico took the gloves off.
Mexico declared war on the Axis. It also urged other Latin American countries to follow suit.
Mexico instituted nation military service as well as civil defense. However, it’s main contribution to the war was the continued steady supply of raw materials to the U.S. war effort.
As much as 40% of the raw material for the American war machine came from Mexico.
Moreso, although most other Latin American countries sided with the allies, only Mexico and Brazil sent armed combatants to the front.
At the invitation of the U.S. Mexico put together a special combat team of airmen. The Mexican President Manuel Comacho gathered up more than 300 volunteers including more than 30 hand-picked experienced pilots and the rest veteran groundcrew.
After receiving extensive combat training in Texas and Idaho, the “Aztec Eagles” were dubbed the “201st Fighter Squadron” and attached to the American 58th Fighter Group.
Flying P-47 Thunderbolt Fighter Aircraft, the “Pancho Pistolas” were deployed to the Philippines and flogged more than 1900 hours of flight time and 795 combat sorties. Their bombing runs and attacks were instrumental in helping push the Japanese off the islands of Formosa and Luzon in some of the toughest fighting in the Pacific.
Eight of the pilots were killed. One was shot down. One crashed. Three others ran out’ve fuel over the ocean and lost at sea. Three others died in training.
Their ground crews were also involved in ground combat on several occasions.
According to Wikipedia, “The 201st Mexican Squadron was given credit for putting out of action about 30,000 Japanese troops [4] and the destruction of enemy held-buildings, vehicles, tanks, anti-aircraft guns, machine guns emplacements and ammunition depots.”
After the war, they returned to Mexico to a hero’s welcome. A number of the pilots ended up becoming generals in the Mexican Air Force in later years.
The Aztec Eagle’s squadron remains active today. It is the only military unit from Mexico to engage in combat outside it’s borders.
In addition to the pilots, Mexico contributed in other ways.
Although it was adamant about sending ground trips, Mexico did allow the United States to recruit Mexicans to the American Army. Between 1942 and and 1943 almost 7,000 Mexicans volunteered to fight for the the U.S. In fact, the embassy was so overrun they had to close.
Nevertheless, somewhere estimates of 15,000 to 400,000 Mexican-born troops enlisted. Statistics are not clear. However, almost 2,000 would become casualties.
Many were decorated and four who were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor during combat in the European and Pacific Theaters of war.
Viva Mexico, Cabrones!
That’s my story!
Jonathan
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Jonathan Roldan has been writing the Baja Column in Western Outdoor News since 2004. Along with his wife and fishing buddy, Jilly, they own and run the Tailhunter International Fishing Fleet in La Paz, Baja, Mexico http://www.tailhunter.com.
They also run their Tailhunter Restaurant Bar on the famous La Paz malecon waterfront. If you’d like to contact him directly, his e-mail is: jonathan@tailhunter.com
Or drop by the restaurant to say hi. It’s right on the La Paz waterfront!
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That's My Story 