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1st Brazilian Infantry Division (World War II)

1a Divisão de Infantaria

Last modified: 2003-03-01 by joe mcmillan
Keywords: army | lozenge | military | expeditionary force | division | major general | southern cross | cruzeiro | brigadier general | chaplain |
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About the 1st Infantry Division

The 1st Brazilian Infantry Division, which was the core of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force that fought alongside US and other allied troops in northern Italy during World War II, used command flags that differed from the other divisions of the Brazilian Army, in that the stars of the Southern Cross (Cruzeiro do Sul) were added to the division number and branch symbols in the hoist. Those who know U.S. military heraldry may recognize a distinct similarity between the divisional emblem, the numeral "1" surrounded by the stars of the Southern Cross, and the remarkably similar emblem adopted at about the same time by the U.S. First Marine Division. I have no reason to suppose this is anything but a coincidence, since the Marine Division fought in the South Pacific, not in Europe.
Source: Print entitled Exército Expedicionário--Insígnias de Comando, published by the Brazili