Portugal's WWII Vigil
Navigating Neutrality and Alliance: An academic exploration of Portugal's complex role during World War II.
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Strategic Neutrality
The Estado Novo Regime
At the commencement of World War II in 1939, Portugal was governed by António de Oliveira Salazar's Estado Novo regime, an authoritarian, corporatist state established in 1933. Salazar's foreign policy was characterized by a strategic commitment to neutrality, influenced by concerns over the security of Portugal's extensive colonial territories and a cautious approach towards both the Axis and potential Spanish alignment with Germany.
The Anglo-Portuguese Alliance
Despite the ancient Anglo-Portuguese Alliance, Portugal maintained its neutrality. The British government acknowledged this understanding, confirming that Portuguese assistance was not sought. This diplomatic stance allowed Portugal to navigate the conflict without direct involvement, preserving its territorial integrity and colonial holdings.
A Global Position
Portugal's neutrality positioned it as a crucial, albeit complex, player in the wartime geopolitical landscape. It served as a vital escape route for individuals fleeing Nazi-occupied Europe, and its strategically located Azores islands became a point of interest for both Allied and Axis powers.
The Azores: A Strategic Nexus
Geopolitical Significance
The Azores archipelago, due to its mid-Atlantic location, held immense strategic value. Both the Allied and Axis powers recognized the potential for air bases on these islands, leading to significant diplomatic pressure on Salazar's government. While Germany considered invasion plans, Portugal resisted direct provocation.
Allied Access and the Battle of the Atlantic
In a pivotal shift, Portugal granted the British access to Lajes Field in the Azores in 1943. This agreement was instrumental in extending Allied aerial coverage across the Mid-Atlantic gap, significantly aiding in the hunt for U-boats and the protection of vital convoys during the Battle of the Atlantic.
Luso-American Cooperation
Following the British agreement, the United States also established a presence at Lajes Field. Joint agreements outlined the roles for the USAAF and US Navy, facilitating aircraft ferrying and transport to Europe. Lajes Field became a crucial logistical hub, supporting Allied operations throughout the war and continuing its role in Cold War defense.
Wolfram Trade: A Delicate Balance
Strategic Commodity
Portugal's trade in wolfram (tungsten) became a critical point of contention. Essential for hardening munitions, wolfram was highly sought after by Germany, particularly after the invasion of the Soviet Union. Portugal implemented an export quota system in 1942 to maintain its neutrality by supplying both belligerents.
Allied Pressure and Portuguese Resistance
In January 1944, the Allies exerted pressure on Portugal to embargo all wolfram sales to Germany. Portugal resisted, citing its neutral rights and fearing German reprisal. The Portuguese government eventually imposed a complete embargo in June 1944, impacting thousands of laborers, following threats of economic sanctions.
Maritime Incidents
Despite its neutrality, Portuguese shipping was not immune to the dangers of the war. German U-boats torpedoed and sank several Portuguese vessels, including the Ganda, Corte Real, and Cassequel, highlighting the precarious position of neutral nations operating in wartime waters.
Securing Iberian Neutrality
The Iberian Pact
The Iberian Pact, signed between Portugal and Spain in March 1939, established a non-aggression treaty that significantly influenced Iberian relations. This pact, reinforced by subsequent meetings between Salazar and Franco, proved crucial in maintaining the peninsula's neutrality and preventing its full alignment with the Axis powers.
Allied Appreciation
British diplomats recognized that Portugal's strict neutrality was a calculated price for securing strategic benefits and preventing Spain from fully joining the Axis. Had Spain aligned with Germany, the war's trajectory, particularly in North Africa, could have been drastically altered.
Salazar's Diplomacy
American Ambassador Carlton Hayes described Salazar as a modest, intelligent gentleman and scholar, who had successfully stabilized Portugal's finances. Hayes lauded Salazar's efforts to maintain a neutral peninsular bloc, which significantly counteracted Axis propaganda and influence.
A Haven for the Displaced
Lisbon as a Sanctuary
Portugal, particularly Lisbon, became a critical sanctuary for refugees fleeing Nazi persecution and the war in Europe. Estimates suggest that between 100,000 and 1,000,000 individuals passed through Portugal, a remarkable feat for a nation of its size at the time.
Royal Exiles and Diplomatic Aid
Salazar's government facilitated the passage of royal families, including the Infanta Marie Anne of Portugal and Otto von Habsburg, by issuing Portuguese passports. This diplomatic maneuver allowed them to escape Nazi regimes without compromising Portugal's neutrality.
Assisting Jewish Refugees
The Portuguese consulate in Paris, under Aristides de Sousa Mendes, was authorized to transfer its operations to Lisbon, aiding thousands of refugees. Moisés Bensabat Amzalak, a leader in the Lisbon Jewish community, played a key role in securing Salazar's approval for this transfer, underscoring Portugal's role in aiding Jewish emigration.
Gibraltarian Evacuees
In July 1940, following the evacuation of Gibraltar due to anticipated attacks, approximately 2,500 Gibraltarian evacuees, primarily women and children, were hosted in Funchal, Madeira. They remained there until the war's conclusion, fostering a lasting bond of appreciation between the communities.
Portugal and the Holocaust
Neutrality and Victims
Although Portugal remained neutral, records indicate Portuguese citizens and individuals of Portuguese descent were among the victims of the Holocaust, with documented cases in concentration camps such as Mauthausen, Sachsenhausen, and Auschwitz. Many of these victims were Portuguese nationals residing in occupied territories like France.
Sephardic Community
Approximately 4,000 individuals of Portuguese-Jewish descent, residing in the Netherlands, perished as a consequence of the Holocaust. This highlights the far-reaching impact of Nazi persecution, even on communities with historical ties to neutral nations.
Volunteers on the Eastern Front
Portuguese in the Blue Division
Following Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union, an estimated 159 Portuguese volunteers fought for the Axis powers. Primarily composed of veterans from the Spanish Civil War, known as "Viriatos," these individuals were largely motivated by mercenary interests or a staunch opposition to communism.
Waffen-SS Service
Foreign volunteers, including Portuguese nationals, served in various capacities within German military structures, notably the Waffen-SS. While some were conscripted or pressured, others actively joined, reflecting the complex ideological landscape of the era.
Portugal in the Pacific War
Macau's Isolation
Portugal's colony of Macau experienced significant isolation following Japan's conquest of nearby Chinese territories and the fall of Hong Kong in December 1941. This isolation led to severe food shortages and increased mortality from disease throughout the remainder of the war.
Japanese Influence and Attacks
While Japan did not invade Macau, its forces exerted influence, leading to the acceptance of Japanese "advisers" and the withdrawal of Portuguese garrisons. Macau's government was compelled to trade defensive armaments for food and supply aviation fuel to Japan. Allied aircraft also conducted bombing raids on Macau in early 1945.
East Timor Violated
In December 1941, Dutch and Australian troops landed in Portuguese Timor, violating Portuguese sovereignty. Japan subsequently invaded the island in February 1942, leading to intense fighting and the destruction of villages by Allied forces to prevent their use as Japanese bases.
Goa's Intelligence Role
German merchant ships seeking refuge in Portuguese Goa provided intelligence on Allied shipping to German U-boats operating in the Indian Ocean. The British Special Operations Executive launched Operation Creek to neutralize this threat by sinking the German ship Ehrenfels, an operation kept secret until 1978.
Threats to Neutrality
Axis Plans
Germany had contingency plans, such as Operation Felix and Führer Directive No. 18, which included the potential invasion of Portugal and occupation of the Azores and Madeira if British forces gained a foothold on the continent. Operation Isabella also outlined securing bases in Spain and Portugal after the Soviet Union's collapse.
Allied Contingencies
The Allies, recognizing the strategic importance of the Azores, developed plans like Operation Alacrity and War Plan Gray for potential seizure of the islands. However, these plans were never executed, as Portugal eventually agreed to grant base access to the Allies in 1943.
Lisbon: The Capital of Espionage
Neutral Ground
Lisbon became a hub for espionage activities, with agents from both Allied and Axis powers operating within its neutral territory. The Portuguese secret police (PVDE) maintained a stance of neutrality towards foreign espionage, provided it did not interfere with internal Portuguese policies.
Double Agents and Infiltration
Notable figures like Ian Fleming were based in Lisbon. The Spaniard Juan Pujol García (Codename Garbo) passed misinformation to the Germans, recruited by the British. Conversely, American traitor William Colepaugh was recruited by the Germans in Lisbon.
Sabotage Networks
The British Special Operations Executive (SOE) established an underground network in Lisbon, aiming for sabotage in case of invasion. Portuguese authorities, however, grew suspicious of British dealings with anti-Salazar elements, leading to the withdrawal of the SOE chief.
Post-War Landscape
International Relations
Portugal emerged from the war physically intact and economically stronger. Unlike Francoist Spain, Portugal's post-war international standing was bolstered by its wartime aid to the Allies, leading to its inclusion in the Marshall Plan and its role as a founding member of NATO in 1949, despite its authoritarian governance.
Exiled Dignitaries
Portugal continued to be a refuge for exiled royalty and political figures, including Umberto II of Italy and the Spanish royal family, who resided in Cascais and Estoril, respectively. The oil magnate Calouste Gulbenkian also chose Portugal as his final residence.
Humanitarian Efforts
Post-war humanitarian efforts included Caritas Portugal's program to transport 5,500 Austrian children from Vienna to Lisbon for foster care. The Cristo Rei monument in Almada was erected to commemorate Portugal's successful navigation of the war's devastation.
Related Topics
Historical Context
Explore related historical periods and aspects of Portuguese foreign policy:
- Portugal during World War I
- Portuguese Military Equipment in WWII
- Anglo-Portuguese Alliance
- Neutral Powers in WWII
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References
References
- Aģreement With Portuģal HC Deb 12 October 1943 vol 392 cc716-9
- Saint-Exupery escaped from France to Portugal and ended up in Lisbon, waiting for a visa to go to America.
- AHDMNE, Telegramas expedidos, Consulado de Portugal em Bayonne, Lisboa, t de Oliveira Salazar para Faria Machado, 13.06.1940.
- Nicolau Andresen, "The Salazar Regime and European Integration, 1947â1972," European Review of History (2007) 14#2 pp. 195â214
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