WesWorld

The stay of the First Scouting Group in the Brazilian port of Recife had proven to be a successful one on several levels. The squadron had been received with open arms by both the Brazilian authorities and the populace of the city, as a token of the growing friendship between the two nations

Brazil was now one of Germany’s principal trading partners, exchanging its agricultural products for machinery and equipment to further its national development. Further south German engineers laboured with their Brazilian counterparts to construct Brazil’s first true integrated steel mill, and ships of both nations carried iron ore received in payment back to Germany. With German assistance Brazil was constructing one of its first automobile plants; likewise German support was assisting the newly-founded Neiva firm to construct aircraft to meet the needs of Brazil’s air arm. While few of these changes had penetrated into Brazil’s northwest, the people were aware of the strides that their nation was making, and were appreciative of the support provided to them by their German visitors.

For their part the officers and men of the First Scouting Group found their time in Recife an extension of the vacation they had found themselves embarked upon. While the calendar indicated that winter was upon them the lazy tropical sun and warm breezes belied the truth. The crews were feted by the German business community in the city; sports competitions were arranged between the German crews themselves and between the German crews and members of the Brazilian navy – the latter trouncing the Germans in a hard fought football match with a score of three-nil.

Professionally, von der Marwitz kept his crews busy in exercises with local elements of the Brazilian navy – whose ships cut a sorry figure beside the Leipzig and her consorts. It was understandable that the Brazilian navy had its principal elements stationed in the south, where the ever-present threat of Afrikaaner forces in Gran Uruguay demanded constant vigilance. Nevertheless, there was a constant stream of Brazilian officers who sought to come aboard the German warships to tour and inspect them. This von der Marwitz was happy to accommodate, pointing out the great guns and torpedo batteries with which his ships were fitted. The younger officers of his staff – who had acquired some command of Portuguese – reported that many of the visitors’ private comments revolved around their desire for comparable ships, to reverse the stain left by the last war.

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Wednesday, 23 July 1941

“Herr Kommodore,” Honecker announced. “A message from Fleet Command,” he added, proffering a message flimsy.

Von der Marwitz took it and quickly read its contents, and smiled.

“Make to all ships; the squadron will sail at dawn tomorrow,” he ordered. “Advise the captain of the port of our intentions and advise him that I shall make my formal departure call upon him tomorrow.”

“Yes Herr Kommodore,” replied Honecker, somewhat mystified.

As von der Marwitz returned to his cabin to dress for his port call, Honecker again read the message from Fleet Command, and scratched his head.

“KNIGHT TO FR5628. EXECUTE.”

Quoted

The younger officers of his staff – who had acquired some command of Portuguese – reported that many of the visitors’ private comments revolved around their desire for comparable ships, to reverse the stain left by the last war.

for the future efforts of German shipyards to sell their wares to Brazil.

Quoted

Originally posted by AdmKuznetsov

Quoted

The younger officers of his staff – who had acquired some command of Portuguese – reported that many of the visitors’ private comments revolved around their desire for comparable ships, to reverse the stain left by the last war.

for the future efforts of German shipyards to sell their wares to Brazil.

Only time will tell on such matters. Several proposals have been made but none taken up to date.