Nearly 80 years after its sinking, the Brazilian Navy has identified the wreckage of the Vital de Oliveira. The ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1944, sinking off the coast of Brazil. Around 100 crew members lost their lives in the attack
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A Ship with a Tragic History
On July 19, 1944, the Vital de Oliveira, a Brazilian Navy transport vessel, was attacked by the German submarine U-861. The ship, which was responsible for moving Allied troops and supplies along the Brazilian coast, was struck by a torpedo just before midnight. The vessel sank quickly, killing approximately 100 of the 270 crew members on board. The Vital de Oliveira remains the only Brazilian naval ship lost to enemy fire during World War II.
Solving a Decades-Old Mystery
Although divers first discovered the wreck in 2011, its identity was only recently confirmed. In January 2024, a research team used advanced sonar imaging to analyze the site. The scans revealed distinctive features of the vessel, originally built in 1910 and initially named ItaĂşba. The expedition took place aboard a research vessel that, coincidentally, also bears the name Vital de Oliveira, in honor of a 19th-century Brazilian naval officer.
A Historic Discovery
The Brazilian Navy emphasized that shipwrecks offer valuable insights into the country’s maritime history, helping to document trade routes, technological progress, and military conflicts. The discovery of the Vital de Oliveira provides a more profound understanding of Brazil’s involvement in World War II. Alongside this vessel, 34 Brazilian merchant ships were also sunk by German submarines during the war. Additionally, two other Brazilian Navy ships were lost due to accidents rather than enemy attacks.
Brazil’s Role in World War II
Brazil was the only South American nation to send troops to Europe during World War II. More than 25,000 soldiers from the Brazilian Expeditionary Force, also known as the “Smoking Snakes,” fought alongside the Allies in Italy. Their efforts were pivotal in the Battle of Monte Castello in 1944. The discovery of the Vital de Oliveira sheds new light on Brazil’s significant, yet often overlooked, contributions to the war and the sacrifices made by its armed forces.
The identification of the Vital de Oliveira is an important step in preserving Brazil’s naval history.
What other wartime artifacts might still be hidden beneath the ocean? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Based on content from www.smithsonianmag.com and additional research.