World War II at Sea

considerations on the Submarine Attacks between Bahia and Sergipe in August 1942

Abstract

The article analyzes the consequences of submarine attacks carried out by the Nazi submarine U-507. Between the 16th and 17th of August 1942, five merchant ships were sunk by the Nazi submarine, causing hundreds of deaths and demonstrations by Brazilians in various cities across the country. The main outcome of the attacks was Brazil's declaration of war on Italy and Germany. Having been a space that experienced the direct consequences of the maritime tragedy, Aracaju, the capital of Sergipe, was the scene of police raids, mismatched news, looting of lifeless bodies, arrests, persecution of Brazilians and foreigners. In this article, we reflect on the motivations for the development of actions in Sergipe and the resulting consequences. National and international periodicals, memorialists and audiovisual productions are used as privileged sources