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Subject: [AZORES-L] Little Bit More Info on WWII Azorean Uniforms
Date: Sat, 4 Aug 2001 01:01:06 EDT

I went down to the local VFW with the 2 military photos. I was told to go
ask "Woody" (guy looked like Santa Claus). He immediately said that the
uniforms were Russian, that the hats worn on an angle on the head also
indicates Russian. Both photos were taken before they went into combat, as
neither is wearing medals or anything of the sort. Jorge de Mello is older
than Altino Melo (well, I could have told him that). Jorge de Mello is
wearing the "winter" uniform and Altino Melo is wearing the "summer" uniform.
On Jorge's hat, it has an 18 and the 2 rifles crossed (signifying infantry).
Altino has something on his hat, but you can't tell what it is in the photo.
But both men are in the same army (which I would think would be the
Portuguese Army).

Now I need a brush up on my WWII history. I think Salazar was in charge of
the Azores during WWII. I don't think he was part of the PCP or the
Socialist government either (didn't he ban them or something?) I just don't
remember Russia having anything to do with Portugal during WWII (seems like
we just studied Hitler, Germans, concentration camps, and a bit of Africa).
Does anyone know of any historical ties between Russia and Portugal during
WWII (for all I know "Woody" had a few too many beers and was seeing Russian
uniforms. Heck, maybe he was drinking White Russians or Black Russians or
whatever).

I did a search for WWII Military Uniforms Portugal, but it seems like they
are all in books. I didn't run across any pictures.

The photo of Jorge de Mello was identified by his sisters in 1996. He "died
young." Altino Melo had signed his name on the back of his photo. I think I
have a good guess as to who Altino's parents are. If I'm right, he would
have been born early 1920's. (He looks 18 in the picture. Jorge looks like
he is in his 20's).

Any ideas on the Portugal/Russia or a brief history of Portugal's role in
WWII would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Cheri Mello

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