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© Getty Images
0 / 31 Fotos
South Africa
- As a British Dominion, South Africa declared war on Germany in 1939. South African troops played a key role in North Africa, particularly in the battles of El Alamein.
© Getty Images
1 / 31 Fotos
South Africa
- The South African Air Force supported Allied operations in Italy and Madagascar, while the navy helped secure vital sea routes. Over 300,000 South Africans served in the war effort.
© Getty Images
2 / 31 Fotos
Brazil
- The only South American country to send combat troops, Brazil contributed 25,000 soldiers as part of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force (FEB). They fought in Italy, playing a decisive role in battles like Monte Castello.
© Getty Images
3 / 31 Fotos
Brazil
- Brazil also patrolled the Atlantic, attacking German U-boats. Its entry into the war marked a shift in Latin America’s stance towards the Axis powers.
© Public Domain
4 / 31 Fotos
Ethiopia
- Ethiopia played a significant role in the Allied war effort after being occupied by Italy in 1936. Emperor Haile Selassie led a resistance movement and, with British support, launched a counteroffensive in 1941, successfully liberating the country.
© Getty Images
5 / 31 Fotos
Ethiopia
- Ethiopian forces then contributed to the East African campaign, helping to defeat Italian troops and secure the region for the Allies.
© Getty Images
6 / 31 Fotos
Mexico
- Mexico's Escuadrón 201, also known as the 'Aztec Eagles,' was a fighter squadron that participated in combat missions in the Philippines. Mexico also provided vital resources like oil and raw materials to the Allies.
© Public Domain
7 / 31 Fotos
Mexico
- The country's involvement marked one of the few instances where Latin American forces directly engaged in combat during the war.
© Getty Images
8 / 31 Fotos
Australia
- Australia was heavily involved in WWII from the start, fighting in Europe, North Africa, and the Pacific. Australian forces played a crucial role in the Battle of Tobruk, the Kokoda Track campaign against Japan, and the liberation of Southeast Asian territories.
© Getty Images
9 / 31 Fotos
Australia
- Almost a million Australians served, contributing both in combat and through vital industrial and agricultural support.
© Getty Images
10 / 31 Fotos
Philippines
- A US Commonwealth at the time, the Philippines was a key battleground in the Pacific War. Filipino and American forces fought the Japanese in 1941-1942, leading to the Bataan Death March.
© Getty Images
11 / 31 Fotos
Philippines
- Even after occupation, Filipino guerrilla fighters waged a relentless resistance campaign until US forces liberated the islands in 1945, leaving a major impact on Japan's Pacific strategy.
© Getty Images
12 / 31 Fotos
India
- Then under British rule, India sent over 2.5 million soldiers to fight across multiple fronts, playing a key role in the Middle East, North Africa, and Burma against Axis forces.
© Getty Images
13 / 31 Fotos
India
- Indian forces also fought in Italy. Many received the Victoria Cross for their bravery during the war.
© Getty Images
14 / 31 Fotos
New Zealand
- New Zealanders fought in North Africa, Italy, and the Pacific, with the Second New Zealand Division playing a crucial role in key battles like El Alamein and Monte Cassino.
© Getty Images
15 / 31 Fotos
New Zealand
- In the Pacific, New Zealand forces defended islands against Japanese advances. Despite its small population, over 200,000 New Zealanders served in WWII.
© Getty Images
16 / 31 Fotos
Norway
- After Germany invaded Norway in 1940, the Norwegian government-in-exile continued the fight. Norwegian soldiers joined Allied forces, while resistance groups sabotaged Nazi operations.
© Getty Images
17 / 31 Fotos
Norway
- Norwegian sabotage missions helped prevent Germany's nuclear development, while Norwegian ships and sailors supported Allied naval operations with vital logistics.
© Getty Images
18 / 31 Fotos
Korea
- Though under Japanese rule, many Koreans fought against the Axis powers. Some joined the Chinese Nationalist Army to resist Japan, while others served in Soviet forces and participated in the liberation of Manchuria.
© Getty Images
19 / 31 Fotos
Korea
- Korean independence fighters also engaged in resistance efforts, seeking to weaken Japanese control over Korea and contribute to the broader Allied war effort.
© Public Domain
20 / 31 Fotos
Finland
- Finland initially fought against the Soviet Union in the Winter War (1939-1940) and later sided with Germany in the Continuation War (1941-1944).
© Getty Images
21 / 31 Fotos
Finland
- However, in 1944, Finland switched sides, signing a peace agreement with the Soviets and engaging in combat against German forces in the Lapland War, ultimately aligning itself with the Allies toward the war's end.
© Getty Images
22 / 31 Fotos
Algeria
- Then a French colony, Algeria became a key battleground after Operation Torch in 1942, which saw Allied forces land in North Africa.
© Getty Images
23 / 31 Fotos
Algeria
- Thousands of Algerians joined Free French forces, fighting in North Africa, Italy, and France, helping to shift control to the Allies and weaken Axis influence.
© Getty Images
24 / 31 Fotos
Denmark
- Though quickly occupied by Germany in 1940, Denmark contributed to the Allied cause in several ways. Many Danes joined Free Norwegian and British units, while resistance groups sabotaged Nazi operations.
© Getty Images
25 / 31 Fotos
Denmark
- Danish intelligence played a role in Allied planning. Danish sailors continued to serve with the Allies, helping maintain critical supply lines throughout the war.
© Getty Images
26 / 31 Fotos
Congo (Belgian Congo)
- As a Belgian colony, the Congo played a significant role by providing troops and vital resources. Congolese soldiers fought in British and Belgian campaigns in North Africa and Burma.
© Public Domain
27 / 31 Fotos
Congo (Belgian Congo)
- The region also supplied essential raw materials, including uranium, which was used in the Manhattan Project, contributing to the development of the atomic bombs that ended the war.
© Public Domain
28 / 31 Fotos
Greece
- Greece played a crucial role in World War II, initially resisting the Italian invasion in 1940 and achieving the first Allied land victory against the Axis.
© Getty Images
29 / 31 Fotos
Greece
- Despite German occupation, Greek resistance fighters disrupted Axis operations, while the navy and exiled forces aided the Allies in North Africa and Italy. Sources: (Britannica) (History) (The New York Times) (World Population Review)
© Public Domain
30 / 31 Fotos
© Getty Images
0 / 31 Fotos
South Africa
- As a British Dominion, South Africa declared war on Germany in 1939. South African troops played a key role in North Africa, particularly in the battles of El Alamein.
© Getty Images
1 / 31 Fotos
South Africa
- The South African Air Force supported Allied operations in Italy and Madagascar, while the navy helped secure vital sea routes. Over 300,000 South Africans served in the war effort.
© Getty Images
2 / 31 Fotos
Brazil
- The only South American country to send combat troops, Brazil contributed 25,000 soldiers as part of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force (FEB). They fought in Italy, playing a decisive role in battles like Monte Castello.
© Getty Images
3 / 31 Fotos
Brazil
- Brazil also patrolled the Atlantic, attacking German U-boats. Its entry into the war marked a shift in Latin America’s stance towards the Axis powers.
© Public Domain
4 / 31 Fotos
Ethiopia
- Ethiopia played a significant role in the Allied war effort after being occupied by Italy in 1936. Emperor Haile Selassie led a resistance movement and, with British support, launched a counteroffensive in 1941, successfully liberating the country.
© Getty Images
5 / 31 Fotos
Ethiopia
- Ethiopian forces then contributed to the East African campaign, helping to defeat Italian troops and secure the region for the Allies.
© Getty Images
6 / 31 Fotos
Mexico
- Mexico's Escuadrón 201, also known as the 'Aztec Eagles,' was a fighter squadron that participated in combat missions in the Philippines. Mexico also provided vital resources like oil and raw materials to the Allies.
© Public Domain
7 / 31 Fotos
Mexico
- The country's involvement marked one of the few instances where Latin American forces directly engaged in combat during the war.
© Getty Images
8 / 31 Fotos
Australia
- Australia was heavily involved in WWII from the start, fighting in Europe, North Africa, and the Pacific. Australian forces played a crucial role in the Battle of Tobruk, the Kokoda Track campaign against Japan, and the liberation of Southeast Asian territories.
© Getty Images
9 / 31 Fotos
Australia
- Almost a million Australians served, contributing both in combat and through vital industrial and agricultural support.
© Getty Images
10 / 31 Fotos
Philippines
- A US Commonwealth at the time, the Philippines was a key battleground in the Pacific War. Filipino and American forces fought the Japanese in 1941-1942, leading to the Bataan Death March.
© Getty Images
11 / 31 Fotos
Philippines
- Even after occupation, Filipino guerrilla fighters waged a relentless resistance campaign until US forces liberated the islands in 1945, leaving a major impact on Japan's Pacific strategy.
© Getty Images
12 / 31 Fotos
India
- Then under British rule, India sent over 2.5 million soldiers to fight across multiple fronts, playing a key role in the Middle East, North Africa, and Burma against Axis forces.
© Getty Images
13 / 31 Fotos
India
- Indian forces also fought in Italy. Many received the Victoria Cross for their bravery during the war.
© Getty Images
14 / 31 Fotos
New Zealand
- New Zealanders fought in North Africa, Italy, and the Pacific, with the Second New Zealand Division playing a crucial role in key battles like El Alamein and Monte Cassino.
© Getty Images
15 / 31 Fotos
New Zealand
- In the Pacific, New Zealand forces defended islands against Japanese advances. Despite its small population, over 200,000 New Zealanders served in WWII.
© Getty Images
16 / 31 Fotos
Norway
- After Germany invaded Norway in 1940, the Norwegian government-in-exile continued the fight. Norwegian soldiers joined Allied forces, while resistance groups sabotaged Nazi operations.
© Getty Images
17 / 31 Fotos
Norway
- Norwegian sabotage missions helped prevent Germany's nuclear development, while Norwegian ships and sailors supported Allied naval operations with vital logistics.
© Getty Images
18 / 31 Fotos
Korea
- Though under Japanese rule, many Koreans fought against the Axis powers. Some joined the Chinese Nationalist Army to resist Japan, while others served in Soviet forces and participated in the liberation of Manchuria.
© Getty Images
19 / 31 Fotos
Korea
- Korean independence fighters also engaged in resistance efforts, seeking to weaken Japanese control over Korea and contribute to the broader Allied war effort.
© Public Domain
20 / 31 Fotos
Finland
- Finland initially fought against the Soviet Union in the Winter War (1939-1940) and later sided with Germany in the Continuation War (1941-1944).
© Getty Images
21 / 31 Fotos
Finland
- However, in 1944, Finland switched sides, signing a peace agreement with the Soviets and engaging in combat against German forces in the Lapland War, ultimately aligning itself with the Allies toward the war's end.
© Getty Images
22 / 31 Fotos
Algeria
- Then a French colony, Algeria became a key battleground after Operation Torch in 1942, which saw Allied forces land in North Africa.
© Getty Images
23 / 31 Fotos
Algeria
- Thousands of Algerians joined Free French forces, fighting in North Africa, Italy, and France, helping to shift control to the Allies and weaken Axis influence.
© Getty Images
24 / 31 Fotos
Denmark
- Though quickly occupied by Germany in 1940, Denmark contributed to the Allied cause in several ways. Many Danes joined Free Norwegian and British units, while resistance groups sabotaged Nazi operations.
© Getty Images
25 / 31 Fotos
Denmark
- Danish intelligence played a role in Allied planning. Danish sailors continued to serve with the Allies, helping maintain critical supply lines throughout the war.
© Getty Images
26 / 31 Fotos
Congo (Belgian Congo)
- As a Belgian colony, the Congo played a significant role by providing troops and vital resources. Congolese soldiers fought in British and Belgian campaigns in North Africa and Burma.
© Public Domain
27 / 31 Fotos
Congo (Belgian Congo)
- The region also supplied essential raw materials, including uranium, which was used in the Manhattan Project, contributing to the development of the atomic bombs that ended the war.
© Public Domain
28 / 31 Fotos
Greece
- Greece played a crucial role in World War II, initially resisting the Italian invasion in 1940 and achieving the first Allied land victory against the Axis.
© Getty Images
29 / 31 Fotos
Greece
- Despite German occupation, Greek resistance fighters disrupted Axis operations, while the navy and exiled forces aided the Allies in North Africa and Italy. Sources: (Britannica) (History) (The New York Times) (World Population Review)
© Public Domain
30 / 31 Fotos
Lesser-known countries that fought for the Allies in World War II
These nations helped defeat the Axis
© Getty Images
When thinking about World War II, major Allied powers like the US, the Soviet Union, and the UK often come to mind. However, many lesser-known nations also played crucial roles in securing victory. From Brazil's soldiers in Italy to India's massive army fighting across multiple fronts, these countries made significant yet often overlooked contributions. This gallery highlights some of the unexpected nations that fought for the Allies, proving that the war effort was truly a global struggle for freedom.
Click on to learn more.
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