During World War II, the Dominican Republic played a supportive role rather than a direct combat role. Here are some key points about their involvement:
Declaration of War
The Dominican Republic declared war on Germany and Japan following the attacks on Pearl Harbor and the Nazi declaration of war on the U.S.
Lend-Lease Program:
While the Dominican Republic did not directly contribute troops, aircraft, or ships, it received limited quantities of military equipment through the U.S. Lend-Lease program.
Base Facilities
The Dominican Republic granted base facilities to the United States, which helped in the broader war effort.
Integration into U.S. Military
About 112 Dominicans were integrated into the U.S. military and fought in the war.
The Dominican Republic’s air force, known as the Compañía de Aviación del Ejército Nacional, was established in 1932 and received some military aircraft through the Lend-Lease program during the war.
However, the country’s contribution was primarily logistical and supportive rather than combative.
Aircraft
Between 1940 and 1945, the Dominican Republic used a limited number of aircraft, primarily due to their small air force and the constraints of World War II.
Some of the aircraft they operated during this period included:
Curtiss CW-19R / A-19R
Fleet Model 10P
Ford AT-4 / AT-5 Trimotor
North American AT-6C / D Texan
Piper AE-1/J-5A Cub
Stearman PT-13 / PT-17 Kaydet
Vultee BT-13A Valiant
The United States supplied the Dominican Republic with a limited number of Lend-Lease aircraft during World War II.
Unfortunately, specific details about the exact types and quantities of aircraft provided to the Dominican Republic under the Lend-Lease program are not well documented.
However, it is known that the Dominican Republic received some training aircraft and transport planes to support their military efforts during the war.
These aircraft were part of the broader Lend-Lease program, which aimed to provide military aid to Allied nations.
These aircraft were part of the Compañía de Aviación del Ejército Nacional, which was the air force branch of the Dominican Army at the time.
Aces
The Dominican Republic did not have any well-known Aces during World War II.
The country’s air force was relatively small and did not see extensive combat compared to the major powers involved in the war.
Most of their aircraft were used for training, transport, and reconnaissance rather than combat missions.
Sources
Borinquen Field Ramey Air Force Museum, Punta Borinquen Resort, 90 Wing Road, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
Latin American Air Wars And Aircraft 1912-1969-Dan Hagedorn.
Central American & Caribbean Air Forces-Dan Hagedorn.
Curtiss Aircraft 1907-1947-P M Bowers.
Curtiss Company Profile 1907–1947-Martyn Chorlton.
Ford Trimotor 1926-1992-W T Larkins.
North American T-6, SNJ, Harvard and Wirraway-Peter C. Smith.
North American Company Profile 1928-1996-Aeroplane Monthly.
Piper Aircraft, The Development and History of Piper Designs-Roger Peperell.
Stearman Aircraft, from the collection of the Western Antique Aeroplane and Automobile Museum-Diedrich Dasenbrock.
Stearman Aircraft, A Detailed History-Edward H. Phillips.
