Learn about the history of the Marines, a strategic expeditionary force that projects naval power on land
“… Who are these vibrant warriors? Who are these brave men? From the Navy, loyal marines, fighters with arms in hand…”. These phrases are part of the song “Soldados da Liberdade” and represent the courage, dedication, professionalism and determination of the amphibious combatants of the Brazilian Navy (MB). The Marines (FN) are the MB’s strategic, expeditionary force, permanently ready to be deployed on various missions and to project Naval Power on land. But what does that mean?
The person in charge of the Marine Corps Museum (CFN), Marine Corvette Captain (FN) Esley Rodrigues de Jesus Teixeira, is the guest of Agência Marinha de Notícias (AgMN) to explain the history, some curiosities, preparation and employment of these military personnel, capable of operating on land, at sea and in hard-to-reach places, and are essential for the defense of naval and port installations, archipelagos and oceanic islands in Brazilian jurisdictional waters and for controlling the banks of inland waterways.
AgMN – How did the Brazilian Marines come about? When did the need for this special capability arise and why?
Corvette Captain (FN) Esley Rodrigues – The Marines (FN) emerged with the Third Fleet of the Portuguese Crown during the Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648), when Philip III, King of Spain and Portugal, saw the need to rescue the Portuguese domains in the New Indies, of which Brazil was a part, and which were dominated by the Dutch in 1624.
With the Napoleonic invasion of Portugal, the Royal Family embarked for Brazil, escorted by the FN, and arrived here in 1808. They were the only professional ground troops in Brazil until the creation of the Imperial Army by Dom Pedro I in the wars of Independence, and played an important role in the conquest of the French Capital in the Americas in 1809, today known as French Guiana. This baptism of fire became known as the Taking of Cayenne.
This amphibious and expeditionary characteristic was therefore essential for Portugal to have greater bargaining power at the Congress of Vienna in 1815. Since then, it has become a primary condition for Brazil to possess these operational capabilities.
AgMN – Brazil was discovered by the Portuguese and was influenced by them. What are the differences between the Portuguese Marines of that time and the Brazilians?
Corvette Captain (FN) Esley Rodrigues – The Brazilian Marines were actually Portuguese soldiers from the Royal Marine Brigade, created in 1797 by Queen Maria I, who remained in Brazil even after Dom João VI returned to Portugal to contain the Constitutionalist Revolt in Porto.
Since then, they haven’t left. In fact, the same place where they were stationed in 1809, the Fortress of São José da Ilha das Cobras in Rio de Janeiro, is still the headquarters of their General Command.
AgMN – The FN are well known for facing extreme situations, which require a lot of physical and psychological preparation. What was the training like?
Corvette Captain (FN) Esley Rodrigues – Physical training has always been present in the history of the CFN, being adapted according to the technology and knowledge of the time and the characteristics of a particular war. In the past, exercises were linked to increasing the number of steps per minute, in order to give greater speed of progression and impetus to the attack, as well as silent united order, precision shooting and marches.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the training applied to the FN served as an inspiration for the São Paulo Military Police, who implemented it in their daily routine. International fame for the physical preparation of Brazilian marines came in the 1920s, when the German military attaché reported back to his country on the techniques used here by our Marines.
AgMN – The FN took part in important battles for Brazil. Which ones are worth highlighting?
Corvette Captain (FN) Esley Rodrigues – The Battles of Passo da Pátria, Riachuelo and Humaitá were memorable. I believe, however, that the most important was the baptism of fire in Cayenne, French Guiana. The political implications of this battle were immense: Portugal was once again seen on an equal footing with the European powers, gaining greater strength at the Congress of Vienna; it was the first combined operation in our history, with the participation of British ships, mercenaries from the Brazilian land force and the Royal Navy Brigade; and it helped to reinforce the idea that Brazil deserved greater relevance within the Portuguese Overseas Empire, which it did in 1815, when it received the title of United Kingdom of Portugal and the Algarves.
These changes – on the regional stage, as the only administratively independent country in the region, and on the global stage, particularly in Europe – were important for Brazil’s Independence Movement (1821-1822).
AgMN – Do you have any curiosities that few people know about amphibious combatants? Tell the Agency’s readers.
Corvette Captain (FN) Esley Rodrigues – There are many curiosities, but let’s limit ourselves to four civilian characters who have marked our history:
Paula Baiana was a slave who, after being freed, started selling delicacies at the entrance to the old Navy Arsenal. She became part of our daily life at the beginning of the 20th century. She marched in the September 7th parade. When she died, she received honors and the rank of sergeant;
Violeta Telles Ribeiro, wife of Admiral Telles Ribeiro, created the motto “Adsumus”, which is a term of Latin origin meaning “here we are!”, “to be present”, “to be together” and, by extension, means a feeling of permanent readiness;
The immortal poet Rachel de Queiroz is considered the godmother of the Marines, as she made a point of extolling the attitude of these soldiers in her works; and
Emilinha Borba, singer and considered the queen of radio in the 20th century, won the title of “Favorite of the Navy”, for dedicating songs to the Naval Force, such as “Here Comes the Navy” and “White Swan”.
AgMN – What are the main milestones in the tactical evolution of the Brazilian Marines from their origins to the present day?
Corvette Captain (FN) Esley Rodrigues – The tactical evolution has been gradual, with well-defined points aligned with the tasks they perform, until it became strategic in the 2000s.
In 1797, the Marines were categorically responsible for guarding naval weapons and securing installations of interest to the Navy. During the wars of Independence, approaches and landings became a constant, as we can see in the Cisplatina campaigns with the landing at Maldonado and, in 1864, the taking of Paysandu.
In the War of the Triple Alliance (1864 to 1870), the FN landed with the ships’ swivels to support the establishment of transit corridors and river interdiction. In the 1910s, then-Lieutenant Protógenes, a great enthusiast of Amphibious Operations, promoted activities in this field.
In the period from 1940 to 1950, the FN began to show great evolution in doctrine and teaching, a legacy of Admiral Sylvio de Camargo, the CFN’s patron. In 1960, under the general command of Admiral Heitor Lopes de Souza, Operations Dragon began to be carried out regularly, involving Fleet assets and planning with Naval Aviation.
From the 2000s onwards, with the acquisition of new, larger and more autonomous naval assets, it was essential to stimulate a culture of doctrinal review through symposia. There were also changes in the global operating environment, such as the end of the Cold War, the growth of peace operations, maritime instability and the publication of the National Defense Policy and Strategy, which helped strengthen the role of amphibious operations and expeditionary capabilities.
Marines Day
On March 7, 1808, the Royal Marine Brigade arrived in Brazil along with the Portuguese Royal Family, which was moving the seat of the kingdom to Brazil. This unit was the embryo of the current Brazilian Marine Corps (CFN) and March 7 became the anniversary date of the Brazilian amphibious troops. As of this year, which marks the 216th anniversary of the CFN, the date is now known as Marine Corps Day.
Find out more about the Marine Corps Museum
Located in the São José Fortress, on Ilha das Cobras, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), the Marine Corps Museum is situated on the premises that, since the end of the campaign against the French in Cayenne (French Guiana – 1809), were occupied by the components of the Royal Marine Brigade, the origin of the current CFN. The Museum’s circuit consists of two underground tunnels which, historically, were built to serve as a safe connection for the Portuguese and where documents, medals, silverware, archaeological material, photographs, equipment and weapons are on display.
In the main hall, you can see works of art, sculptures, medals, silverware, a model of the island in 1736 and miniatures. There is also a gallery of uniforms, with various models used throughout history, as well as a room with 40 panels and LCD monitors depicting the participation of the FN in events linked to the formation of nationality and the Brazilian state. Outside the museum, visitors can see operational vehicles, cannons, machine guns and combat motorcycles.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Friday, from 9am to 12pm and 1.30pm to 4pm. Visits can be booked by calling (21) 2126-5053. Admission is free. Access is via the area of the 1st Naval District, located at Praça Mauá, nº 65, in Centro (RJ).
Source: Agência Marinha de Notícias *** Translated by DEFCONPress FYI Team ***