I read this line in a Wikipedia article recently:
"Before World War II, from 1933 to 1936, the Portuguese Navy underwent a profound reorganization, launching a vast naval program and acquiring a total of 22 new warships, including destroyers, submarines and avisos (frigates). An aircraft carrier started to be built, but was later canceled."
What especially intrigued me was that in OTL Portugal considered, and actually began, building an aircraft carrier. There is little doubt in my mind that this would have turned Portugal into a naval power, if only regional, and could have the potential to profoundly affect World War 2 through possible outcomes like these:
- Spain feels threatened by the Portuguese Navy and builds up its own navy with the help of other nations.
- Spain feels threatened and joins the Axis after the fall of France for protection.
- Spain goes to war w/ Portugal (possibly as part of the Axis, as mentioned above).
- Portugal joins the allies in order to gain access to US/UK-made Dive-Bombers/Fighters/Torpedo Bombers (could also lead to any of the three events above).
- Portugal creates its own aircraft industry to cope with the lack of modern carrier-capable aircraft and thus becomes a more independent and respected European military power for the next few decades or longer.
(I'm not the biggest history buff, so correct me if any of these outcomes seem a little bit unfeasible or impossible. Also, don't be afraid to add any other possible results of a Portuguese CV)
What frustrates me is that I've never been able to find any sources on this Portuguese aircraft carrier, except for one picture. This picture stated that the carrier was named/to be named the
Guanza. The picture only showed the crew on a deck of the carrier (if the ship in the background even was the carrier stated). I'd really like to find some true information, stats, and drawings/pictures of this carrier, but I've never been able to find them. So, that's why I've come to you-if anyone out there happens to know about any sources or info on the
Guanza (or whatever the carrier was called), PLEASE post it. I would be eternally grateful. I'm extremely curious and I will probably need it if I am to write a TL in the future. Thanks.