São Jorge Island São Jorge Island São Jorge () is an island situated in the central group of the Azores archipelago and part of the autonomous region of Portugal. Separated from its nearest neighbors (Pico and Faial islands) by the Pico-São Jorge Channel, the central group is often referred colloquially as part of the "Triangulo" ("Triangle") group or just "The Triangle". São Jorge is a relatively long thin island with tall cliffs, whose 9500 inhabitants are concentrated on various geological debris fields ("fajãs") along the north and south coasts; from east to west, the island is long and, north to south, wide: its
Aviation in the Azores of air-sea bases would close the "Azores Gap", and provide a secure blanket for the North Atlantic. The sudden attack at Pearl Harbour by Imperial Japanese forces resulted in a review of Portuguese guidelines, paralysing the working group. A ship (the Portuguese "Mirandela") shipped 30 Gloster SS37 Gladiators and five Junkers Ju 52 monoplanes, as well as support equipment and personnel, were sent to the Azores (departing on 4 June 1941). Fifteen of the Gloster Gladiators and five Ju 52s were deposited in São Miguel at Air Base 4, for the 1st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, while the remaining planes were