World War II by country warships and the German ship "Admiral Graf Spee" fought the Battle of the River Plate in the zone. This prompted a joint protest from several Latin American nations to both sides. ("Admiral Graf Spee" took refuge in Uruguay's capital, Montevideo, claiming sanctuary in a neutral port, but was later ordered out.) In early 1942, President Baldomir broke off diplomatic relations with the Axis Powers. On 15 February 1945, near the end of the war, Uruguay dropped its neutrality and joined the Allies. Uzbekistan was part of the Soviet Union during World War II. So see this article's section on the
Latvian Mercantile Marine during World War II Latvian Mercantile Marine during World War II The part of the Latvian fleet that fought for the Allies in World War II under the flag of Latvia consisted of eight freighters: "Abagra", "Ciltvaira", "Regent", "Everasma", "Everalda", "Everelza", "Ķegums", and "Everagra". Only "Everagra" and "Ķegums" survived the war. After the USSR occupied Latvia on June 17, 1940, and the country was annexed to the Soviet Union, the Soviet authorities issued orders for Latvian merchant navy ships to return home. Some of the ships obeyed and their crews were deported to Gulag labor camps. The eight ships denied the order. The town