One of the most frequently spread ideas about WWII is that Portugal saved the Portuguese from the conflict. More than 600 aviators and 134 military planes landed or fell in Portuguese territory. There were dogfights from as close as two nautical miles from the Portuguese coast, complex espionage networks acted in Portugal and many Portuguese citizens were awarded the Imperial Nazi Eagle Order. Perhaps Portugal's neutrality was only possible because it was of interest to both sides of the conflict.