Portuguese units in World War I

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Portugal was an ally of the United Kingdom and formally entered the war in 1916, although there was an undeclared war between Portugal and Germany in their African colonies before this date.

Wikipedia:Portugal during World War I has a general overview of Portuguese forces and campaigns.

Momentos de Historia is a Portuguese website that contains lots of information about Portugal in the First World War, including what appear to be complete lists of units at home, on the Western Front and in Africa. (Licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA.)

Portuguese Army

Portuguese Expeditionary Corps

The main Portuguese force on the Western Front, 1917-1918. Order of battle from Wikipedia:

Also various support units. Tactical structure mostly similar to the British, but 1st Division originally had 18 battalions, 6 of which were later split off to form 2nd Division.

The Portuguese divisions were sometimes under tactical command of XI Corps, British Army and sometimes under their own corps headquarters.

Sources

  • Wikipedia:Portuguese Expeditionary Corps gives basic information and order of battle for infantry units
  • Momentos de Historia: Franca 1917-18 includes order of battle for the whole force, including support units, and very detailed locations for infantry battalions.
  • Jesse Pyles, 'The Portuguese Expeditionary Corps in World War I: from Inception to Combat Destruction, 1914-1918' (MA thesis, University of North Texas, 2012). Gives a narrative and analysis of Portuguese operations on the Western Front and cites primary sources from British and Portuguese archives, including many personal narratives.
  • The National Archives of the UK (TNA): WO 95/5488, war diary of British military mission with the Portuguese Expeditionary Force (December 1916 to April 1918)
  • The National Archives of the UK (TNA): WO 95/5489, war diary of British military mission with the Portuguese Expeditionary Force (May 1918 to April 1919).
  • The National Archives of the UK (TNA): WO 106/546, correspondence and papers of British military mission with the Portuguese Expeditionary Force (August 1916 to January 1918).
  • The National Archives of the UK (TNA): WO 158/709 , Convention and arrangements for the employment of Portuguese Forces in France (21/11/1916 to 14/8/1917).
  • The National Archives of the UK (TNA): WO 158/75, British Expeditionary Force, General Headquarters correspondence: Battle of Lys: Attack on Portuguese Front, April 1918

Portuguese Independent Heavy Artillery Corps

Operated on the Western Front under French command, separately from the expeditionary corps. See Wikipedia:Portuguese Independent Heavy Artillery Corps

Africa

Portugal sent several expeditionary forces to its African colonies in Angola and Mozambique, and these expeditions fought against German forces.

See Momentos de Historia:


Home forces

Momentos de Historia: Portugal Continental


Portuguese Navy

Momentos de Historia: Marinha 1914-1918