Dating as far back as 1147, English Crusaders helped King Alfonso to capture Lisbon from the Moors. This Anglo-Portuguese alliance was formally ratified by the Treaty of Windsor, signed in 1386 which strengthened an original agreement made by King Edward III and King Ferdinand of Portugal in 1373. Further strengthening of this treaty took place over the next 550 years, latterly in 1815 and 1899.
Therefore, it is no surprise that Portugal eventually sent two divisions of infantry to the Western Front to join the Allied cause against the Germans. On 3rd February 1917, the first Portuguese troops arrived in France.
Known somewhat disparagingly by the British ‘Tommies’ as The Pork and Beans, the Portuguese fought bravely but receive a bad press in the Anglo-Centric historiography of the German Spring Offensive – ‘Georgette’ of April 1918 when they fell back in disarray.
The Portuguese war cemetery at Port Arthur, Neuve Chapelle, France is testament to their fighting capabilities and in many Portuguese towns you can find very traditional Great War memorials to their fallen troops of the Great War.
The Portuguese cemetery at Port Arthur.
Portuguese Great War memorial at Olhao.
…. and at Sao Bras.
