Exhibition: Portugal in wwi (1 Viewer)

[VIRIATO]

Today I went to Lisbon and visited a most interesting exhibition on Portugal's intervention in WWI. Although immediately at the start of the war there were clashes in Africa between Portuguese and German colonial troops, only years later did Portugal and Germany declare war on one another, as well as Austria and Portugal. The most widely known (here in Portugal) episode of Portugal's WWI occurred in the Western Front, at the La Lys battle (near the border of France with Belgium, 9th April 1918. The German army launched it's final offensive and the Portuguese sector was attacked in order to create a breach. At the time the tired Portuguese troops at the front were about to be relieved by fresher recruits, but there was no time for that. There was an onslaught from more than 30 German divisions and all the 2 Portuguese divisions could do was delay the Germans. 400 Portuguese dead and some 7000 POW was the result near the La Lys river. But the delaying action later came to be considered an important part of the Allied reaction that overcame Germany's last great offensive of the war and ultimately led to Germany and Austria's defeat. Portuguese troops were parte of the victory parades in July 1919 in Paris and London.
This temporary exhibition comprised items and films that came from all over the country and abroad, and will be open till April the 23rd. Go and visit if you happen to come by.
I shall now upload some photos.

Entrance

Paulo

 

[VIRIATO]

REgimental flag

Only the dead have seen the end of war

Operating table

Horse transport for the wounded

 

[VIRIATO]

German press: war with Portugal!

Shower if you're lucky

Replica of a monument to the Portuguese soldiers

75mm Cannet gun

Another view

 

[VIRIATO]

Limber

Masks and helmets

Travel light

Trough the trench

Vickers

 

[lancer]

Very interesting exhibition. I'm afraid Portugal's contribution in WW1 is little known and even less understood except amongst the die-hard WW1 historian types. My knowledge is pretty slim beyond the major facts. Thanks for posting the pictures. -- Al

 

[VIRIATO]

Lewis

Replica of a monument to the Portuguese soldiers in France: notice (if you can...) the Portuguese soldier is fighting death itself

La Lys remembrance poster

AT LAST: Portuguese soldier celebrating Armistice

 

[VIRIATO]

Portugal's participation was small in numbers (2 divisions at the Western front and colonial warfare with Germany). The country suffered 7000 dead. For a small country like mine the War had tremendous impact.
Historians say that the Portuguese intervention was mostly due:
-to Britain's pressure for Portugal to honor the alliance with the British (which started in the 14th century) by aprehending the German ships at the Lisbon harbour, which the Portuguese did;
-to Portugal's desire to protect the African colonies (Angola and Mozambique) from the Germans (and also from any deal between Germany and Britain that might result in those colonies being spoils of war for British and the Germans;
-to the recently installed Portuguese republican regime's need to unite the nation and afirm itself once and for all both in Portugal and abroad. The monarchy had fallen in 1910 and going to war was a matter that divided the political parties. At the time there was tremendous turmoil in Portugal, which went from bad to worse until Portugal became a dictatorship in 1928...

Some links
http://www.worldwar1.com/france/portugal.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Lys_(1918)
http://www.firstworldwar.com/features/minorpowers_portugal.htm
http://www.webmatters.net/belgium/ww1_lys_2.htm

 

[VIRIATO]

This is the kind of exhibition that can hopefully instill the love ot History in youngsters. Use of film, sound and other techologies. I saw many youngsters at the exhibition, which really was a plus.

A La Lys episode: there was a Portuguese soldier who alone held a number of Germans at bay by using his Lewis gun to great effect. When he left his position he wandered alone but kept firing occasionally at Germans. He later rescued a Scottish major from drowning in a swamp. His name was MILHAIS but when he reached a Portuguese camp the commander, upon knowing of his feats, said: you may be called MILHAIS but you are worth MILHÕES (MILLIONS in Portuguese). Needless to say he was decorated and became the stuff of legend.

Some images
http://www.google.pt/images?q=soldA...esult_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CCAQsAQwAw

Even today you can still find references to the Great War throughout the country. Were I live there is a street called the Allies Street, there is an Allies Avenue at Oporto, and even the smallest towns had their WWI dead and have Great War monuments. An older relative of mine, long deceased, fought in France and had a French wife (oh la la!!!) before he came back to Portugal, carrying amongst other memoirs, a bayonet (which I believe was later sold to an antiquary...)

Paulo

 

[marco55]

Thanks Paulo,
I have always been interested in Portugal's role in WWI and actually in Portugal's history as you were the leaders in the Age of Exploration.
Mark

 

[VIRIATO]

I have now uploaded this pictures to an album under my forum profile. Surf if you'd like.

Paulo

 

[Leadmen]

Thanks Paulo for the pictures and information on Portugal in WWl. I learn something new every day. John

 

[VIRIATO]

Thanks Paulo for the pictures and information on Portugal in WWl. I learn something new every day. John

Yes, me too! You're welcome, it's a pleasure.

Paulo

 

[Grognard]

Great stuff Paulo! Thanks for sharing with us this piece of history!

 

[VIRIATO]

Great stuff Paulo! Thanks for sharing with us this piece of history!

You're most welcome, my pleasure!


Paulo