The Portuguese Expeditionary Force in France. The first battalion heading to the trenches.

Os Portugueses em França; Primeiro batalhão a caminho da frente.



Les Portugais en France; Le premier balaillon en route vers les tranchees.



The Portuguese in France; The first batallion on their way to the trenches.



Reverse:

Serv. Phot. do C. E P. - Phot. Garcez

Lévy Fils & Cie. Paris

Other views: Larger

In retaliation for the sinking of Portuguese vessels, neutral Portugal seized 38 German vessels in Portuguese waters on on March 8, 1916. Germany declared war the next day after Portugal refused a demand for their immediate release. Austria-Hungary declared war on March 15.

Portugal field an Expeditionary Force of 50,000 under the command of General Fernando Tamagnini de Abreu e Silva that arrived in France on February 3, 1917, and saw action in Flanders on June 17.

The Portuguese were driven back at the Battle of the Lys, Germany's Operation Georgette, on April 9, 1918, and had 6,000 prisoners taken.

On August 25, 1918, Tamagnini was replaced by General Tomás António Garcia Rosado.

A Portuguese Cemetery is hundreds of yards from the Indian Memorial at the site of the 1915 Battle of Neuve Chapelle.