Headstones in the Portuguese Cemetery in Neuve Chapelle, France. Portugal joined the Entente Allies in 1917. They were on the front line in Operation Georgette, the German Lys Offensive, the second German drive of 1918. The Cemetery is across a field from the Indian Memorial visible in the background. Nearby is the Laventie German Cemetery. © 2014 by John M. Shea
"At about 7 a. m. on the 9th of April, in thick fog which again made observation impossible, the enemy appears to have attacked the left brigade of the 2nd Portuguese Division in strength and to have broken into their trenches. A few minutes afterwards, the area of attack spread south and north. Shortly after 7 a. m. the right brigade of the 40th Division reported that an attack had developed on their front, and was being held, but that machine gunners near their right-hand post could see the enemy moving rapidly through the sector to the south of them."
German commander Erich Ludendorff launched his second great offensive of 1918, Operation Georgette, the Lys Offensive, on April 9, after a preliminary bombardment of two days, striking the attenuated Portuguese line. The offensive, a pared-down version of a previously rejected plan, was an attack on the Lys River along the Franco-Belgian border. Portugal joined the Entente Allies in 1916, and its troops, the Portuguese Expeditionary Force, took up positions in 1917. In early April, the Portuguese were being relieved, the 1st Division having been withdrawn on April 5. With no replacement for the 1st, the 2nd Division extended their line, anticipating relief on the 9th, the day of Offensive began. The attack rapidly extended to the British. Excerpt from General Douglas Haig's July 1918 official report on the Battle of the Lys.
The Great Events of the Great War in Seven Volumes by Charles F. Horne, Vol. VI, 1918, p. 107, copyright © 1920 by The National Alumnia, publisher: The National Alumni, publication date: 1920
1918-04-09, 1918, April, Portuguese Military Cemetery, Portuguese Cemetery
