The Portuguese Flanders Expeditionary Force

It is a little known fact that Portugal sent an expeditionary force to France during the First World War. I was lucky to obtain “O Exercito Portugues na I Guerra Mundial: 1914-18” by Sergio Veludo Coelho. It is a small 48 page soft cover book with 10 color illustrations and virtually a photo on every page. The force comprised of about 40,000 men and was deployed in the Flanders.

Their uniform was of the British pattern including a forage cap and steel helmet. Descriptions indicate that the cap was peaked fore and aft with a droop in the middle but most photos and illustrations show a cap very similar to the British early war cap. ‘The Uniforms of the World’ by Knotel states that a French style helmet was issued in 1916 but all of the photos and illustrations show a British style helmet. One source states that it was Portuguese contracted to be made similar to ‘ British helmets with a fluted crown for extra strength and painted in a shade of uniform color’. The main difference in uniform from the British seems to be that its color was of a French shade of gray-blue cloth but one source states that during the war the color became more of a light blue but illustrations are all of the gray-blue shade. The leg Puttees were the same color as the uniform. Waist belts seem to have been more of a light khaki color than other straps. Equipment straps were the same as British uniforms and may have been of British manufacture. Boots and shoes also seem to be of British manufacture. Artillery wore a dress similar to the infantry. Cavalry wore a French style kepi or a British style helmet. The cavalry clothing was gray-blue and often carried a dark blue overcoat.

The Portuguese Army in Africa

The previously mentioned “O Exercito Portugues na I Guerra Mundial: 1914-18” by Sergio Veludo Coelho also contains data on the Portuguese army in Angola and Mozambique. Good information for additional forces for players who would like to conduct a Great War in Africa campaign. I will describe some of the uniforms :

Cavalry units in Angola wore a bleached white linen uniform with brown leather belts. The hat has a flat stiff kepi style crown and a wide brim. It looks like a traditional Iberian style sombero. The unit shown is the 11th and the shoulder straps are the same color as the tunic.

Native Infantry Askaris in Angola wear a white linen uniform with short pants. The men wear a red stiff high fez. The tunic has a wide black border along the bottom and it is cut in French Zouave fashion with red embroidery on the front and sleeves.

An illustration of a local Angolan volunteer is also shown. Though I believe that they would have worn what they had, the soldier is shown in a mid-dark gray tunic and pants.

Infantryman of the Regular 23rd Regiment in Mozambique is shown in a mid-gray tropical uniform. The pith helmet, tunic, trousers and puttees are all of the same color. The belts and shoes are black leather. Native Askari in Mozambique is shown wearing the same color of uniform as the regular troops. Even the fez is of the gray color. The troops are wearing sandals rather than shoes.

World War I Unique and Forgotten Units and Their Uniforms

Introduction
Portuguese: Flanders/Africa
Russian Expeditionary Force to France
Greek Forces on the Salonica Front
Albania and the Albanian Legion
The Three Czech Legions
Polish Legions in Russia and France
Canadian New Foundland Regiment
Singapore Mutiny 1915
British Operation in Somaliland
Pershing in Mexico: Battle of Carrizal
Persia and the Cossack Brigade
Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps
Italian Eritean Askaris
South African Revolt and Commonwealth Units