Portugal in WW1 — Battle of the Lys, 1918 (Part III)
The Battle of the Lys, also known as the Fourth Battle of Ypres, was fought from 7 to 29 April 1918, and it was a pivotal engagement in World War I’s Western Front, notable for both its strategic objectives and, in particularly, the heavy toll it took on Portuguese forces. Known in Portugal as the Battle of La Lys, it was part of the German Spring Offensive, specifically the Georgette Operation (Operation George), intended to break through Allied lines in Flanders and ultimately disrupt British operations. Germany, led by General Erich Ludendorff, launched this offensive in an effort to capitalise on the recent influx of troops from the Eastern Front after Russia’s withdrawal from the war, seeking to make substantial territorial gains before American forces arrived in full strength on the battlefield.
The battle began on 9th of April, with an intense artillery barrage followed by a powerful German assault, primarily targeting sectors held by the British army and the Portuguese Expeditionary Corps (CEP). Positioned around Neuve-Chapelle, the Portuguese 2nd Division—comprising around 20,000 soldiers—faced the brunt of the attack. Critically, this division was both physically and mentally exhausted after extended periods on the frontlines. Despite earlier promises from British command to replace them, the Portuguese forces remained on the line, severely undermanned, with many soldiers undertrained and lacking essential supplies. This vulnerability left them poorly equipped to counter the German onslaught, which was executed with superior tactics, coordination, and firepower.
As German forces advanced, the CEP faced a swift and devastating rout. Within hours, the Portuguese suffered significant losses: thousands were killed, wounded, or taken prisoner. The division's collapse led to a rapid breach in the Allied lines, creating an opening that the Germans exploited. Despite attempts by British and French forces to stabilise the front, the Portuguese losses were substantial, with estimates indicating that as many as 1,300 Portuguese soldiers were killed, alongside thousands more wounded or captured.
From left to right:
1) Trench environment identical to that experienced during the Battle of the Lys, on April 9, 1918 (private archive);
2) Allied soldiers on the battlefield carrying a comrade injured in combat (private archive);
3) Soldiers lurking in the trenches on a muddy field, in 1917/18 (private archive);
4) CEP troops on the battlefield facing barbed wire, in 1918 (private archive);
5) Soldiers on the battlefield during the First World War, in 1918 (private archive);
6) CEP prisoners of war after the Battle of the Lys, in 1918 (private archive).