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The story of the Portuguese Expeditionary Corps (CEP) in the Great War is a sad one. Deployed in May 1917 near Armentières, the 20,000 men of its two divisions spent a miserable year in the trenches, as the troops—already puzzled by the rationale behind their deployment—grew increasingly demoralized. Farce turned to tragedy on 9 April 1918 when the CEP became the focal point for the second of Ludendorff's spring offensives, Operation GEORGETTE. In a few hours, the CEP was shattered, taking 500 dead and losing 6,500 prisoners.
Yes, a key point for the initial German successes.
ReplyDeleteIn the pictured monument, is the soldier wearing a gas mask?
Has anything ever been written that is available in English on the history of the Portuguese Expedition Corps? If not, it looks like a potential subject for an article or even a book.
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