1st Division (Portugal)

1ª Divisão do CEP
1st CEP Division
Active 1917–1919
Country Portugal Portugal
Allegiance Portuguese Army
Branch Army
Type Division
Role Infantry
Size 25 000
Headquarters Lestren, France
Engagements World War I
Commanders
Division commander General Gomes da Costa

The 1st Division was one of the two divisions of the Portuguese Expeditionary Corps (CEP, Corpo Expedicionário Português), the main military force of Portugal that fought in the World War I Western Front on the side of the Allies. The Division was under the command of General Gomes da Costa, during most of its existence.

From the June 2, 1917 to the April 6, 1918, the 1st Division was responsible for the subsectors of Neuve-Chappelle and Ferme du Bois of the Portuguese Sector of the Western Front.

After heavy losses in the Front, the 1st Division was removed from the front line, three days before the April 9, 1918 German offensive that gave origin of the Battle of the Lys, where CEP was virtually destroyed.

In July 1918, the 1st Division was the core for the reconstruction of the CEP and participated in the final Allied offensive.

The 4th Company of IV Battalion the 1st Division, under the command of captain Barros Bastos made a final assault against the German positions near the Scheldt river on the November 11, 1918, on the same day of the Armistice. This was the last Portuguese combat action of World War I.

References

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