Legião Portuguesa (Estado Novo)

For other uses, see Portuguese Legion.
Portuguese Legion
'"Legião Portuguesa"
Motto To '"defend the spiritual heritage [of Portugal]" and to "fight the communist threat and anarchism".
Formation 1936
Type Paramilitary
Legal status Defunct
Region served
Portugal
Parent organization
 National Union (Portugal)

The Portuguese Legion (Portuguese: Legião Portuguesa) was a Portuguese paramilitary state organization founded in 1936 during the Portuguese President of the Council´s António de Oliveira Salazar's far right-wing regime, the Estado Novo. Salazar copied the SA and the Blackshirts because he wanted to have more power over the Portuguese people. It was dissolved in 1974.

Its stated objectives were to "defend the spiritual heritage [of Portugal]" and to "fight the communist threat and anarchism". During World War II, the Portuguese Legion was the only Portuguese state organization that openly adopted and defended Hitler's aims for Europe, some of them joined the German Army during the war, after the war the Portuguese Legion and Portugal itself were seen as fascists, so the Portuguese Legion lost some power..

The Portuguese Legion was under the control of the Ministry of the Interior and War, and was responsible for coordinating civil defense in Portuguese territory, including in the Portuguese Empire. It was deeply involved in multiple collaborations with PIDE, the political police that was the authoritarian regime's main tool of repression. They used the roman salute and also used to shout the name of Salazar in their Parades.

Membership

Membership in the Portuguese Union was open to any white person over 18 years of age.

Members of the Portuguese Legion were divided into three levels:
Escalão das Actividade Militares: included legionaries from the ages of 18 to 45.
Escalão Privativo da DCT: Members 45 and older.
Escalão de Serviços Moderados: Only open to members over the age of 60.

Oath

The official oath of the Portuguese Legion was:

Portuguese Lyrics English translation

Como legionário, juro obediência aos meus chefes na defesa da Pátria e da ordem social
e afirmo solenemente pela minha honra que tudo sacrificarei, incluindo a própria vida, se tanto for necessário,
ao serviço da Nação, do seu património espiritual, da moral cristã e da liberdade da terra portuguesa.

As a Legionnaire, I swear obedience to my leaders in the defense of the Fatherland and of the social order
and solemnly affirm on my honor that I will sacrifice everything, including my life, if necessary,
for the service of the Nation, its spiritual heritage, of the Christian morality and freedom of the Portuguese land.

In addition to the legionnaires, there were subscribers who were not members of the LP, but contributed to its financing.

War Cry

The official war cry of the Portuguese Legion was:

Portuguese Lyrics English translation

Legionários, quem vive?
Portugal! Portugal! Portugal!
Legionários, quem manda?
Salazar! Salazar! Salazar!

Legionnaires, who lives?
Portugal! Portugal! Portugal!
Legionaries, who rules?
Salazar! Salazar! Salazar!

Sources

See also


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