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@americana.pipedream The Portuguese Expeditionary Corps fought alongside Allied forces on the Western Front during World War I, deploying nearly 60,000 troops to the trenches of northern France beginning in 1917. Despite poor equipment, brutal conditions, and political instability back home, Portuguese soldiers endured constant artillery bombardments, gas attacks, and trench raids while holding critical sectors against German forces. Their most devastating moment came during the Battle of La Lys in April 1918, when exhausted Portuguese units were overwhelmed during a massive German offensive after months without relief. Though the battle shattered much of the corps, Portuguese troops continued fighting alongside the Allies until the end of the war. Today, the Portuguese Expeditionary Force is remembered for its resilience and sacrifice in one of the deadliest conflicts in human history.
