STEPS TO VICTORY
Portugal did not initially form part of the system of alliances involved in World War I and thus remained neutral at the start of the conflict in 1914. But even though Portugal and Germany remained officially at peace for over a year and a half after the outbreak of World War I, there were many hostile engagements between the two countries. Portugal wanted to comply with British requests for aid and protect its colonies in Africa, causing clashes with German troops in the south of Portuguese Angola, which bordered German South-West Africa, in 1914 and 1915.
Tensions between Germany and Portugal also arose as a result of German U-boat warfare, which sought to blockade the United Kingdom, at the time the most important market for Portuguese products. Ultimately, tensions resulted in the confiscation of German ships interned in Portuguese ports, to which Germany reacted by declaring war on 9 March 1916, quickly followed by Portugal’s reciprocal declaration. (from Wikipedia)
Since war was declared, two overseas deployment divisions have been organized. These divisions had fought on the Western Front in northern France since 1916, and the date is now past 1918. The 1st Division withdrew due to soldiers’ fatigue accumulation and the political atmosphere intensifying. The situation with the 2nd Division was similar. The unit stayed on the front line for 6 months without replacement.
In the meantime, Germany was preparing for a final offensive. Millions of soldiers were lost in a war of extreme attrition that lasted four years. The frontlines were stretched to the limit, and the country was struggling with the food problem. In early April, Germany was preparing for the offensive. The Portuguese division has only two days left before a rearguard replacement.
At 4 a.m. on April 9, the 1,700 heavy artillerys of the German army opened fire. The Portuguese responded immediately with 88 heavy artillerys. The German attack was led by the 35th Infantry, 42nd Infantry, 1st Bavarian Reserve and 8th Bavarian Reserve, followed by the 8th Infantry, 117th Infantry, 81st Reserve and 10th Ersatz.
The northern end of the front was defended by the 4th Brigade (Minho Brigade) belonging to the 2nd Division. In the forefront, the 8th Battalion (Braga) and the 20th Battalion (Guimarães) defended, while immediately behind the 29th Battalion (Braga) supported the 8th Battalion’s defense.
The German 42nd Division launched an attack on the Portuguese northern line around 7:00 am.
Armament available
Central powers
- Gew98
- P08
- MP18
- MG08
- Gew98(trench)
Entente Powers
- Mauser–Vergueiro M/1904
- Pistola Savage 7.65mm M/915
- Lewis LMG
- Vickers .303 MK.I(Class C)
- Lee-Enfild SMLE N.1 mk.III
Artillery
- 15 cm sFH 02(German Empire)
- 15cm TR M/918(Portugal Republic)
squad composition
- 2 infantry squads of 12 men (11 riflemen, 1 officer)
- 1 heavy machine gun squad of 5 people (1 gunner, 3 assistants, 1 officer)
- German Army: 2 assault squads of 10 men (4 assaulter, 5 riflemen, 1 officer)
- Portuguese: 1 light machine gun squad of 7 men (4 machine gunners, 2 riflemen, 1 officer)
2nd division
4th brigade 8th battalion(Braga)
4rh brigade 20th battalion(GuimarĂŁes)
4th brigade 29th battalion(Braga)
The division’s direct heavy machine gun team
42nd Division
65th brigade N.17 regiment
65th brigade N.131 regiment
65th brigade N.138 regiment
27th Pionier battalion
1st Dragoner-Regiment N.7
soldier composition
- Riflemen: 1 rifle (12 5-round magazines), 2 grenades, bayonets (attached to the gun), canteen
- Officer: 1 pistol (6 magazines)
- Light Machine Gunner: 1 light machine gun (6 magazines), bayonet (separated), canteen
- Heavy Machine Gunner: 1 heavy machine gun (1 belt with 250 rounds), 1 pistol (6 magazines), canteen
- Assistant: 1 rifle (6 5-round magazines), 2 250-round ammo belts for heavy machine guns
- Assault: 1 submachine gun (10 magazines), bayonet (separated), 3 grenades, canteen
Map
Weather: fog, cloudy
Time: 7:00 am - 11:00 am
Game Mode: Invasion
Headcount: 40 vs 40
special effects
At the beginning of the battle, one German company (300 men) charged into the trenches.
20 minutes after the start of the battle, one German company (200 men) additionally charged.
Heavy Machine Guns can only spawn up to 4 squads at a time.