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On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Battle of La Lys, the President of the Republic evoked the memory of the Portuguese soldiers who fought in World War I.
“When the 90th anniversary of the Battle of La Lys is recollected, we evoke the memory of the soldiers in the Portuguese Expeditionary Corps that, detached in Europe, fought in defence of the values of Democracy and Freedom, which guided the Allies in their strife against the Central powers.
Involved since the beginning of World War I in African battles, specifically in Angola and Mozambique, and at a moment when it was searching for its external public recognition, the young Portuguese Republic entered the European conflict in 1916. Two divisions of Portuguese troops arrived in Flanders in the beginning of the following year, where they remained on the front trenches, without any reinforcements, suffering from the arduous fighting, the cold and multiple privations.
That day of April 9 of 1918, when the German offensive which would alter the course of war fell upon the Portuguese sector, would become an historical marker of great significance for Portugal, with enemy troops being launched onto the Portuguese soldiers.
La Lys – or Armentières – remains in the collective memory of the Portuguese Nation and the Allies. There many Portuguese soldiers fought, suffered and died, in a fratricidal and bloody war. They did not fight in vain.
To remember the Battle of La Lys and the Portuguese soldiers that took part in it is to celebrate the example that they left, for the benefit of Fraternity between the European brotherhoods.
Aníbal Cavaco Silva”
© 2006-2016 Presidency of the Portuguese Republic
You have gained access to the records of the Official Site of the Presidency of the Republic from 9 March 2006 to 9 March 2016.
The contents available here were entered in the site during the 10 year period covering the two mandates of President of the Republic Aníbal Cavaco Silva.
