Military History | Portuguese Colonial War
Guerra do Ultramar (1961-74)

Portugal was the first European country to arrive in Africa and the last to leave. Between 1961 and 1974 Portugal conducted three simultaneous campaigns in Guinea-Bissau, Angola and Mozambique - collectively called the Portuguese Colonial War (Guerra Colonial) or Overseas War (Guerra do Ultramar). It was Portugal's first major war since World War One. The Colonial War was small scale and the involved the Portuguese manning and supplying fortified posts whilst trying to locate and destroy small guerilla bands. Both sides used ambushes; the insurgents ambushing the Portuguese convoys and the Portuguese intervention units (unidades de intervenço) ambushing the insurgent incursion groups.

Portuguese Commandoes Skirmish with Insurgents