Portuguese M2 question

[kurusu]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

Interesting reading!

It's not clear within what context the combatants are referred to as 'Marine Battalion'...Did the Portuguese have an actual 'Marine Corps' similar to their British and American counterparts??? Or were 'soldiers' (or sailors assigned ground assault duty) embarked onboard ship simply referred to as 'Marine'??? Perhaps 'Maritime' might be more accurate???

It's a complicated history, but in 1914 Portugal didn't have an actual Marine Corps, as you said above they had sailors with infantry training who were assigned ground assault duty.

Portugal present Marine Corps (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais) was created in 1961 but they trace their origins back to 1618, As I said complicated.

http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corpo_de_Fuzileiros

Originally Posted by sheepherder

And what is a 'soliped'??? A horse???

Yes a horse. A rather elaborate way of saying it. The normal word is cavalo.


The funny part is... In 1914 Portugal was neutral, we had no part in the Europe battle ground. But was sort of at war with the Germans in Africa. It was only in 1916 that Portugal entered the war. The other funny part. When Portuguese troops went to France they were equiped with British Enfield rifles and .32 Savage pistols.

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by kurusu

It's a complicated history, but in 1914 we didn't have an actual Marine Corps, as you said above we had sailors with infantry training who were assigned ground assault duty.

I wasn't sure if you were of Portuguese descent or not, but it may interest you to know that the United States Navy has a 'Naval Infantry" detachment, or did back in 1971, when I was in the Marines. (I found it out by accident). I think all Navy ships now carry 'ground assault' trained sailors - "VBSS detachments", whether they have Marines on board or not.

I have a desire to one day visit Portugal, and probably some of Spain as well. I've already visited Germany.

The 2M Luger cannon on eBay interests me...But I can't decide if it is worth even the starting bid...