Portugal OOB73

[RC4]

In 1946 we had 4 Infantry Divisions and equipment to mobilise 6 more from several garrison and independent formations. 3 of those Divisions were equipped by the British in 1943 with Radios and trucks and other weapons, in 1946 equipment arrived to the fourth one.
There were 4 Tank Groups (Battalions), in 2 Cavalry Regiments, each had a Heavy Sqn (10 Centauro) (HQ 2 tanks + 2 Troops of 4 tanks each) (in reality we used 5 Centauro in each Troop) and a Light Sqn (17 Valentine) (HQ 2 tanks + 3 Troops of 5 tanks each), we had 50 Centauro and 78 Valentine. Reconnaissance was performed by Humber Recon Sqns. Each had 3 Troops of 5 Humber and 3 Willys with MGs/Scouts/portable AT weapons. There were 4 Territorial Cavalry Regiments with Horse sqns, Bren Carriers, motorised riflemen, mortars, HMGs and AT guns (6 pounder).
Artillery was made of 4 Groups (Battalions) in each Division, 3 with 18 pieces of 25 pounder or leFH18 105mm, and the fourth with 18 Ordnance 140mm or sFH18 150mm. At Army Corps level there were Artillery Groups w/8 140mm and 4 114mm guns each.
Each of the 3 Infantry Regiments had 3 Battalions, an AT Coy with 12 6 pounder 57mm, a Recon Troop with 10 Bren Carrier (3 with Boys ATR), Engineer Platoon, Bicycle Platoon and a Defence Platoon (AA MGs and Boys ATR). Each Battalion had 3 Rifle Coy, a Support Coy and an Engineer Platoon. The Support Coy had 3 HMG Platoons (4 Breda HMG each) and a mortar Platoon (4 FBP m/937 81mm, licence built Italian WWII mortar, +4000m range, still active today). Each Rifle Coy had 3 Rifle Platoons (each 3 Rifle Sections of 13 men, lead by a Sargent w/MP34 9mm, a Dreyse 7,9mm LMG and Mauser 7,9mm rifles and hand grenades), There was a light mortar Section with 3 British 2 inch mortars and an AT Section with 3 Boys ATR, some PIAT were already in service since 1943 too). There was a Engineer Battalion at Divisional Level.
There were 13 independent Battalions, these being at 100% personnel and equipment (the most competent formations of the Portuguese Army). 10 were “Caçadores” (Hunters), 9 were stationed on the border with Spain since their civil war, the 5Th was at Lisboa and was full motorised, the other 3 Battalions were motorised MG Battalions, stationed at Lisboa, Porto and Figueira da Foz (near Coimbra). The “Caçadores” had 4 Rifle Coys, each had 3 regular rifle Platoons a support Platoon with 4 Breda HMG, 2 FBP m/937 81mm and a Boys ATR Section w/3 Boys), each battalion had a AT Coy with 8 6 pounder 57mm, a Gun Battery w/4 Ansaldo 75mm mountain guns, a Bicycle Platoon and an Engineer Platoon. The motorised MG Battalions had 3 motorised MG Coy, 1 Motorcycle Coy, 1 AT Coy with 8 6 pounder 57mm and 4 Flak38 20mm, an Engineer Platoon, a mortar Platoon (4 FBP m/937 81mm), and a Recon Platoon w/5 Bren Carrier(2 w/Boys). Each motorised MG Coy had 16 Borsig m/944 7,9mm (MG34 HMGs) in 4 Platoons, and a ATR Section w/2 Boys. The Motorcycle Coy had 4 Platoons w/3 MG34 LMGs each, a ATR Section w/3 Boys and light mortar Section with 3 British 2 inch mortars.