British Officers in Portuguese Army Service (1809-1814)

Author:

Pedro de Avillez

Report:

41

Page:

55

Year:

2014

Subject Matter:

Peninsular War

Excerpt:

After the first French Invasion under Junot (1807-1808), the Portuguese Army was deprived of many of its senior commanding cadres and most of its competent officers. This was due to the departure of the Portuguese Court to Brazil in November 1807, when Queen Maria  and the Prince Regent, the future king Dom João VI, were accompanied by practically all the Navy and Marine units as well as by high-ranking and many general staff officers. Also many officers left Portugal to go to the Portuguese Atlantic islands, some joined Junot's Portuguerse Corps and Junot ordered the demobilisation of those who remained. From 1809 Portugal enlisted British officers in view of the lack of officer skills within the Portuguese Army.

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