Abstract

BARROSO, Luís. The First World War in Angola. The preemptive strike on Naulila. Relações Internacionais [online]. 2015, n.47, pp.127-148. ISSN 1645-9199.

The objective of this paper is to emphasize strategic and operational features of the German military strike on Naulila against the Portuguese forces in December 18th, 1914. The historiography produced on Portugal participation in the First World War classifies the German Strike as a punitive one, suggesting it was very limited in its purpose. However, according the strategic setting German forces were facing in the German South western Africa, the strike on Naulila must be considered as preemptive. They thought Lieutenant Colonel Roçadas expedition aimed to open the northern front through Angola because Portugal decided to join the allies. Due its focus on south against the South Africans, their military inferiority, and lacking communications, the Germans could not accept the risk of facing two simultaneous fronts.

Keywords : Naulila; Portugal; Germany; First World War.

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