Special Groups (Portugal)
Encyclopedia
The Special Groups were small military units, set up from 1966 to 1974 by the Portuguese Armed Forces
in Angola
and in Mozambique
. Later Paratrooper Special Groups (Grupos Especiais Páraquedistas or GEP) were formed, units able to conduct airborne operations. By 1974 there were 84 Special Groups and 12 Paratrooper Special Groups operating in Mozambique and 90 Special Groups operating in Angola.
(and Portuguese Air Force
for the GEP), the GE were not integrated into the Armed Forces and were considered paramilitary
forces. The GE were made up of local volunteers, supported by senior Portuguese military personnel. With the exception of the GEP, each GE was usually fully established by members of the same ethnic African group. The GE received a similar training to commandos and the GEP to paratroopers
. The GEP were created and used only in Mozambique.
While the GEP were part of the Paratrooper Special Groups Battalion, the GE operated together with regular Army units, forming their intervention units.
. However, they often used the camouflaged uniform of the Portuguese Army. As headgear, the GE used a Yellow beret and the GEP a Maroon beret.
Portuguese Armed Forces
The armed forces of Portugal, commonly known as the Portuguese Armed Forces encompasses a Navy , an Army and an Air Force...
in Angola
Angola
Angola, officially the Republic of Angola , is a country in south-central Africa bordered by Namibia on the south, the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the north, and Zambia on the east; its west coast is on the Atlantic Ocean with Luanda as its capital city...
and in Mozambique
Mozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
. Later Paratrooper Special Groups (Grupos Especiais Páraquedistas or GEP) were formed, units able to conduct airborne operations. By 1974 there were 84 Special Groups and 12 Paratrooper Special Groups operating in Mozambique and 90 Special Groups operating in Angola.
Constitution and Training
Although they were trained and operated under the command of the Portuguese ArmyPortuguese Army
The Portuguese Army is the ground branch of the Portuguese Armed Forces which, in co-operation with other branches of the Portuguese military, is charged with the defence of Portugal...
(and Portuguese Air Force
Portuguese Air Force
The Portuguese Air Force is the air force of Portugal. Formed on July 1, 1952, with the Aeronáutica Militar and Aviação Naval united in a single independent Air Force, it is one of the three branches of the Portuguese Armed Forces and its origins dates back to 1912, when the military aviation...
for the GEP), the GE were not integrated into the Armed Forces and were considered paramilitary
Paramilitary
A paramilitary is a force whose function and organization are similar to those of a professional military, but which is not considered part of a state's formal armed forces....
forces. The GE were made up of local volunteers, supported by senior Portuguese military personnel. With the exception of the GEP, each GE was usually fully established by members of the same ethnic African group. The GE received a similar training to commandos and the GEP to paratroopers
Parachute Troops School
The ETP - Escola de Tropas Páraquedistas , based in Tancos, Portugal, is a unit of the Portuguese Army and serves as the instruction center for recruitment and training of the Portuguese paratroopers...
. The GEP were created and used only in Mozambique.
Organization
Each GE or GEP was organized as a combat group, consisting of an officer (commander of group), a sergeant (assistant) and 26 soldiers, organized into 3 sections, each consisting of 2 squads. The commander and deputy from each group were typically military or former military personnel. The remaining fighters were local Africans. Usually four GEs or GEPs formed a company.While the GEP were part of the Paratrooper Special Groups Battalion, the GE operated together with regular Army units, forming their intervention units.
Symbols and uniforms
The GE and GEP had as standard uniform a completely black battledressBattledress
Battledress, or fatigues in the general sense, is the type of uniform used as combat uniforms, as opposed to 'display' dress or formal uniform worn at parades and functions. It may be either monochrome or in a camouflage pattern...
. However, they often used the camouflaged uniform of the Portuguese Army. As headgear, the GE used a Yellow beret and the GEP a Maroon beret.
See also
- FlechasFlechasFlechas were a Portuguese special forces unit created during the Portuguese Colonial War. Flechas were platoon-sized units consisting of local tribesmen and rebel defectors who specialised in tracking, reconnaissance and pseudo-terrorist operations...
- Portuguese irregular forces in the Overseas WarPortuguese irregular forces in the Overseas WarIn various theaters of operations in the Portuguese Colonial War arose at the outset the need to create various types of irregular forces to help the Portuguese Armed Forces....
- Portuguese Colonial WarPortuguese Colonial WarThe Portuguese Colonial War , also known in Portugal as the Overseas War or in the former colonies as the War of liberation , was fought between Portugal's military and the emerging nationalist movements in Portugal's African colonies between 1961 and 1974, when the Portuguese regime was...