Portuguese Colonial War

1961–1974 armed conflicts in Africa between Portugal and independence movements

The Portuguese Colonial War (Portuguese: Guerra Colonial Portuguesa) was fought between Portugal's military and the emerging nationalist movements in Portugal's African colonies between 1961 and 1974. Portugal fought the MPLA, FNLA, UNITA and FLEC in Angola between 1961 and 1974. Also, they fought the PAIGC in Guinea-Bissau between 1963 and 1974. Lastly, they fought the FRELIMO in Mozambique between 1964 and 1974.

Portuguese Colonial War
Guerra Colonial Portuguesa
Part of the Decolonisation of Africa and the Cold War
Date1961–1974
Location
Result Carnation Revolution. The end of Estado Novo rule. Independence of Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique and São Tomé and Principe
Territorial
changes
Portuguese overseas territories in Africa become independent.[1]
Belligerents

Portugal Estado Novo

Supported by:

MPLA
FNLA
UNITA
FLEC
PAIGC
Mozambique FRELIMO

Commanders and leaders
Generally: Angola: Portuguese Guinea: Mozambique:
  • Portugal António Augusto dos Santos (1964–69)
  • Portugal Kaúlsa de Arriaga (1969–74)
Angola: Portuguese Guinea:
Mozambique:
Strength

148,000 European Portuguese regular troops

  • 65,000 in Angola
  • 32,000 in Portuguese Guinea
  • 51,000 in Mozambique

40,000–60,000 guerrillas +30,000 in Angola

  • 10,000 in Portuguese Guinea
  • 10–15,000 in Mozambique
Casualties and losses
  • 8,289 killed
  • 15,507 wounded (physical and/or psychological)
  • c. 30,000 total killed in Angola
  • c. 4,000 wounded in Portuguese Guinea
  • over 10,000 killed in Mozambique
Civilian casualties:
  • 50,000 killed in Mozambique[2]

References

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Other websites

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