Portuguese Dragoons, 1966-1974: The Return to Horseback

Between 1961 and 1974 Portugal fought a war to retain its African colonies of Angola, Guinea-Bissau, and Mozambique. Collectively known as the Campaigns for Africa, the origin of the conflict stems from the post-World War II atmosphere of nationalism and anti-colonial fervor. The Angolan insurgency began in 1961, followed by unrest in Guinea-Bissau in 1963 and Mozambique in 1964.

Portugal’s initial actions in Angola were based on foot-slogging by infantry, considered the best method of addre...