The 1st Cavalry Group GCav1 headquarters was in Silva Porto (Bié), Angola (Portuguese: Grupo de Cavalaria n.º 1), until 1968 the Reconnaissance Group of Angola (Portuguese: Grupo de Reconhecimento de Angola), and commonly known as the Dragoons of Angola (Portuguese: Dragões de Angola), was an elite cavalry (horseborne) unit of the Portuguese Army, that operated in the Angolan War of Independence against the communist guerrillas. The unit was formed in 1966 and was disbanded in 1975 due to the events of the Carnation Revolution in Lisbon, the end of the Portuguese Colonial War and the independence of Angola. In military history, it was probably one of the last units of real dragoons to be used in combat operations, excluding the Rhodesian Grey’s Scouts.
This integrated Squadron led to the establishment of two more operational squadrons and a command and services squadron. The ECav401 (1st Squadron) was based in Luanda, the ECS and ECav402 (2nd Squadron) in Silva Porto, and the ECav403 (3rd Squadron) in Luso. These units were equipped with French-made Panhard armored vehicles (EBR and ETT), which had undergone the necessary adaptations for the operational theater. Later, armored units, with different characteristics, the AML, were also integrated.
These vehicles were primarily used to escort columns (military or civilian), designated as MVL. In 1966, due to the combat conditions in eastern Angola, the Portuguese Army Command decided to create an experimental cavalry platoon. This unit proved ideal for operations in the region, as the mounted soldiers had a good view of the terrain covered in tall grass, allowing them to silently approach enemy forces.
GCav1 also became part of a cavalry rifle unit, designated CCav1407, based in the village of Andulo. A similar unit was being raised to operate in the Mozambican War of Independence, when it ended in 1974. The designation “Dragoons of Angola” was just an honorary title. The official name of the unit was “Reconnaissance Group of Angola” until 1968 and then “1st Cavalry Group”.
Organization of Cavalry Group No. 1 “Dragões do Bié”
Its organizational structure included the Command and Service Squadron and three Reconnaissance Squadrons, in addition to the Cavalry Troop Training Center. It still belonged administratively to GCav1, but did not depend on it operationally, as it constituted a cavalry squadron, a reserve of the Eastern Military Zone. To complete the structure of its area of responsibility, GCav1 was reinforced by four additional company-level subunits in Nharea, General Machado, Mutumbo, and Munhango.
Together with the battalion stationed in the city of Luso, its mission, among other tasks, was to keep the Benguela railway line usable, seeking to prevent its destruction by independence movements. This line was very important for Rhodesia (today, Zambia), as it enabled the flow and receipt of products through ports on the Angolan coast.
As a regular crew unit, GCav1 consisted primarily of Angolan-born personnel. Only the commander, second-in-command, operations officer, squadron commanders, and a few officers and sergeants were from mainland Portugal. For enlisted personnel, the Cuanhama and Cuamato groups were used in greater numbers, as they were already accustomed to handling horses.
ORGANIZATION OF THE HORSEBACK SQUADRON
The first cavalry squadron, commanded by Captain Moreira Dias, was formed based on the 2635th Cavalry Company (CCav2635), reinforced by GCav1. Its adaptation was driven by the experience gained by a cavalry platoon in 1968 and aimed at achieving greater responsiveness in the field.
Thus, the 2nd Cavalry Squadron now consisted of a command and three platoons (in the dismounted organization there were four), with a total strength of around 180 men and 150 horses. Each platoon consisted of three sections, with a total of 45 to 48 men.
The increase in personnel, in relation to that of a foot platoon, was justified by the need to have five more elements per section, to guarantee the guarding of the horses when the squadron acted on foot, organized into combat groups and using the “command” tactic. Normally, the squadron operated with just two platoons and a command section, which included a radio operator, two nurses, a 60mm mortar aimer and two or three men, who led two or three reserve horses for possible replacement, as will be seen later.
