Portuguese Army on Western Front

[Alan Baker]

Another item from the Portuguese Army in France. The cover has a censor stamp "Censurado 4" and a cancellation "SPC 11" dated 11 X 17. It is backstamped "SPC 8" dated 13 X 17.

It appears to be addressed to a soldier with "2a BMM". It does not bear anything to indicate it came from Portugal itself.

Q1. What does the "BMM" stand for? All I can think of is British Military Mission

Q2. Was it sent by a soldier with one unit to another elsewhere in France? I have other items posted to Portuguese soldiers, which generally have two SPC stamps, but not usually Censurado stamps.

Q3. Is there anyone out there who collects mail to/from the Portuguese, as I don't seem to have many rivals when I bid for items on ebay etc?

[Alan Baker]

This time with scans

[Michael Dobbs]

Alan

I agree that BMM would appear to indicate British Military Mission (I wonder if there were more than one with the Portuguese ?).
This would appear to be a question for our WW1 expert - Alistair !

Regards, Mike  ;D

[akennedy]

Usually BMM would be British Military Mission, but not in this context.
The Portuguese order of battle (under corpo expedicionario Portugeues)
included 2a batarias de morteiros medios, which I read as 2nd medium mortar battery.
Alistair

[Alan Baker]

Many thanks Alistair. That makes it even more interesting. Your Portuguese is clearly better than mine!

Do you have any views on Q2?

[akennedy]

agree probably from one soldier to another - no civil postmark or censor mark.

military terms are often similar in different languages!

Alistair

[Alan Baker]

:Just coming back to this.

Any idea where this unit was based?