2026/01/02 by Marisa Filipe · 1 voice
Arts and Humanities · Social Sciences · #Intelligence, Security, War Strategy #Media, Journalism, and Communication History #Military History and Strategy
paper · doi:10.1080/16161262.2026.2659516
openalex publication_date 2026/01/02 · openalex created_date 2026/04/15 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
This article aims to offer new perspectives on Anglo-Portuguese relations during the Second World War. Drawing on secondary literature but primarily on primary sources gathered from British and Portuguese archives, it seeks to examine whether British intelligence operations endangered Portuguese neutrality and to what extent diplomacy was involved – or compromised – in these actions. The essay begins by outlining the historical and geographical context of Portugal during the conflict. This article presents, for the first time in detail, the SOE-organized Operation PANICLE and the diplomatic scandal it triggered in Portugal, then explores – through the analysis of telegrams, memoranda, and official correspondence – the dynamics and tensions that emerged between countries and agencies, as well as the advantages the Axis powers drew from the situation, ultimately challenging Portugal’s declared position of neutrality.