Aníbal Milhais
Who Was Aníbal Milhais and Why Was He Called the 'Million Soldier'?
Aníbal Milhais was a Portuguese soldier serving in the 2nd Division of the Portuguese Expeditionary Corps during World War I. During the Battle of the Lys on April 9, 1918, he single-handedly operated a Lewis machine gun to hold off advancing German forces, allowing his comrades to retreat. His actions earned him the nickname 'Soldado Milhões' (Million Soldier) from his commander, signifying that his individual bravery was worth a million men.
Quick Facts
Awards
Who Was Aníbal Milhais?
Aníbal Augusto Milhais was a humble farmer from Portugal who became the most decorated Portuguese soldier of the First World War. His actions during the German offensive in Flanders remain a defining moment in Portuguese military history.
Early Life
Born in Valongo, Portugal, in 1895, Milhais worked as a farmer before being mobilized for service in the Portuguese Expeditionary Corps during the First World War.
Before the Event
By April 1918, the Portuguese Expeditionary Corps had been holding a sector of the front line in northern France for a year. The troops were exhausted and awaiting relief when the German 'Operation Georgette' began.
What Happened
On April 9, 1918, during the Battle of the Lys, Milhais remained at his post with a Lewis machine gun, which his fellow soldiers nicknamed 'Luísa.' As German stormtroopers advanced, he fired continuously to cover the retreat of his fellow Portuguese and British soldiers. He remained behind enemy lines for several days, eventually rescuing a Scottish military doctor from a swamp before successfully navigating back to Allied lines.
Defining Moment
His commander famously remarked, 'Tu és Milhais, mas vales Milhões' (You are Milhais, but you are worth millions), cementing his legacy as the 'Soldado Milhões.'
Aftermath
Milhais was awarded the Military Order of the Tower and of the Sword, the highest Portuguese military honor. He returned to his life as a farmer after the war, eventually raising nine children.
Later Life
Following his return to civilian life, Milhais lived quietly in Portugal until his death in 1970. He remains a national hero, with films and commemorations dedicated to his service.
Why It Matters
Milhais' story challenges the historical narrative that the Portuguese Corps failed to resist the German offensive. His individual heroism serves as a symbol of the significant, often overlooked, contribution of Portuguese forces on the Western Front.
Aníbal Milhais was a Portuguese soldier who single-handedly held off German forces with a machine gun during the 1918 Battle of the Lys. His bravery allowed his unit to retreat safely, earning him the nickname 'Soldado Milhões' (Million Soldier) and the highest Portuguese military decoration for valor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aníbal Milhais
1Why was Aníbal Milhais called the 'Million Soldier'?+
2What was the Battle of the Lys?+
3Did the Portuguese troops retreat during the Battle of the Lys?+
Historical Sources
- [T3] Outono.net — "Aníbal Milhais: the great feat of a Portuguese soldier during the World War I" (https://www.outono.net/elentir/2023/01/19/anibal-milhais-the-great-feat-of-a-portuguese-soldier-during-the-world-war-i), accessed 2026-10-14
- [T3] Euronews — "Portuguese film pays tribute to a WWI hero" (https://www.euronews.com/2018/04/10/portuguese-film-pays-tribute-to-a-wwi-hero), accessed 2026-10-14
- [T2] University of North Texas Digital Library — "The Portuguese Expeditionary Corps in World War I: From Inception to Destruction, 1914-1918" (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc115143), accessed 2026-10-14
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