Campaign of Porto Calvo
Part of theDutch invasions of Brazil
Battle of Porto Calvo 1637
Date 1637 Location Porto Calvo,Brazil Result Dutch victory
Belligerents
Portugal Spain	Dutch Republic West India Company
Commanders and leaders
Count Bagnuolo	John Maurice, Prince of Nassau-Siegen Krzysztof Arciszewski Sigismund von Schoppe
Strength
2,600 Men (last year at Porto Calvo most likely more this year)[1]	3,350 Men
Casualties and losses
Unknown	6 dead 52 wounded[2]

TheCampaign of Porto Calvo, alternatively recognized as theFall of Porto Calvo, denotes amilitary expedition directed byJohn Maurice, Prince of Nassau-Siegen, aimed at the capture ofPorto Calvo. This endeavor proved successful asPrince John Maurice effectively secured control over the entire region.

Following the initiation of theGroot Desseyn by theDutch West India Company, a strategic endeavor marked by its expansive aspirations, theDutch progressively assumed control over variousPortuguese forts and colonies. Notably, the year1624 saw theDutch fleet arriving off the coast of Salvador, where aswift invasion ensued, resulting in the city's capture within a remarkably brief span of 24 hours.

This marked an acceleration of their territorial expansion inBrazil. In1636,John Maurice, Prince of Nassau-Siegen, was appointed as the governor ofDutch-held possessions in Brazil. Animated by an unwavering determination to augmentDutch Brazil's territorial dominion,Prince John Maurice spearheaded multiple far-reaching expeditions aimed at further territorial growth and consolidation.^[3]John Maurice was also sent for another reason since,Don Luis de Rojas y Borgia arrived inBrazil Upon his arrival, he disembarked his troops atJaragua and initiatedguerrilla warfare against theopposing forces. This involved attacks onfarms andplantations. These actions were primarily carried out from the captaincy ofPorto Calvo. At one point, a proposal was put forth by Von Schoppe to undertake a more aggressive approach by attacking and destroying the enemy bases. Despite initial reservations, this proposal was eventually accepted. As a result, a decision was made to shift from adefensive stance of protecting farms and plantations to an offensive strategy.^[4]

Upon the arrival ofJohan Maurits van Nassau-Siegen inRecife, he brought with him a fleet comprising four ships and a contingent of 350 personnel. Recognizing the need for additional support, he appealed to Von Schoppe for a reinforcement of 3,000 troops. The convergence of their forces took place inFebruary, at the mouth of the Uma River. Subsequently, a series of engagements and battles ensued against Portuguese forces as they advanced towardsBarra Grande. Their campaign eventually led them to the strategically fortified position of Forte do Bom Sucesso. After a period of approximately one to two weeks, the fort succumbed to the combined forces, resulting in its capitulation. Following this victory, the expedition proceeded to engage in the plundering of Alagos.^[5] Subsequently, they reached the Heart of Porto Calvo, where a significant battle with Portuguese forces, known as theBattle of Porto Calvo, transpired. This encounter concluded in victory of the Dutch, triumphing over the combined Portuguese-Spanish forces. With this pivotal victory secured, the stage was set for the commencement of a siege^[6] against the heavily fortified stronghold ofPorto Calvo. The fortress was very strategically positioned surroundinghills, manned by a substantial contingent of soldiers, which rendered it well-guarded. Employing a tactical approach, thePortuguese forces positioned on the hills engaged in artillery fire against the Dutch. In response, theDutch forces undertook the construction of tunnels leading towards the fort, a process that spanned approximately a week. Subsequently, the fortress ofPorto Calvo yielded, surrendering to the Dutch forces, the Dutch got a very large amount of artillery, and mortars this was a great addition to theWIC's arsenal^[7]

The campaign achieved notable success, marked by the acquisition of a substantialartillery inventory and the effective containment ofguerilla warfare activities. Additionally, the campaign led to a significant territorial expansion ofDutch Brazil's domain.^[8]

• Battles of the Dutch–Portuguese War
• Battles involving the Dutch Republic
• Battles involving Portugal
• Battles of the Eighty Years' War
• Military history of Brazil
• Eighty Years' War (1621–1648)
• Conflicts in 1637
• Military campaigns involving Portugal

• CS1 Dutch-language sources (nl)