PDF The Chaco War 1932–35: South America’s greatest modern conflict (Men-at-Arms) by Alejandro de Quesada in History

Review

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. A pounding in the Chaco...By DutchAlejandro De Quesada is one of my personal favorite authors who is published by Osprey Publishing. His works include the Bay of Pigs (ELITE); US Home Front (MAA); US Coastguard (ELITE) and others. The author's enthusiasm for American and Latin American history is evident in his works. De Quesada also shares more of his epic photograph collection.This was no skirmish war with light troops. This is classic 1920's and 1930's-style warfare. Infantry; artillery; aircraft and armor followed the same patterns used in the Spanish Civil War. In the Chaco War we learn of the composition and TOE of the Paraguayan and Bolivian Armies. The author breaks down the war into its three phases; Bolivian assault on the Paraguayan fortified line anchored on Nanawa; Fortin Boqueron and Lopez. This is followed by the Paraguayan counter offensive towards Ballivian and the push to the original Bolivian border. The harsh climate and extreme weather are evident in the cycle of operations of each army. Naval and air operations are outlined; as well as foreign participation. Bolivia possessed many advantages: a larger army; armor and a German adviser group. Paraguay could match this with that Paraguayan determination. The War of the Triple Alliance in the 19th century shows that Paraguay does not back down. Their determination and excellent leadership proved equal to the task.FYI - Osprey does listen. I have suggested both the Bay of Pigs and the Chaco War at the Website since they started asking for suggestions. It is fortunate that Alejandro De Quesada shares his time and effort with us.4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. An Obscure Conflict Comes to LightBy M. FrostEveryone interested in this subject absolutely should own this book! Anyone who is familiar with Osprey's Men-at-Arms series knows exactly what this book looks and reads like. These are general overviews with a high percentage of the book dedicated to lots of small bw photographs and a few pages of large full-color artistic plates.This short book is 48 pages; with 8 pages of color plates and 4 pages of plate commentaries. There is a 1-page index and short 1-page bibliography; that lists only 2 books written in English and the rest written in Spanish. The book is divided into the following sections: Introduction; Paraguayan Forces (including a section on the Navy); Bolivian Forces; Military Operations (which breaks the war into 3 phases: 7/32-12/33; 1/34-12/34; and 12/34-6/35; with a 1/2-page insert on the Mennonite Colonies); Weapons (broken out by Infantry; Artillery; and Armored vehicles); Air War (divided into Combat operations; General air support; Naval air operations; and Wartime procurement); and Foreign Involvement.This is probably the single best book in English that is both readily available and inexpensive. It may not be very deep but it is very broad; covering pretty much every significant aspect of the war except for the home fronts. That alone makes it a must buy for anyone interested in this fascinating confict. All of the other primary books in English are either out of print (e.g.; Zook); very expensive (e.g.; English's recent The Green Hell or Farcau's book from the 1990s); or limited to a single aspect of the conflict (e.g.; Hagendorn Sapienza's Aircraft of the Chaco War). Other than this book; the material on Wikipedia is the rest of the best readily available in English.The worst flaw of this book is that there is only a single 1-page map; in bw. The map is decent; but it fails to fully complement the text as many places named in the text are not shown on the map. The map does show positions as they generally existed at the start of the war; 11/15/34; 1/18/35; and 3/1/35. But the map fails to show either final positions or the current legal boundary between the two countries. The text really needs at least a 2nd map showing the extensive activity in 1935 at the western end of the area; where Paraguayan forces cross over into Bolivia proper. Would've been best to have had one dedicated map for each of the 3 phases of military operations discussed in the text.The book would've benefitted from some more detail about the weapons involved; esp. drawings and specifications of the primary airplanes and details about the two major Paraguayan naval combatants (e.g.; size; weapons). The text also should've better explained the order of battle for the respective Corps formed after the start of the war (e.g.; how many and which divisions/regiments were in each Corps); there is only an OOB for the start of the war before the Corps were formed.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Another Excellent Offering From OspreyBy James P.Another excellent offering from Osprey. Kudos to this publisher; for telling the stories of less renowned conflicts with as the same accuracy and detail as the two great World Wars and battles of the Cold War. If you're a modern military history lover; and a student of battles like Verdun; Stalingrad or Okinawa; I think you'll find Quesada's Chaco War worth a look. The text is easy to follow; and the book's photos and color plates help bring the fading past into the present and pull the elements of this story together. As the title states; this was South America's greatest war; and introduced the use of modern weapons there; and although I respect the bravery and toughness of those who served in it; which in some instances staggers belief; it was a cruel; ruinous and basically pointless fight; as you'll see if you buy this book.