THE CHACO AIR WAR 1932-35: The First Modern Air War in Latin America

1-217140

Over 200 ills, mostly b/w, with color maps & aircraft profiles.

The Chaco War was probably the first modern conflict in Latin America where military aviation was widely used in all roles. Bolivia, as the reader will find out, had a very powerful military air force, but unfortunately for them and luckily for Paraguay, its high army command did not take advantage of it. On the other hand, the Paraguayan Commander-in-Chief, General Jose Felix Estigarribia used military aviation to help him defeat the enemy on the ground, and the result was clear: the Bolivians were expelled from the Chaco after three years of war.

This book focuses on the Chaco Air War with the aircraft technical details and information on aerial operations. All dogfights and bombing missions mentioned are detailed including crews, aircraft, serials, places, and outcomes. The book also describes how both military air forces were organized, how pilots and aviation mechanics were trained, how and where aircraft were purchased and many other unpublished before details.

The maps included in the book will help the reader have an idea of where aerial operations took place, both combatants air bases, Bolivia's plan to conquer the whole region and how the Paraguayan Army finally expelled the enemy out of the Chaco. The text is supported by a large number of photographs, and specially commissioned color profile artworks from modelers.