Batalla de Boquerón – Paraguay
The Battle of Boqueron was conducted between September 7 and September 29, between Bolivia and Paraguay in March the Chaco War.
This war pitted the two countries between 1932 and 1935 for control of the Chaco Boreal (or Gran Chaco). The strategic value of this area was access to the Paraguay River and consequently also the exit to the Atlantic Ocean. It is noteworthy that for Bolivia, which had already lost to the Pacific Ocean during the Pacific War (1879), this fight was a matter of vital importance. The Boqueron fort had been occupied by the Bolivian army by July 1932, giving start to the Chaco War when Paraguay attempt its reconquest.
The first order made by the President of the neighboring country, Eusebio Ayala, in connection with the taking of the fort was intercepted by the Secret Service in Bolivia. From there, the League of Nations (organization that preceded the UN) declared the aggressor country Paraguay.
Commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Manuel Marzana, regiments from La Paz and Oruro, in whole or exceed 600 men, prevented the taking of the fort by the forces of Paraguay consists of 13,000 troops led by Felix Estigarribia. The superiority of the latter over the former made this a landmark battle for Bolivia. During the 23 days of the battle, beginning hostilities by Paraguay on 09 September, the men of Colonel Marzana resisted the onslaught.
Still, the September 29, and exhausted all resources, Bolivians should raise flags of surrender, having lost only 200 men against an army superior in numbers and arms had lost about 6000.
Despite the Paraguayan military tactical errors, many of his soldiers were inexperienced youth fresh from the Military Academy, the fort was finally taken.