Brief history: from spanish colonisation to 1932, chaco region had little importance. Subtropical dry are whic have no natural resources. Mainly inhabited by guarani natives and later mennonite migrant from europe. Colonial time maps didnt really have a clear border between Paraguay and bolivia due ton on existent central authority in the region. In 1920s British and american oil compainies thought a big oil and gas reserves can be found in chaco.Both sides claimed chaco region is their and in 1932 war started between two countries.
This was the last major war between two countries in latin american history
Also strangely; germans supported bolivia and italian supported Paraguay eventough they were close friends.
Chaco war is also considered the last trench war like ww1 in military history. Both countries were poor so they couldnt effort powerful planes or tanks
Wepons
Bolivia
Riflesand pistols :
1906 luger
Mauser c96
Browning m1911 semi auto
Belgian fn browning 1903
Vz 24 rifle
M1891 argentinian mauser
Submachine guns:
Mp 28
Mp34
Solothurn s100
Suomi m 31 : yeah, small numbers of finnishn smgs were also used
Lmg: zb26 , zb30
Vickers 1914
Mortar:
105 mm mortar (cant find its model tough)
Artillery:
75mm mountain howitzers,
105mm Mk B field guns
Anti aircraft gun:
Oerlikon Mk 1 twin 20mm guns
Flamethrower: both sides used but unknown origins (bad documentation)
Tanks: Vickers Mark E 6 ton armed with vicker mgs
Carden Loyd tankette armed with vicker mg
L3/35
Paraguay:
Rifless:
Belgian fn 1930
German m1907
Modello chileno mauser (chileon model mauser)
Lee–Metford
Smg: thompson m28
Others are same as bolivians
Paraguay captured lots of bolivian smei autos and smgs
Lmg: danish madsen lmg
Masen lmg
Colt brownig 1917
Mortar:
24 Stokes-Brandt 81mm tubes
Anti tank:
Artillery:
75mm german krupp
e 105mm Schneider M27s
Oerlikon Mk 1 twin 20mm guns
Flamethrower: both sides used but unknown origins (bad documentation)
Tanks: same as bolivia
