First Battle of Nanawa
Nanawa, Gran Chaco, Paraguay
What happened
A Bolivian army led by General Hans Kundt fought the Paraguayan garrison of Nanawa under Colonel Luis Irrazábal. In the Chaco War, Bolivia and Paraguay fought over the hot, dry Gran Chaco region. Bolivia attacked the Paraguayan stronghold at Nanawa three times and took some positions, then tried to surround it with trenches. Paraguayan reinforcements arrived, heavy rains forced the Bolivians to give up their gains, and the Paraguayans held.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was one of the bloodiest battles in 20th-century South America and earned the nickname 'the South American Verdun'. Paraguay went on to win the war.
What came next
Bolivia attacked again in July 1933 in the Second Battle of Nanawa. A ceasefire ended the war in June 1935, and a peace treaty followed in 1938.
Did you know?
The Chaco War is also called 'the War of Thirst', because lack of water caused many deaths among the soldiers.
Timeline
- 9 September 1932The Chaco War begins.
- 20-26 January 1933Paraguay holds Nanawa.
- July 1933The Second Battle of Nanawa.
- 12 June 1935A ceasefire ends the fighting.
- 28 April 2009Bolivia and Paraguay sign a final border agreement.