Customer Reviews

Aircraft of the Chaco War 1928-1935

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As an earlier reviewer noted, this work very ably fills the pictorial void in Bruce Farcau's otherwise excellent history of the Depression era Chaco War between Bolivia and Paraguay. Despite its focus on air operations - which is obviously not a fault, but the intended scope of the book - Hagedorn & Sapienza's collection of photographs and related information are certainly the quickest way for 21st century readers, and especially foreigners who have little conception of the Gran Chaco region, to get a feel for the time and place of this war.

If there is any fault, it would have to be the book's hefty price. But realistically, that is to be expected with the excellent glossy paper used and the fine photo reproduction of the publisher, combined with the rather limited sales appeal of such an obscure military history.

Alas, obscure is not irrelevant. The photos of modern engines of war in such an unpopulated and remote place, the barren look of the landscape and the overall verdict of history - that this was a completely unnecessary war - all reminded me of today's smoldering standoff between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

A very worthwhile book, virtually a mandatory supplement to Farcau's work.

In 1932, Bolivia and Paraguay went to war over a large, flat, sparsely watered plateau called the Gran Chaco. Over the course of three years, the two armies, exhibiting constant bravery and periodic stupidity, dueled, generating at least 90,000 deaths. In this book, Dan Hagedorn and Antonio Sapienza look at the war from the angle of the use of airpower during the war. The individual types of aircraft used by the combatants are reviewed, as are their operational uses.

This book makes an excellent companion for The Chaco War by Bruce Farcau. The author of that book almost completely ignores the air war component of the war, while this book focuses on it. Also, unlike the other book, this one is awash with maps and pictures from the war. Therefore, if you are interested in the Chaco War, then you should read this book.

IF YOU WANT TO LEARN ABOUT THIS NOT SO WELL KNOWN MODERN CONFLICT BETWEEN TWO ESTABLISHED NATIONS, BOTH WITH AIR FORCES AT THAT TIME, THIS IS THE BOOK TO READ. BESIDES THE SPECTACULAR TEXT, THE PICTURES ARE GREAT!!!!!!

These must be the best ever released book related to aeronautics. It has much relevant information about, as it's title stands, the aircraft of the Chaco war. I, as the author, live in the peaceful country, which is the place where the war was hold in those years, and I can assure that this title has the most complete information about the past golden age of the Paraguayan air force. Just one more should be added, congratulations Mr. Tony, you've done a great job. Victor Amarilla/ Paul McCartney

These is one of the best ever released books related to aeronautics. It has much relevant information about, as it's title said, the aircraft of the Chaco war. Nothing else can be added to this review, except one thing. Congratulations Tony, you've done a great job. Paul McCartney/ Victor Amarilla

This is an excellent book for anyone interested in the aircraft used by both Bolivia and Paraguay during their war over the Chaco Boreal (or Grand Chaco), a conflict fought over what was then thought to be rich mineral and oil deposits... things don't change much!

Given the various nationalities involved as "mercenaries" for both belligerents, the conflict could be viewed together with the later Second Italo-Abyssinian War and the Spanish Civil War as a prelude to World War II in Europe/Africa/Middle East.

The book is well illustrated with black & white `photos of the aircraft used by the two air-forces, and details about operations that each participated in. There's even a potted history of the conflict to give the reader an understanding of what went on in this little known conflict.

Jon. E. DUGGAN... Sydney NSW, AustraliaAircraft of the Chaco War 1928-1935

Solid effort to uncover one of the least known and most interesting aerial struggles of the Americas