I have recently been trying to pique interest at Pendraken in a Chaco War range so I thought I would see if there is any community interest in figures for this conflict.
For those not familiar with The Chaco War, it was a conflict between Paraguay and Bolivia from 1932-35, which has been described as "the bloodiest but least known conventional war in the Americas in the 20th century". The conflict involved airplanes, tanks, flamethrowers, and motor transport. It featured the first (and last) cross-border armoured assault in the Americas. The Paraguayan commander, was one of the best generals ever to command forces in the Americas; and the Bolivian commander one of the worst. Involving over 400,000 combatants and over 90,000 casualties the conflict was surprisingly modern and as much a harbinger of the coming second world war as the later Spanish Civil War.
I have wanted to wargame this conflict for some time, and as a largely infantry war I see 10mm as the perfect scale. If you are interested in finding out more there is a short wikipedia page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaco_War. Other good sources include the summer 2009 MHQ article ‘Battle in the Barrens’ and the excellent book 'The Green Hell' by Adrian English.
Peter W
Serendipity!
Just got the following...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Green-Hell-Paraguay-Spellmount-Military/dp/1862274452/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268390275&sr=8-5 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Green-Hell-Paraguay-Spellmount-Military/dp/1862274452/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268390275&sr=8-5)
Ben
Green Hell is an excellent history of the war - hope you enjoy. I was also amused by the Amazon suggestion of 'At the Tomb of the Inflatable Pig: Travel Through Paraguay'. I may have to pick it up for the title alone.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/At-Tomb-Inflatable-Pig-Paraguay/dp/0099416557/ref=pd_sim_b_1
Peter W
As it happens, I have a small pile of info in front of me on this! As I said before, I think you've got Dave's attention!
Just found this thread 8)
I would be very interested in this range.
Complements the whole VBCW Well.
Also I've got loads of Vietnam scenery that gives me loads of jungle :D
And so the groundswell begins!
I've added another vote, so we'll see how it goes.
Bit of a BUMP for this one!
Any more interest in the Chaco war?
Come on guys :D
add my vote too, this could be fun
I'd love to see it! Add my vote to this one.
(BTW The Green Hell is an excellent potted history of the war. A great pity that it was only in print for about half an hour).
There's an interesting article on the Chaco War in this old issue of Military Modelling:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Military-Modelling-June-1991-Gran-Chaco-War-MedCrossbow-/260744706875?pt=UK_Magazines&hash=item3cb5987b3b
And no - it's not me selling it.
Cheers,
Geoff.
Stumbled on this conflict on wiki a week or so ago whilst reseaching Vickers tanks. Yep, I'd be up for it in 10mm!
Votes added!
Thanks for the bump and the votes. My hope springs eternal that people will see the light realise what a great range this would be. :)
Just looking at a 15mm "Chaco War"range of figs,I like what i saw,So I vote,Yes please :D
Big Paul
Brisbane/Qld/Oz
Useful inter war stuff hardware wise, Vickers tanks, Semag/Becker Cannons.
looking at the Paraguayan uniform, looks like the figures would be useful elsewhere as well
http://newshopper.sulekha.com/paraguay-independence-day_photo_807556.htm
Same with the Bolivians
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/1941/kundtvisitingbolivantrovd1.jpg
Votes added!
Recently came across two good Chaco sources on youtube. Guerra del Chaco is a Bolivian documentary in 11 parts on youtube. Unless you speak Spanish you might want to skip to part 5 where the fighting starts. The second movie Guerra del Chaco - El Infierno del Chaco shows the war from the Paraguayan viewpoint. Its also in Spanish so you might want to FF to about the 38 minute mark. Both movies appear to use contemporary footage with some re-enactments, but they give a good idea of what the Chaco environment was like (a treehouse lookout appears to be a must) and the uniform/kit used by both sides. You can find them at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv1DWrVnDro&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOp-xQpITlc&feature=related
Peter W
Great to see the release of a Vickers Type A & B, both of which were fielded by Bolivia during the Chaco war. Piece by piece it's slowly coming together! :d
Chaco's finally made the 10 ten!! Dead last - but I'll take it :D
Lest anyone thought I had given up on my efforts get a Chaco War range, I have just posted a review of Osprey's new Chaco War book in the books thread. A great resource if you ever need to paint some Chaco War figures (hint, hint).
Peter W
Hi, there. I am a new member to this forum, but not to Pendraken. Can anyone tell me if, any of the existing ranges might be used as figures for this war, I was think of possible SCW range. Also is there any of the present range that could be used for the Carden-Lloyd Mk. VI tankettes (machinegun carriers). I have always be interested in the Inter-War Period.
I forgot to say that I would vote, yes.
Hello billwyatt
Quote from: billwyatt on 18 March 2012, 07:24:37 PM
Hi, there. I am a new member to this forum, but not to Pendraken. Can anyone tell me if, any of the existing ranges might be used as figures for this war, I was think of possible SCW range.
SCW ranges would be the best bet, also have a look at WW1 British in service caps. Doing a search on 'bush hat' would also give you some Indo-China type figures that would work as well.
QuoteAlso is there any of the present range that could be used for the Carden-Lloyd Mk. VI tankettes (machinegun carriers). I have always be interested in the Inter-War Period.
Sadly no. Refer to my posts on the T27 tankette. The Renault UE in the French WW2 list has the closest suspension but you'd have to do some conversion work. If you weren't fussy you could use the Italian C33/35 tankette (Italian WW2 list) or the Polish TK3 tankette made by another company
Cheers
GrumpyOldMan
Thank you for the information, I looked and I do think that the Militia-Andaluz in sombrero in the SCW range , could a very good match for the Paraguayan armed forces. :)
Quote from: GrumpyOldMan on 18 March 2012, 09:36:17 PM
Doing a search on 'bush hat' would also give you some Indo-China type figures that would work as well.
Can you tell me which of the Indo-China range figures were you be thinking of for the Chaco War period, please ?
Hi
Quote from: billwyatt on 21 March 2012, 09:26:55 AM
Can you tell me which of the Indo-China range figures were you be thinking of for the Chaco War period, please ?
It all depends on how fussy you are on weapons, there are:-
VC8 Riflemen, kneeling, firing, bush hat
VM5 Bo Dai Phuong, Thompson SMG, bush hat, kneeling
Only one I can find a photo of
(http://dereksweetoys.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/VCRange_thumb.jpg) on the right
VC10 LMG, Vz 30, kneeling, bush hat
V4 Riflemen, running, M16, bush hat...
VC2 Riflemen, firing, AK-47, bush hat...
VC12 LMG, Vz 30, prone, bush hat...
There's also
VC11 MMG 7.7mm Type 92 team, bush hat (3)...
but you'd have to do some work on the MMG.
Maybe asking on the 20th century fora for people who are familiar with these figures would give you a better idea.
Also you might want to think about the new ACW figures coming out soon, the confederates might also look the part.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6237/6342818608_59cc346fd3.jpg)
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6115/6342819622_374215386a.jpg)
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6092/6342821192_2fbf37bc41.jpg)
Cheers
GrumpyOldMan
Thank you for your help, I am not to sure about the ones armed with M16's & AK47's but, the ones armed with the Thompson SMG & vz 30's, both of which were used by the Paraguayans or are very similar to what they had. The Thompson SMG's for the Paraguayans were donated by a rich old lady, you just wonder where she got them from ??
The vz 30's are ideal for Vickers-Brethier or CSZ Brno ZB-26 & the Madsen M1903 with straight ammo clip, the Paraguayan brought via diffferent sources.
I look forward to the new ACW ranges that would be great for the rank & file of the Paraguayan Army.