The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-12-20
BY ARCH RODGERS
United Press stan CORES pendent

lCC1-r.rnt. 1895 bY United Pressl
BUENOS AIRES. Argentina, Dec
20.-The infantry, supported by
machine guns and mobile artillery,
is still the backbone Of modern
warfare. Judging from the expert
euces OF the ChaCO war between
Bolivia and Paraguay.
This conclusion must be modified
however. by the nature Of the ter
rain. which is mostly heavily
wooded and broken. Tanks were
used by the BolIuans extensively,
but were not entirely successful.
Cavalry. used extensively by both
sides early IN the war, soon was
abandoned in favor Of infantry and
machine gun units.
Transportation in the ChacO is
difficult and it is therefore safe TO
assume that tanks and mobile units
would play a larger part in war
fare in different territory, such as
much Of the theater of the World
War.
Guns Of these types were pound
ing the banks Of the BilComayO
River today, continuing a lombard
ment which has lasted for a week,
as the Paraguayans sought to take
Fort D'Orbigny on the west bank.
Airplanes Used Extensively
As in the World War, airplanes
have been extensively used as spec
tacular sky engagements have been
fought. Some towns were bonn
barded The airplanes were i'm
portant in detecting enemy move
ments and IN conveying supplies
and wounded men, the latter in hos
pital planes.
Flame-throWers have been much
used, but poison gas has not figured
greatly in this war. The Paraguay
an government repeatedly de-
nounced the alleged use Of poison
gas by Bolivia.
All the modern implements of
war except heavy artillery thus
have been brought into action. The
heaviest artillery used has been
guns of % and los millimetecs.
MOrtars have been extensively en-
plOyed by both sides with tremen-
dous effect and are regarded as the
best type of artillery in the war.
Trench Warfare Used Steadily
Trench warfare has been the
order of the day. although in a
somewhat different military sense
than in France. 1t has been a war
of positions that is, all military
operations have been directed
against established positions such as
forts, OutpOsts, etc.
All the forts which dot the area
are ringed by trenches. In fighting
I0r a position, both sides dig in and
fight until one or the other is driven
to a new position.
In general tactics, the Bolivian
army follows the German method
and the Paraguayans the French.
The Bolivian method has been one
of mass drives, sending wave after
wave to sweep over the enemy. 1t
tended TO raise the ratio of Bolivian
casualties.
The ParagUayan is one of logged
resistance and Of strategic encircle-
ment, flanking the enemy and
weakening his central driving pow-
er. In the latter phases of the war
1t has proved remarkably success
ful
The Paraguayan army is French
trained. 1t is led by Gen. Jose Felix
EStlgarribia, brilliant graduate of
the French military academy. st.
Cyr. He mas not left the front
since the beginning OF the war. He
Is native born.
Gen Enrique Penaranda. a b.
livian, is the outstanding leader on
the other side. He has achieved
some brilliant successes and dis
tinguiShed himself at the battle of
Campovia last December. The b.
ivianS have been trained on Ger
man lines and Gen. Hans Kundt