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CHILE: Independence Day


WAISers are divided into those who hate the Chilean Army and Pinochet, and those who are more sympathetic to them. Carlos López belongs to the latter group. He writes:

"The Army took advantage of the annual Independence Day review to make several points:

  1. The Armed Forces budget has been cut to the point only 8,000 marched.

  2. They showed "old glories"; a company of the Chacabuco regiment marched in XIX century uniforms, like those used in the War of The Pacific (in which Chile defeated Peru and Bolivia).

  3. They showed a mounted band for the first time in years. The band preceded a column of Leopard II tanks. Also a mounted artillery battery with German type uniforms.

  4. Izurrieta, the Army Commanders, gave strict orders to the men to instruct their wives, children and relatives not to whistle (boo) President Lagos. Still, the whistles and the yells "Pinochet!" were louder than the "vivas", as the troops escorted the President, but this is normal in Chile."

My candid comment: Chacabuco was the scene of the 1817 battle at which the Argentine San Martín defeated the Spaniards, killing most of them or taking them prisoner, while his army suffered few losses. A typical glorious victory. It opened the way to Santiago.I am sorry for the Spaniards, who hated the whole business.

Equally bloody was the 1924 Battle of Ayacucho, at which Bolivar's lieutenant Sucre defeated the Spaniards, whose leader pleaded in vain before the battle "Why don't we talk this over before we crack each other's skulls?" In Quechua, "Ayacucho" means "place of the dead"! Another glorious victory.

The Chilean Army still wears German-style uniforms and helmets. Not much of an improvement. What is the use of the Leopard II tanks?

Ronald Hilton - 9/25/00


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