Campo Vía pocket

The battle of the Campo Vía pocket was a decisive engagement of the Chaco War between Paraguay and Bolivia which took place in December 1933. It was one of the most prominent battles of the Chaco War. Lt Col José Félix Estigarribia, with a massive force of several divisions of the Paraguayan Army, was able to surround two Bolivian divisions around the outpost of Alihuatá. The encircled troops were forced to capitulate due to lack of supplies on 11 December. Up to 2,000 Bolivian soldiers were killed and 7,000 captured. Barely 900 Bolivian troops escaped, led by Colonel Germán Bush. Subsequently, the Paraguayan troops expelled the Bolivian army from the eastern region of Chaco by the end of 1933, forcing the resignation of German General Hans Kundt from the Bolivian High Command.

Campo Vía pocket
Part of the Chaco War
Date November – December 1933 Location Gran Chaco 23.2607456°S 59.9409771°W / -23.2607456; -59.9409771 Result Paraguayan victory
Belligerents
Bolivia	Paraguay
Commanders and leaders
Hans Kundt Carlos Banzer (Commander of the 9 Division) Gonzales Quint (Commander of the 4° División)	José Félix Estigarribia Rafael Franco
Strength
9,000 troops	17,000 troops
Casualties and losses
~8,100 killed or captured	Unknown
Location within Paraguay Show map of Paraguay Campo Vía pocket (South America) Show map of South America Campo Vía pocket (America) Show map of America