The Argentine Criollo horse is a breed forged by four centuries of natural selection in the harsh environments of the South American Pampas.
The breed descends from a shipment of 100 Spanish horses (primarily Andalusian, Barb, and Sorraia bloodlines) brought to Buenos Aires in 1535 by conquistador Pedro de Mendoza.
When the Spanish briefly abandoned Buenos Aires in 1540, approximately 45 horses were left behind. By the time settlers returned in 1580, these few animals had multiplied into a wild population of thousands.
Surviving extreme temperatures, droughts, and poor grazing without human care, the horses evolved into an exceptionally hardy, long-lived breed with a unique low basal metabolism that grants them legendary endurance.
Mixture
In the 19th century, the pure Criollo faced a crisis due to indiscriminate crossbreeding.
To create taller or faster horses for war and sport, ranchers crossed native Criollos with English Thoroughbreds, French Percherons, and various coach and draft horses.
While these mixtures produced specialized animals like the famous Argentine Polo Pony (Criollo x Thoroughbred) they nearly erased the original "Spanish type" and its natural resilience.
Threat of Extinction and Recovery
By the early 20th century, the purebred Criollo was threatened with extinction in its original form.
Dr. Emilio Solanet spearheaded a recovery mission. He discovered a group of 200 purebred horses kept in isolation by indigenous groups in the remote lands of Chubut, Patagonia.Solanet purchased these horses as the foundation for his breeding program at his estancia, "El Cardal." He established the breed registry in 1918 and set the official standard to safeguard the original traits.
Gato and Mancha
To prove the breed's recovered mettle, two of Solanet's Criollos, Gato and Mancha, completed a legendary 21,500 km trek from Buenos Aires to New York (1925–1928), surviving through their 30s and cementing the breed's global reputation for stamina.
Homage to the Criollo horses sacrificed in the name of the Homeland.
Most modern depictions of 19th-century South American battles like the Crossing of the Andes, 19th "Gaucho War" (Even in monuments), show tall, elegant, "sport-type" horses that simply didn't exist there at the time.
Many 19th-century artists were trained in European academies where the "heroic" horse was a tall Arabian or a Thoroughbred. They painted what they thought looked majestic, rather than the reality of the pampas.
Even today, people forget that the Criollo of the 1800s was a rugged, compact survivalist. The horse that actually carried San Martín and the Gauchos looked very different from the ones in the paintings:
They were short*, usually between 1.40 and 1.50 meters (13.3 to 14.3 hands). A tall European horse would have starved or broken a leg in the Andean passes. They had "cow sense," a deep chest for lung capacity at high altitudes, and extremely hard hooves that often didn't even need shoes. You wouldn't see a uniform line of perfectly groomed bays. You’d see gateados (dun), lobunos (grullo), and moraos, colors that provided natural camouflage*.
*The people were shorter, too. When we look at history, we have to scale both the human and the horse to understand why they fit together so well. In the 19th century, the average height for men in Argentina and Spain was approximately 1.62 to 1.67 meters (5'4" to 5'6").
*In horse terminology, a Moro (On the imagen above) is a horse with a black or dark base and white hairs mixed in (blue roan), giving it a bluish-grey appearance. This color is highly prized in Criollo culture for its beauty and perceived strength.
Ironically, the very "Anglo" horses you see in the paintings are the ones that nearly wiped out the Criollo. In the late 1800s, it became fashionable to crossbreed the native Criollo with Percherons and Thoroughbreds to make them bigger. By the early 1900s, the pure "war horse" was almost extinct until Emilio Solanet began his mission to recover the original phenotype.
The 1925 trek of Gato and Mancha (two Criollos who walked from Buenos Aires to New York) was the ultimate proof that the "small" horse was superior to any European breed in terms of endurance.
The horses left by the Spaniards in 1540 were not "modern" Andalusians. They were Iberian horses of the 16th century, which already carried a heavy influence of Barb (from North Africa) and Arabian blood due to the centuries of Moorish presence in Spain.
When these horses were abandoned, they became a biological "time capsule". For over 300 years, they were shaped only by natural selection on the Pampas. They became smaller, hardier, and developed a "survival phenotype". They preserved the raw, rustic genetics of the 1500s because they were never "improved" by human fashion.
Meanwhile, back in Spain, the horses that stayed behind were subjected to centuries of selective breeding for the royal courts and academies. Breeders introduced other European bloodlines like Neapolitan, Frisian, and Danish to make them taller, more elegant, and more "Baroque" for dressage and display.
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The Criollo is essentially the "original" Spanish war horse as it would have looked before the 17th and 18th-century trends changed the breed in Europe. This is why genetic studies often show that the Criollo is actually more similar to the 16th-century Spanish horse than the modern Pura Raza Española is.
The breed descends from a shipment of 100 Spanish horses (primarily Andalusian, Barb, and Sorraia bloodlines) brought to Buenos Aires in 1535 by conquistador Pedro de Mendoza.
When the Spanish briefly abandoned Buenos Aires in 1540, approximately 45 horses were left behind. By the time settlers returned in 1580, these few animals had multiplied into a wild population of thousands.
Surviving extreme temperatures, droughts, and poor grazing without human care, the horses evolved into an exceptionally hardy, long-lived breed with a unique low basal metabolism that grants them legendary endurance.
Mixture
In the 19th century, the pure Criollo faced a crisis due to indiscriminate crossbreeding.
To create taller or faster horses for war and sport, ranchers crossed native Criollos with English Thoroughbreds, French Percherons, and various coach and draft horses.
While these mixtures produced specialized animals like the famous Argentine Polo Pony (Criollo x Thoroughbred) they nearly erased the original "Spanish type" and its natural resilience.
Threat of Extinction and Recovery
By the early 20th century, the purebred Criollo was threatened with extinction in its original form.
Dr. Emilio Solanet spearheaded a recovery mission. He discovered a group of 200 purebred horses kept in isolation by indigenous groups in the remote lands of Chubut, Patagonia.Solanet purchased these horses as the foundation for his breeding program at his estancia, "El Cardal." He established the breed registry in 1918 and set the official standard to safeguard the original traits.
Gato and Mancha
To prove the breed's recovered mettle, two of Solanet's Criollos, Gato and Mancha, completed a legendary 21,500 km trek from Buenos Aires to New York (1925–1928), surviving through their 30s and cementing the breed's global reputation for stamina.
Homage to the Criollo horses sacrificed in the name of the Homeland.
Most modern depictions of 19th-century South American battles like the Crossing of the Andes, 19th "Gaucho War" (Even in monuments), show tall, elegant, "sport-type" horses that simply didn't exist there at the time.
Many 19th-century artists were trained in European academies where the "heroic" horse was a tall Arabian or a Thoroughbred. They painted what they thought looked majestic, rather than the reality of the pampas.
Even today, people forget that the Criollo of the 1800s was a rugged, compact survivalist. The horse that actually carried San Martín and the Gauchos looked very different from the ones in the paintings:
They were short*, usually between 1.40 and 1.50 meters (13.3 to 14.3 hands). A tall European horse would have starved or broken a leg in the Andean passes. They had "cow sense," a deep chest for lung capacity at high altitudes, and extremely hard hooves that often didn't even need shoes. You wouldn't see a uniform line of perfectly groomed bays. You’d see gateados (dun), lobunos (grullo), and moraos, colors that provided natural camouflage*.
*The people were shorter, too. When we look at history, we have to scale both the human and the horse to understand why they fit together so well. In the 19th century, the average height for men in Argentina and Spain was approximately 1.62 to 1.67 meters (5'4" to 5'6").
*In horse terminology, a Moro (On the imagen above) is a horse with a black or dark base and white hairs mixed in (blue roan), giving it a bluish-grey appearance. This color is highly prized in Criollo culture for its beauty and perceived strength.
Ironically, the very "Anglo" horses you see in the paintings are the ones that nearly wiped out the Criollo. In the late 1800s, it became fashionable to crossbreed the native Criollo with Percherons and Thoroughbreds to make them bigger. By the early 1900s, the pure "war horse" was almost extinct until Emilio Solanet began his mission to recover the original phenotype.
The 1925 trek of Gato and Mancha (two Criollos who walked from Buenos Aires to New York) was the ultimate proof that the "small" horse was superior to any European breed in terms of endurance.
The horses left by the Spaniards in 1540 were not "modern" Andalusians. They were Iberian horses of the 16th century, which already carried a heavy influence of Barb (from North Africa) and Arabian blood due to the centuries of Moorish presence in Spain.
When these horses were abandoned, they became a biological "time capsule". For over 300 years, they were shaped only by natural selection on the Pampas. They became smaller, hardier, and developed a "survival phenotype". They preserved the raw, rustic genetics of the 1500s because they were never "improved" by human fashion.
Meanwhile, back in Spain, the horses that stayed behind were subjected to centuries of selective breeding for the royal courts and academies. Breeders introduced other European bloodlines like Neapolitan, Frisian, and Danish to make them taller, more elegant, and more "Baroque" for dressage and display.
.
The Criollo is essentially the "original" Spanish war horse as it would have looked before the 17th and 18th-century trends changed the breed in Europe. This is why genetic studies often show that the Criollo is actually more similar to the 16th-century Spanish horse than the modern Pura Raza Española is.
Photograph of a young army officer with an army horse circa 1920s. Photo: Instituto Nacional Juan Domingo Peron.
After 1852, Argentina underwent a significant transformation in horse breeding, shifting from the hardy but small native
Criollo toward larger European and North American breeds to meet the modernization demands of the military and the growing agricultural industry.
The most influential imports during this period included:
Thoroughbreds: The first stallions arrived in 1853, followed by mares in 1865. These were used to increase the height and speed of local stock, eventually leading to the development of the Argentine Polo Pony.
Percherons: Imported in the late 1800s, these heavy draft horses were essential for the military's heavy artillery and transport needs.
Hanoverians and French Coach Breeds: These were imported specifically for military use, with records showing an Argentine Commission traveling in 1900 to select quality stock.
Arabians: Crossbreeding with Arabians was common to add stamina and refinement to the rugged native lines.
Army Records and the "Remonta"
The Argentine Army maintained meticulous records through the Dirección de Remonta y Veterinaria (established formally in the early 1900s). This department was responsible for breeding, purchasing, and "remounting" the cavalry.
Remonta Breeding: The army specialized in crossing native Criollo mares with Thoroughbred or European "warmblood" stallions to create a "Remount" horse that was taller and more elegant than the Criollo but retained its legendary endurance.
Stud Books: The Argentine Stud Book (founded in 1893) and the Rural Argentine Society (which registered the Criollo in 1922) provide historical records of the pedigree lines used by both civilians and the military.
After 1852, Argentina underwent a significant transformation in horse breeding, shifting from the hardy but small native
Criollo toward larger European and North American breeds to meet the modernization demands of the military and the growing agricultural industry.
The most influential imports during this period included:
Thoroughbreds: The first stallions arrived in 1853, followed by mares in 1865. These were used to increase the height and speed of local stock, eventually leading to the development of the Argentine Polo Pony.
Percherons: Imported in the late 1800s, these heavy draft horses were essential for the military's heavy artillery and transport needs.
Hanoverians and French Coach Breeds: These were imported specifically for military use, with records showing an Argentine Commission traveling in 1900 to select quality stock.
Arabians: Crossbreeding with Arabians was common to add stamina and refinement to the rugged native lines.
Army Records and the "Remonta"
The Argentine Army maintained meticulous records through the Dirección de Remonta y Veterinaria (established formally in the early 1900s). This department was responsible for breeding, purchasing, and "remounting" the cavalry.
Remonta Breeding: The army specialized in crossing native Criollo mares with Thoroughbred or European "warmblood" stallions to create a "Remount" horse that was taller and more elegant than the Criollo but retained its legendary endurance.
Stud Books: The Argentine Stud Book (founded in 1893) and the Rural Argentine Society (which registered the Criollo in 1922) provide historical records of the pedigree lines used by both civilians and the military.
Mancha was a Criollo horse, a breed celebrated for its exceptional strength and endurance.While the term Pinto refers to a broad category of coat patterns characterized by large patches of white and another color, Manchado (the pattern of Perón's horse, "Mancha") is an extremely rare and genetically unique spotting pattern found almost exclusively in Argentina
This specific horse was Perón's favorite and became an iconic symbol in Argentina, appearing on many stamps and calendars of that era. The image captures Perón during a military parade in San Martín Square on July 9, 1950, which had been declared the "Year of the Liberator" in honor of General José de San Martín.
A Note on the Name: It is a common point of confusion in Argentine history that there are two famous horses named Mancha, because one of the two Criollo horses (along with Gato) that completed a legendary 13,350-mile trek from Buenos Aires to New York between 1925 and 1928.
This specific horse was Perón's favorite and became an iconic symbol in Argentina, appearing on many stamps and calendars of that era. The image captures Perón during a military parade in San Martín Square on July 9, 1950, which had been declared the "Year of the Liberator" in honor of General José de San Martín.
A Note on the Name: It is a common point of confusion in Argentine history that there are two famous horses named Mancha, because one of the two Criollo horses (along with Gato) that completed a legendary 13,350-mile trek from Buenos Aires to New York between 1925 and 1928.
Two icons of the Argentine Caballeria. Colonel Hilario Lagos (1806 - 1860) and his son (1840 - 1895) of the same name and rank. Hilario Sr., fought in the War against the Empire of Brazil in 1828 and continued his exploits in endless battles and campaigns as Colonel of the Argentine Confederation until shortly after 1852. His son followed the military career in the National Army, and like his father, starred in several campaigns and Indian Wars.
 WWI German cavalry with M1917 leather gasmask and lance. Mask is precautionary for possible chemical warfare.
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It would be difficult to synthesize the history of the Argentine cavalry or its innumerable actions, its tactics as an almost entirely cavalry army until the mid-19th century, and its contributions to the country. Argentina itself has a great equestrian tradition with talented riders that have shown their bravery throughout history.
At the beginning of the 20th century the modern cavalry was formed based on European tactics brought back by military personnel who spent time training in the Old World. For example, in a complete fluke of Argentine history, Lieutenant Pedro Pablo Ramirez went to Germany for training with the Fifth Hussars cavalry in Kaiser Wilhelm's Prussian Army. He actually fought in WWI as a member of the Reichleer German Imperial Army returning to Argentina with an advanced rank as a specialist in cavalry tactics. Some time after the war, Ramirez briefly became president of Argentina.
Horseback Grenadiers circa 1900.
A squadron of the Argentine Cavalry awaiting orders to charge. All cavalry regiments carry lances, small Mauser 1891 carbines, and sabres. Observe the M1910 spike helmet.
Cuirassiers, Heavy Cavalry. Caras y Caretas 1937.
Towards the end of the 19th century, the appearance of the Gatling machine gun (capable of firing 200 shots per minute) along with the polygonal cannons and rifles, etc. marked a definitive before and after in modern warfare. This also saw the decline of the romantic cavalry charges that were seen during the Franco-Prussian War that had ended in so many authentic massacres.
From there the cavalry began to transform into armored units, although there were still some legendary cavalry charges in the world wars. Those charges may have been anachronic but were filled with the spirit of body and bravery like in an episode of 1942. Among the sunflowers in Isbucensky the Italian cavalry regiment of Savoy, armed only with sabres, overcame 2 Soviet battalions using machine guns.
Sources: World War I in Photographs by J.H.J Andriessen
Universal Military Service in Argentina by George Marvin.
Supplementary info found on Wikipedia
Sources: World War I in Photographs by J.H.J Andriessen
Universal Military Service in Argentina by George Marvin.
Supplementary info found on Wikipedia
4th and 8th Cavalry and Horse Grenadiers. Photo: 1903 "Caras y Caretas"
The Massacre at Morsbronn (August 6, 1870)
The Franco-Prussian War was truly a turning point in modern warfare. With newly perfected arms used by the infantry and the artillery, the cavalry charges began their decline. This was evident in the battle at Sadowa where the precision Prussian Dreyse rifles and grooved cannons defeated the Austrian troops.
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Despite the superiority of the French Chassepot rifles and the increasingly visible fire power of the artillery and infantry, the appearance of polygonal rifling, smokeless powder, precision rifles, Gaitling machine guns was ignored by the French high command.
They preferred to send their cuirassiers to their romantic death on horseback, dressed in armor and helmets without firearms into the curtain of smoke on the battlefields of Rezonville and Morsbronn where a great portion of the French cavalry was massacred |
During the Battle of Wörth (also called Reichshoffen), the French 9th Cuirassiers made a desperate charge to cover a retreat.
Roughly 700-1,200 heavy cavalrymen charged into the village of Morsbronn, where they became trapped in narrow streets.
Prussian infantry and snipers mowed them down at close range from windows and doorways.
The brigade was almost completely destroyed, with only a handful of survivors. This proved that even the most "magnificent" heavy cavalry could not break disciplined infantry armed with breech-loading rifles.
On some opportunities Prussian officers ordered a ceasefire due to their admiration for the French riders' sacrifice of launching themselves into certain death. The Prussians even offered military honors to them.
The comparison between the Franco-Prussian battles of 1870 and Waterloo (1815) highlights a tragic evolution in warfare: while the tactics remained Napoleonic, the technology had become deadly and modern.
Roughly 700-1,200 heavy cavalrymen charged into the village of Morsbronn, where they became trapped in narrow streets.
Prussian infantry and snipers mowed them down at close range from windows and doorways.
The brigade was almost completely destroyed, with only a handful of survivors. This proved that even the most "magnificent" heavy cavalry could not break disciplined infantry armed with breech-loading rifles.
On some opportunities Prussian officers ordered a ceasefire due to their admiration for the French riders' sacrifice of launching themselves into certain death. The Prussians even offered military honors to them.
The comparison between the Franco-Prussian battles of 1870 and Waterloo (1815) highlights a tragic evolution in warfare: while the tactics remained Napoleonic, the technology had become deadly and modern.
The battles of Morsbronn and Rezonville (1870) are often cited by military historians as the "death of the cavalry" because they proved that traditional massed horse charges could no longer survive against the devastating firepower of modern rifled weaponry and Krupp artillery.
These experiences were undoubtedly kept in mind when the Argentine high command had to equip the military with potent firearms from he era and teach the new land doctrines. Schneider (French) and Krupp (German) are the 2 industrial brand protagonists in Argentina's artillery at the end of the XIX and middle of the XX centuries.
These experiences were undoubtedly kept in mind when the Argentine high command had to equip the military with potent firearms from he era and teach the new land doctrines. Schneider (French) and Krupp (German) are the 2 industrial brand protagonists in Argentina's artillery at the end of the XIX and middle of the XX centuries.
Right: Carlos Luis Federico de Brandsen by Jean Philippe Goulu. Center: 7th Cavalry Regiment, (1826). Left: Horse Granadier (1812-17), by Guillermo Roux.
Right: 16th Lancer Regiment, (1825-28). Center; Cuirassier Heavy Cavalry circa 1910. Right: Corporal of the 8th Cavalry. E. Marenco.
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The Regiment of Mounted Grenadiers (Regimiento de Granaderos a Caballo "General San Martín") was recreated on May 29, 1903, after a period of 77 years of inactivity. The decree for its restoration was signed by President Julio Argentino Roca, based on a draft prepared by General Pablo Richieri. The recreation sought to honor the heritage of the original regiment founded by José de San Martín in 1812, which had disbanded in 1826 after the Wars of Independence.
Krupp 75mm L30 Gun and Limber. This one was sold on Gunsinternationalcom:
www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/cannons---antique-and-replica/krupp-1909-artillery-cannon-and-original-horse-drawn-limber.cfm?gun_id=101101142
www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/cannons---antique-and-replica/krupp-1909-artillery-cannon-and-original-horse-drawn-limber.cfm?gun_id=101101142
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The limber chest (box) was divided into compartments and generally held 34 rounds of fixed 75mm ammunition and extras in baskets or cases. The gun and limber together had a total weight in marching order of approximately 1,600 kg (3,527 lb), typically drawn by six horses.
.It included the chest, the axle with two wheels (wooden with steel tires), a pole for the horses, and a knapsack rack with a grid for carrying equipment. In battle, the limber would be unhooked and placed beside the gun, allowing the ammunition to be handed directly from the limber chest to the loader.
.It included the chest, the axle with two wheels (wooden with steel tires), a pole for the horses, and a knapsack rack with a grid for carrying equipment. In battle, the limber would be unhooked and placed beside the gun, allowing the ammunition to be handed directly from the limber chest to the loader.
Complete and outstanding condition.
The limber for the Krupp 75mm L/30 M1909 field gun was a two-wheeled wagon attachment that served as the crew seating platform, an ammunition carrier, and a crucial component for horse-drawn transport. The photo on the left is from LIFE magazine 1937.
Photo 1916.
Argentine Cavalry Sword model 1898 (Troops).
CAVALRY & HORSE EQUIPMENT
Cavalry Leather Gaiters.
1940s, Argentine Cavalry Horse Collar Halter Head Harness.
Antique Rossi Caruso & Co Argentina Officers Military Field Saddle
Lance model 1895 made by Weyersberg Kirschbaum Solingen.
Center of gravity line between horse and rider.
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Caras y Caretas 1935.
Caras y Caretas 1930s.
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Caras y Caretas 1916.
Officer and Troop Horses.
Argentinian Cavalry. WWI Era. Caras y Caretas.
1945 ammo vest.
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1931. Horse Granadiers. Caras y Caretas Magazine.
11th Cavalry Regiment (1946)
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13th Cavalry Regiment - Toay - La Pampa 1949.
1900s Rio 4to and Puerto Borghi Arsenals:
Drag Hunting - 9th Cavalry Regiment. Photos "1903 Caras y Caretas":
Carriages and Wagons
Military Ambulance-Wagon. Circa 1914.
Artillery replacement wagon. Diseign by Vicente Malagamba. Caras y Caretas Magazine. 1913.
Medic Wagon.
Sanitary wagon.
Left: Regimental Wagon M1915. Right: Ponton Wagon.
Survivor Regimental M15 type wagon from the Patricios of Obligado Battalion Reenactment Group. Note the M1910 Water Canteen on the side. Many thanks to Oscar Turone for sharing this important image with us.
1916. Field Kitchen Wagon type WWI Imperial German 'Gulaschkanone' . Engineer Corp.
Karl Rudolf Fissler of Idar-Oberstein invented a mobile field kitchen in 1892 that the Germans came to refer to as a Gulaschkanone (Goulash Cannons) because the chimney of the stove resembled ordnance pieces when disassembled and limbered for towing. Wikipedia.
Karl Rudolf Fissler of Idar-Oberstein invented a mobile field kitchen in 1892 that the Germans came to refer to as a Gulaschkanone (Goulash Cannons) because the chimney of the stove resembled ordnance pieces when disassembled and limbered for towing. Wikipedia.
Frigorific Wagon
Frigorific truck and trailer.
1900s Water tank Wagon. Photo: "Soldados 1848 - 1827".
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6Th infantry. Mercedes (1939)
DGFM Field Kitchen
Logistic wagon from the 4th Sapeur Enginner Battalion.
6th Infantry. 1946. Ammunition wagon.
6th Regiment Infantry of Mercedes (1939)
Artillery 1945.
Stagecoach - diligencia.
Villalonga Wagons.
Cavalry Prints
"Soldado de Monte" (Mount Soldier-Chasseur), poster print by the Argentine artist Marenco.
Argentine Army Cavalry Ration Bag
Lancers
Interesting photo from Colin Webster's book "Argentine Mauser Rifles 1871-1959". The photo is from 1924.
Photo Life Magazine
lance point model 1892.
1962 "Blue" vs "Red" and the "Rebirth" of Cavalry.
The "rebirth" or transformation of the Argentine cavalry at that time was not a return to horses, but rather its transition to mechanized and armored means. The "Azules" faction, which included the powerful Cavalry Corps command, was pushing for a modern, professional, and technologically advanced army aligned with US Cold War doctrine*, which involved mechanization and air defense systems. At that time, horses were being replaced by mechanized means. The cavalry officers wanted to give their weapon a place within the modenization.
*Argentine military adapted its cavalry to a mechanized and armored model, while the United States adopted an air assault model for the role of cavalry.
The "Azules" were victorious in the armed clashes * of September 1962 and April 1963, which gave the faction's leaders, especially General Onganía, control over the direction of the armed forces. This victory confirmed the move towards a modern, mechanized force structure. The debate among the officers was about the future professional profile of the armed forces, not about whether to keep horses for battle. Therefore, the Argentine cavalry officers were advocating for a move away from traditional horse cavalry and towards a modern armored/mechanized force, in line with global military trends, within the political framework of the "Azules" faction.
They became strong proponents of transitioning the cavalry into a fully armored and mechanized force, equipped with tanks, armored personnel carriers, and motorized reconnaissance vehicles, emphasizing rapid deployment, mobile warfare, and professional autonomy from daily political squabbles.
Political Influence (Azules Faction): By aligning their branch with the victorious "Azules" faction, they secured top command positions, including the Army Chief of Staff (General Onganía was a cavalry officer), which allowed them to direct procurement and organizational changes that favored their vision of a modern, professional armored force.
In short, the Argentine cavalry officers successfully orchestrated a rebirth through reinvention, transforming the branch from a traditional mounted force into a critical component of the modern mechanized army.
The "rebirth" or transformation of the Argentine cavalry at that time was not a return to horses, but rather its transition to mechanized and armored means. The "Azules" faction, which included the powerful Cavalry Corps command, was pushing for a modern, professional, and technologically advanced army aligned with US Cold War doctrine*, which involved mechanization and air defense systems. At that time, horses were being replaced by mechanized means. The cavalry officers wanted to give their weapon a place within the modenization.
*Argentine military adapted its cavalry to a mechanized and armored model, while the United States adopted an air assault model for the role of cavalry.
The "Azules" were victorious in the armed clashes * of September 1962 and April 1963, which gave the faction's leaders, especially General Onganía, control over the direction of the armed forces. This victory confirmed the move towards a modern, mechanized force structure. The debate among the officers was about the future professional profile of the armed forces, not about whether to keep horses for battle. Therefore, the Argentine cavalry officers were advocating for a move away from traditional horse cavalry and towards a modern armored/mechanized force, in line with global military trends, within the political framework of the "Azules" faction.
They became strong proponents of transitioning the cavalry into a fully armored and mechanized force, equipped with tanks, armored personnel carriers, and motorized reconnaissance vehicles, emphasizing rapid deployment, mobile warfare, and professional autonomy from daily political squabbles.
Political Influence (Azules Faction): By aligning their branch with the victorious "Azules" faction, they secured top command positions, including the Army Chief of Staff (General Onganía was a cavalry officer), which allowed them to direct procurement and organizational changes that favored their vision of a modern, professional armored force.
In short, the Argentine cavalry officers successfully orchestrated a rebirth through reinvention, transforming the branch from a traditional mounted force into a critical component of the modern mechanized army.
General Eduardo Uriburu was a highly respected Argentine cavalry officer who was instrumental in the modernization and professionalization of the Argentine Army, particularly concerning the cavalry branch's transition to mechanized forces.
He was a central figure in the push within the cavalry branch to adopt armored vehicles and tanks, ensuring the arm remained relevant in 20th-century warfare, leading to the creation of the modern Argentine armored forces. His ideas contrasted with older, traditional views of horse cavalry.
While "El Plan Europa" is a publication, it likely encapsulates Uriburu's strategic vision, which involved looking to European powers (like Germany and France) for the latest military technology and doctrines to modernize the Argentine military, moving away from older British-influenced models and the increasingly dominant US Cold War doctrine.
A "Revisionist" Military Officer: He adopted or was sympathetic to the revisionist school of Argentine history, which began in the early-to-mid 20th century and sought to re-evaluate Rosas's legacy, emphasizing his defense of national interests against foreign powers (like Britain and France) and downplaying the domestic tyranny.
He was a central figure in the push within the cavalry branch to adopt armored vehicles and tanks, ensuring the arm remained relevant in 20th-century warfare, leading to the creation of the modern Argentine armored forces. His ideas contrasted with older, traditional views of horse cavalry.
While "El Plan Europa" is a publication, it likely encapsulates Uriburu's strategic vision, which involved looking to European powers (like Germany and France) for the latest military technology and doctrines to modernize the Argentine military, moving away from older British-influenced models and the increasingly dominant US Cold War doctrine.
A "Revisionist" Military Officer: He adopted or was sympathetic to the revisionist school of Argentine history, which began in the early-to-mid 20th century and sought to re-evaluate Rosas's legacy, emphasizing his defense of national interests against foreign powers (like Britain and France) and downplaying the domestic tyranny.
