Andinean skiers from the army mountain troops, marching in the city with snow camo. This photo is from 1950 showing a parade celebrating August 17, the Day of San Martin. Photo publication from the time.
T16 - 9 July 1951. Armored Vehicles of The Argentine Army by Dr Georg V. Rauch
Argentine Mountain Troops
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To get to the origins of the Argentine mountain troops , we must return to the South American wars for independence. More precisely, to the group of Chasseurs of the Andes founded by General San Martin for possibly the largest military operation and logistical maneuvering on the South American continent. An entire army crossed the Andes mountains in the style Napoleon at Saint Bernard (Alps), hence the name "Army of the Andes". Specifically, this body of "Hunters of the Andes" (Chasseurs of the Andes) was wearing a uniform inspired in part by the British Light Companies of the Napoleonic Wars. In the early 1940s the Argentine Army began in earnest to modernize and update the doctrine of the mountain.
During the 20th century, mountaineering and combat tactics were in full swing, mainly due to operations in the heights tested by the Alpini and Gebirgsjager in WWI and large logistic operations for the transfer of modern armies. Mountaineering became an elite specialty like paratrooping in later WWII operations.
Argentina, a country with a long Andean stretch, decides to send officers and military attaches to mountain countries like Italy and Germany whose geography determines a way of life at high altitude. They received technical training and logistics development in the field of mountaineering, Military and sport ski skills were also learned after having been in the field during the Great War.
During the 20th century, mountaineering and combat tactics were in full swing, mainly due to operations in the heights tested by the Alpini and Gebirgsjager in WWI and large logistic operations for the transfer of modern armies. Mountaineering became an elite specialty like paratrooping in later WWII operations.
Master Skier. Skiers NCO's and troops. Profesor of Sky. Sky Instructor.
Model 44 Uniform (R.R.M.44), Argentine skier with snow camo. Painting by Argentine artist Marenco . Right: Mountain troops officer with model 46 uniform in earthy brown color.
Important figures in Argentine history were sent on these educational trips such as Edelmiro Farrell, who was stationed as a staff officer at the Alpine military school Aosta and who later in Argentina created mountain troops on the basis of infantry regiments, and none less than General Juan Peron who was sent along with other Argentine military commanders to Merano Tridentine Alpina Division for military exercises in schools and ski mountaineering and other Italian military units in other regions of the Alps. On his return to Argentina he was sent to the center for mountains instruction in Mendoza.
In 1942 and 1943, Peron wrote some articles for the Military Review about life on the mountain for an officer. "The terrain, the soldier, the fighting patterns, the climate and untamed nature of the mountains; everything seems to speal to us in a different language. The mountain is an atmosphere of surprise and the unexpected; in it, everything superfluous or apparent disappears and the most complete leader imposes himself. There one must be, more than seem. It is the true command school."
In 1942 and 1943, Peron wrote some articles for the Military Review about life on the mountain for an officer. "The terrain, the soldier, the fighting patterns, the climate and untamed nature of the mountains; everything seems to speal to us in a different language. The mountain is an atmosphere of surprise and the unexpected; in it, everything superfluous or apparent disappears and the most complete leader imposes himself. There one must be, more than seem. It is the true command school."
In another passage Peron writes, "The art of command is intuitive but it is perfected by exercising it. The mountain has needs that go beyond normal commands. Love the soldier and the comrade to be loved by them in return; know their needs and share their hardships, their fatigue, their sacrifices; win their esteem and their confidence with your example."
Of the mountain soldier Peron write, "They must simultaneously combat with three enemies: the terrain, climate and their opponents, their missions are always the most difficult, its the most complicated tactical problems, its material means less potent and its action is fought over the initiative and genius command of all kinds to fulfill orders or rules of conduct ..."
Resources: Tomas Eloy Martinez (Peron's novel)
The Armies of Bolivar and San Martin The (Terry Hooker & Ron Poulter.
The military in Argentina's history of Julio Mario Luqui-Lagleyze.
Guia de uniformes militares: Comandantes y jefes argentinos del ejercito 1865-1945
Los Alpes y los Andes en la Carrera Militar by General Peron
Guia de uniformes militares: Comandantes y jefes argentinos del ejercito 1865-1945
Los Alpes y los Andes en la Carrera Militar by General Peron
Italian Alpini during excercises (Pre-WWII).
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Below is a photo from 1901 which shows a uniform of the Chasseurs of the Andes. The uniform is a copy of the Italian Alpini from the same time period. Photo from the book Los cuerpos militares en la Historia Argentina 1550-1950 by Julio Mario Luqui-Lagleyze
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 Lieutenant Colonel Juan Peron in the center for mountain instruction in Mendoza upon his return from the Italian Alps. He is dressed in a dark khaki colored open jacket and an earthy brown cap, specialty uniform for the mountain troops.
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Lieutenant Colonel Juan Peron in the center for mountain instruction in Mendoza.
Caras y Caretas 1937.
5th Mountain Detachment, (Covunco Centro Neuquen) 1955.
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1909 Cavalry Carbine (?)
Mountain Artillery
Schneider 75 m L.18,6 Mod. 1928. (Many thanks to Georg Rauch for sharing his knowledge with us).
75mm L13 M1896 (Krupp).
75mm L13 M1898 (Krupp).
75mm L18,6 M1928 (Schneider).
Left: Schneider, 75mm 7.5cm mountain howitzer. Right: 105mm 10.5cm Schneider L18 M1928.
Mule
Mule
This sterile hybrid obtained by crossing a donkey and a mare combines the advantages of both species. From his mother inherits the size and strength from his father the structure of the legs and adaptability to the most harsh conditions. Combining the efforts of the mule in the fight of the Alpine cliffs and glaciers is a must as the leading role played by this animal on the mountain trails. It 'true that all the armies of Europeans were interested in the beast at least since 1700. Also used for towing, flat pieces of artillery shots in 4 or 8, the mule was, however, its value in the mountains. He could carry a load of 150 kg on narrow paths and steep, taking a step which differed little from that of humans.
Do not forget that the street "mule" was created in 1915 to bring weapons and supplies were in part based on these official instructions, "must have slope varies from 18 to 8%; exceptionally can reach the 30% rule, but not in place. The width varies from 1 to 2 meters, but in some places may also be of 0.80 m ". Amazing animals, the mules, which paths wide enough for just 80 cm! Thanks to them, the climbers wore the tops of their precious mountain howitzers of small to medium size, from 65 to 75 mm. Each piece was dismantled and transported on three or four mules.
This sterile hybrid obtained by crossing a donkey and a mare combines the advantages of both species. From his mother inherits the size and strength from his father the structure of the legs and adaptability to the most harsh conditions. Combining the efforts of the mule in the fight of the Alpine cliffs and glaciers is a must as the leading role played by this animal on the mountain trails. It 'true that all the armies of Europeans were interested in the beast at least since 1700. Also used for towing, flat pieces of artillery shots in 4 or 8, the mule was, however, its value in the mountains. He could carry a load of 150 kg on narrow paths and steep, taking a step which differed little from that of humans.
Do not forget that the street "mule" was created in 1915 to bring weapons and supplies were in part based on these official instructions, "must have slope varies from 18 to 8%; exceptionally can reach the 30% rule, but not in place. The width varies from 1 to 2 meters, but in some places may also be of 0.80 m ". Amazing animals, the mules, which paths wide enough for just 80 cm! Thanks to them, the climbers wore the tops of their precious mountain howitzers of small to medium size, from 65 to 75 mm. Each piece was dismantled and transported on three or four mules.
"Baqueano", Regional Mountain Explorer. Painting by Argentine artist Marenco.
Collectibles equipment and militaria items
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Argentine version of the feldmutze M43 in earthy color. The cap has Argentine ski glasses and an unknown condor badge. The Argentine Andinian soldiers also used glass snow goggles in blue and orange. For those interested in Argentine mountain troop reenactments from the 1940s, it is easy to get replicas of the feldmutze M43. Binnerbini Collection.
Well done replica that restored the damaged cannon wheels for an 75mm mountain artillery for display or mountain troop re-enactments. Designed to be easily disassembled for transport by pack animals. The mountain troops disarmed the cannon pieces and transported them along with the ammo with at least 6 donkeys through the mountains. This type of medium wheels were placed on each side of the mule which was guided by the acemilero (muleteer).
The footwear of the Argentine mountain troops is not very different from other mountain troops of the era. It was basically a short waterproof combat boot in black with a three-layered sole that had hobnails, edge cleats and toeplates. It is difficult to find original boots from the era but there are easy substitutions. In this case the brown or black Swiss Alpine mountain boots can be substituted for the Andinian style due to their easy availability.
Andinean Mountin Troops photo group from 1950s. Note the M43 type hat.
Andine Troops pictures
Colt-Browning M1917
Argentinean mountain troops carefully cross the Castano Overo Glacier on Mount Tronador (11,800 feet). They are roped together, moving cautiously in single file, in case one of them falls into a snow-covered crevasse. At such altitudes, artillery remains the around-the-clock fire support system because of aircraft limitations.
http://fmso.leavenworth.army.mil/documents/groundcombat/groundcombat.htm
http://fmso.leavenworth.army.mil/documents/groundcombat/groundcombat.htm
1938. Links Expedition.
Plaza de las Mulas 4.235 mts. Right: Glaciales del Sud. 5000 mts.
Cerro Catedral (Aconcagua). 5.800 mts. Right 6.150 mts. Photos: Argentine NCO Magazine "revista del suboficial"
Caras y Caretas 1937.
Caras y Caretas Magazine, 1939.
Recommended links:
http://www.culturademontania.com.ar/Historia/HIS_federico-reichert.htm
http://montanismo.org/articulos.php?id_sec=4&id_art=2441
http://montanismo.org/articulos.php?id_sec=4&id_art=2441&num_page=6479
http://www.montanismo.org/articulos.php?id_sec=13&id_art=2446&id_ejemplar=316
http://montanismo.org/articulos.php?id_sec=4&id_art=2441
http://montanismo.org/articulos.php?id_sec=4&id_art=2441&num_page=6479
http://www.montanismo.org/articulos.php?id_sec=13&id_art=2446&id_ejemplar=316
http://montanismo.org/articulos.php?id_sec=12&id_art=1081http://www.cumbreaventuras.com.ar/aconcagua.html
Andean Mountain Troops, Reenactment Photos:
The following photos contain original items and replicas.
Photo: Time Magazine.
Bariloche 1982. Escuela Militar de Montaña Bariloche "Mountain Military School" during The Malvinas War.
Type Jigsaw/Puzzle Belgium Pattern Camouflage. Photo Source: Veteranos Continentales. More info: http://www.kamouflage.net/camouflage/00227.php
According to Camopedia: "In conjunction with the Graffa textile company, the CITEFA (Armed Forces Development Center) began work on a new camouflage pattern for issue to Argentine Army forces, based on the British DPM pattern. The resulting mimetizado selva (jungle pattern) was deemed effective, particularly in the mountainous northeastern region of Argentina, but proved too expensive to produce locally in the quantities needed. Nevertheless, small quantities of uniforms in this pattern were produced and distributed to Argentine mountain units": http://camopedia.org/index.php?title=Argentina
According to Camopedia: "In conjunction with the Graffa textile company, the CITEFA (Armed Forces Development Center) began work on a new camouflage pattern for issue to Argentine Army forces, based on the British DPM pattern. The resulting mimetizado selva (jungle pattern) was deemed effective, particularly in the mountainous northeastern region of Argentina, but proved too expensive to produce locally in the quantities needed. Nevertheless, small quantities of uniforms in this pattern were produced and distributed to Argentine mountain units": http://camopedia.org/index.php?title=Argentina
Brown Graffa Fatigue Uniform.
Recommended reading:
