Battle of Itapirú

The Battle of Itapirú took place during the Paraguayan War on April 17, 1866, after Brazil's capture of Purutué Bank a week earlier. The battle marked the beginning of the Triple Alliance's invasion of Paraguay.

Battle of Itapirú
Part of the Paraguayan War

The Battle of Itapirú, won by the Brazilians, under the command of Marshal Osório
DateApril 17, 1866
Location
Laguna Sirena, Passo da Patria, Paraguay
Result Brazilian victory
Belligerents
Commanders and leaders
Empire of Brazil Manuel Luís Osório Paraguay Col. Basílio Benitez
Strength
10,000 soldiers 4,000 soldiers
Casualties and losses
337 casualties 500 casualties

The Battle

On April 16, the Itapirú fort was heavily bombed by the Imperial Navy while 10,000 troops from the Imperial Army crossed the Paraná River, and the next day, the confrontation with 4,000 Paraguayans took place under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Benítez, resulting in their withdrawal to Itapirú. The battle resulted in about 500 casualties on the Paraguayan side and 337 on the Brazilian side.

Faced with the concentration of Brazilian troops that began the invasion of Paraguayan territory, Francisco Solano López ordered the fortification abandoned, allowing Brazilian troops to occupy it on April 18.[1]

References
  1. Donato, Hernâni (1996). Dicionário das batalhas brasileiras [Dictionary of Brazilian Battles] (2a. rev., ampliada e atualizada ed.). São Paulo: Instituição Brasileira de Difusão Cultural. ISBN 85-348-0034-0. OCLC 36768251.

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