In March 1950, a pulse jet was developed by Dr. Günther Dietrich for a flying bomb. The payload was 1000 kg, remotely guided as a ground-to-ground projectile, similar to the German V 1. The laboratories of the Special Projects Division worked with a mixture of ammonium nitrate, calcium nitrate and dinitrobenzene; It had an electric impact fuze, an omnidirectional mechanical impact fuze, and a clockwork-actuated delay fuze; The system was intercommunicated, so that one of the three fuzes always detonated. It developed 500 kg of thrust and lasted 45 s. The test bench was in charge of Rizo E. Catón. Simultaneously, Eng. Pelkas developed a stato-jet, and Dr. Günther Dietrich, together with the designer Guido Galán, developed a pulse jet with 80 kg of thrust (the dynamic test was carried out on an INSTITEC automobile chassis). Pulse jets with 14 (valve-operated) and 16 kg (Scopette type) thrust were built and tested, the former to power helicopter rotors, and the latter to be used in the self-propulsion of gliders.
Pulse jets (unidentified: in 1988 much of the historical documentation of the FMA that was in the Statistical Section disappeared).
A.I. P-4. Bench test of the first South American pulsejet.
Prototype jet car (INSTITEC chassis), used as a test bench for pulsejets. August 21, 1954.
Rebel forces take position in the vicinity of the old Cabildo where the Peronist forces resist (Photo: Jorge R. Schneider)
The Recommencement of Conflict
On the night of September 16, 1955, a red flare illuminated the sky as it soared from the Artillery School, splitting the darkness in two. On the eastern end of the military unit, Luis Ernesto Lonardi checked his watch, its hands pointing at 02:00 - the long-awaited signal.
Simultaneously, his father, General Eduardo Lonardi, stationed at his command post atop the water tank, picked up the field telephone and issued a stern command to open fire. Almost instantly, cannons thundered, releasing fiery flashes that cast an eerie light over the area. A hail of projectiles rained down on the Infantry School, causing the first damages to its buildings and the sprawling central plaza. A bomb severed the electricity cables, plunging the area into total darkness.
Colonel Brizuela, the commander of the targeted unit, ordered his troops to evacuate the buildings, relocating them to the stables located at the rear, as far away from the attack zone as possible. However, the initial moments had already claimed several casualties, including a corporal who tragically lost his life at a guard post, along with several soldiers in the Company of Aspirants.
Horses, in a panic, broke through the fences and scattered across the field, adding to the chaos among the combatants. Tracer bullets crisscrossed the area, and the impacts sent shrapnel in all directions.
Second Lieutenant Enrique Baltar, manning a heavy machine gun in the Company of Aspirants, was the first to respond to the aggression.
While there was initial disorder among the infantry troops as they evacuated the barracks, they eventually regrouped in an orderly fashion and aimed their artillery at the rebel forces from the stables, opening fire.
At the Airborne Troops School, paratroopers manned their artillery pieces when the first enemy volleys struck.
Captain Mario Arruabarrena, the school's commander, issued orders from a trench where he took cover with First Lieutenant Julio Fernández Torres, Lieutenant Alfredo Viola Dellepiane, and two soldiers.
Amidst the chaos of combat, Arruabarrena instructed Fernández Torres to sprint to the main building's telephone and establish contact with the Infantry School to convey their commander's willingness to surrender. What happened next, Fernández Torres attributed to providence.
Following the directive, he rose to his feet and dashed towards the Officers' Casino. Almost simultaneously, an explosion behind him violently threw him to the ground. Turning around, he witnessed a bomb crater in the trench, emitting flames and thick smoke.
Amidst the deafening sounds of explosions and gunfire, Fernández Torres returned to his position to aid his comrades, but to his dismay, only one soldier remained alive. This soldier, gravely wounded, succumbed to his injuries while being evacuated to the infirmary.
A damaged car's horn blared insistently as Fernández Torres grappled with the task assigned to him by his late superior. Upon reaching the scene, he realized that the device and the building surrounding it had been destroyed. [1]
While Major Quijano's artillery relentlessly pounded the loyalist positions, Captain Molina, under Lonardi's orders, proceeded to the Aviation School. His mission was to assess the situation from that vantage point and relay this information to his superiors, providing assurance that the rebels had control. Upon receiving this news, the high command promptly mobilized a section of candidates to provide reinforcement.
Still in the dead of night, a bomb struck the stables, claiming the lives of six soldiers and around fifty horses. Facing the officers' casino, First Lieutenant Anselmo Matteoda responded ceaselessly to the attack, unleashing fire from his four 7.5 mm Bofors artillery pieces.
Despite the relentless cannonade aimed at the Infantry School, its strength remained unwavering. Once regrouped, the 2,000-strong garrison initiated an advance. Led by Colonel Brizuela, they undertook a maneuver with the aim of encircling the enemy school and cutting it off from other units, executing a pincer movement.
The infantry commenced their march toward La Calera, showcasing their high level of training. In the dead of night, they advanced along the route, carrying mortars and heavy machine guns. This maneuver, however, temporarily weakened their defenses, a vulnerability that Captain Juan José Claisse exploited by launching a frontal attack on the head of his section.
Claisse charged forward, strafing enemy positions with the intent of seizing the advantage offered by the facilities, a bold move that could have potentially decided the outcome of the battle. However, a last-minute communication reached him, revealing that the Artillery School was under attack at that very moment.
After taking several prisoners and loading weapons, ammunition and a pair of Krupp cannons, the determined officer began his return, taking the captured troops with him. Seeing him coming, Captain Luis Ernesto Lonardi came forward to offer his collaboration and was on the verge of losing his life when, in the heat of combat, Claisse's people were about to open fire, believing him to be an enemy.
-Watchword!! – She shouted at him.
-God is fair!! – was the response.
The fighting continued with incredible violence throughout the night and with the first light of day, the situation slowly began to tilt in favor of the loyal forces.
The Infantry had approached at “rifle fire” and attacked from different angles with intense fire from mortars and heavy machine guns, putting pressure on the rebels who, lacking enough troops, only had the servants of the pieces to fight. For this reason, Captain Molina requested from the Military Aviation School to send combat planes to carry out intimidating flights over the loyal forces. Commodore Krausse rushed to carry out the order but due to lack of time, he dispatched the devices without weapons.
From their observation post, atop the water tank of the Artillery School, General Lonardi and Colonel Ossorio Arana were observing the development of the battle with their binoculars when they received reports that Colonel Brizuela was demanding surrender. Lonardi was definitive when responding.
-Tell him that we will stop fighting when there is not a single man left to defend the School!
Confronted with this stance, the loyalist forces escalated their offensives and applied pressure from various directions.
During this period, a 155mm cannon, under the command of Lieutenant Jorge Albertelli, continued to fire from the landing strip in an effort to support the section led by First Lieutenant Matteoda. His unit was constantly under fire from 12.7mm anti-aircraft and anti-tank machine guns, which were piercing the armor of many of their vehicles.
It was precisely at this juncture that Second Lieutenant Fausto González's infantry section launched a determined assault. This aggressive move occurred shortly after Lieutenant Colonel Pedro Esteban Cerrutti, in response to a radio request, ordered the neutralization of the battery firing from the officers' quarters.
González executed a clever flanking maneuver, attacking from the rear. The infantrymen launched a barrage of fire at the position, forcing the artillery crew to abandon their pieces and seek refuge in nearby trenches.
González assumed control of the area, but within half an hour, his position came under fire from the Airborne Troops School. In response, he ordered a change of position, seeking cover behind the six heavy machine guns of Captain Claisse's section. His men went prone and maintained a continuous barrage of fire.
Simultaneously, loyalist units executed enveloping maneuvers with great precision, converging on the main building of the Artillery School. They swiftly seized control of it, ousting the rebel troops. Nevertheless, the rebel forces attempted to reclaim the position, resulting in intense clashes. Infantry units, from various vantage points, unleashed a relentless barrage of fire upon the revolutionary positions, significantly compromising their position.
Facing attacks from the rear, Matteoda instructed his troops to take cover and they remained in that defensive posture, awaiting a brief respite to reposition their artillery.
The Artillery School appeared to be on the brink of defeat, being assailed from behind and unable to rotate their artillery batteries. General Lonardi himself recognized the dire situation when he conveyed his concerns to his friend.
-Well Ossorio, it seems we lost. But we are not going to give up. We are going to die fighting.
General Lonardi was an extremely brave man so his second understood that his words were not in vain. A professional soldier, a Catholic nationalist by conviction and a man of honor, he was determined to fulfill that premise rather than capitulate. That was the moment when the brave officer Matteoda saw that it was possible to turn one of his cannons and ordered it, losing one of his men in the attempt.
-Not a single one move!!! – He shouted when he saw that some soldiers were moving to rescue his companion.
He knew that the enemy shrapnel would sweep them mercilessly and he was not going to allow, under any circumstances, that to happen. It was then that the fire seemed to subside, a fact that allowed the rest of the batteries to turn and point their muzzles towards the enemy's new positions. During the maneuver another soldier was wounded, although slightly. Meanwhile, the attack by the Peronist forces continued with more force than ever. Shortly after Percival, Fiat and Gloster Meteor planes flew over the combat zone with the purpose of intimidating the Infantry, Colonel Brizuela ordered the simultaneous attack of two companies. The sections began their advance at 10:45 but were stopped by violent gunshots from a 75 mm gun. Lacking adequate troops for hand-to-hand combat, the artillery troops unloaded their entire arsenal, urgent as they were to contain the enemy advance, an objective they achieved with great difficulty.
Both forces were engaged in this when the fire of the loyal forces began to decrease, completely silencing around 11:00. That surprised the rebels, who at that time were more weakened than ever and for that reason, lacking adequate troops to offer resistance, they remained motionless in their positions. After a short period of time, the rebel troops saw a jeep advance with two men, one of whom was carrying a white flag. The vehicle was carrying Lieutenant Colonel Jorge Ernesto Piñeiro, deputy director of the Infantry School, who stopped next to Lieutenant Augusto Alemanzor to ask about General Lonardi. He brought a message from Colonel Brizuela, requesting parliament, a news that was immediately transmitted to the revolutionary command. Lonardi accepted the dialogue and Piñeiro immediately left to notify his boss of the news. He returned in the same vehicle with Brizuela, stopping the march in the small square of the mast, located in front of the main building, where Lonardi himself and part of his high command were waiting. Upon getting off the vehicle, Brizuela received a greeting from the rebel leader who then invited him to take a seat on a bench in the plaza, under the clear sky. A few steps away, Piñeiro for the loyal forces and Ossorio Arana and Luis Ernesto Lonardi for the rebels, waited attentively for the development of events. The first thing Lonardi did was congratulate his opponent for the professionalism and ardor with which his troops had fought.
"Colonel, your men have shown great morale, courage, and esprit de corps and fighting spirit," he said. "You have earned the consideration and admiration of those of us who have been your adversaries." With all the pain I have been forced to open fire on his barracks. There was no other alternative and I have taken into account the supreme interests of the Nation. We are willing to die fighting if necessary.
-It hurts me deeply what has been done to my School - he responded. Brizuela – but despite the casualties, which have been high, we are willing to continue the fight because we do not see the true causes of this revolution.
Upon hearing that, Lonardi tried to explain those causes.
-I know you are acting like a true professional, but you are wrong, my colonel, deceived by the government's distorted version that has plunged our country into chaos, disorienting the Armed Forces in the process.
Lonardi continued to provide details of the true situation that the country was going through, especially the moral, political and institutional decadence that society was suffering because of Perón, the persecution of the Church and the division of the Armed Forces, to which his interlocutor He responded incredulously, saying that he was not aware of many of those things he was hearing.
-Please reflect, Colonel, and let's end this fight. His School has saved honor and the country needs us more united than ever.
Brizuela stopped to think for a few moments and then said:
-General, in honor of the lives of my men and with the hope that this whole matter is resolved in the best way for the good of the Republic, I end the fight.
Lonardi and Brizuela rose to their feet and shared an embrace, a heartfelt gesture that solidified their solemn pact of honor.
After nine hours of relentless combat, the battle involving the Infantry, Artillery, and Airborne Troops schools had drawn to a close, albeit at a significant cost in terms of lives and injuries. General Lonardi's candid words and the dwindling ammunition supplies had ultimately resolved the situation.
Ruiz Moreno elucidates that the impulsive revolutionary action had compelled the loyal forces to vacate their barracks without bringing along the necessary provisions for victory. This turn of events was viewed as truly providential since, at the very moment the Infantry requested a ceasefire, both the Artillery and paratroopers had practically depleted their ammunition.
Lonardi expressed his desire to retain Brizuela as the leader of the Infantry School, but Brizuela firmly declined the offer. Nevertheless, in a dignified and chivalrous gesture, the rebel troops were instructed to assemble in the expansive courtyard as a mark of respect for the loyal troops. Furthermore, their officers were granted permission to retain their weapons.
The Infantry proceeded to march in a martial fashion before the Artillery units and paratroopers, who observed the passage of the enemy forces with precise alignment. Once back in their barracks, the infantrymen relinquished their weapons and prepared to evacuate the deceased and wounded, fully aware that they would no longer participate in any further engagements and would maintain a neutral stance until the conflict's resolution. [2]
In the early hours of the day, General Dalmiro Videla Balaguer, along with support from revolutionary civilian leaders, established his headquarters at the private residence of the former judge from Río Cuarto, Dr. Tristán Castellano, located at Lavalleja 1479, Alta Córdoba, just beyond the Suquía River [3].
Armed civilians from various parts of the city began converging on this location, resolute in their determination to join the fight. General Videla Balaguer personally received them while donning his uniform, first administering the revolutionary oath, which bound them to fight until the very end.
Among the civilian leaders present on that day were Dr. Guillermo Saravia, engineer Domingo Telasco Castellanos, Dr. Tello, Miguel Ángel Yadarola, Enrique Finochietti, as well as young individuals such as Jorge Fernández Funes, Raúl Adolfo Picasso, Juan Bautista Picca, and Carlos Carabba.
General Videla Balaguer was surprised to find several priests ready to take part in the conflict. However, he promptly instructed them to withdraw, as he believed that the Church should not become involved in the matter. Following his orders, Dr. Saravia escorted the clergy away from the danger zone in his car. Simultaneously, Domingo Castellanos and a group of commandos headed to a corralón (warehouse) he owned on 500 Santa Rosa Street. Their objective was to secure supplies once General Lonardi had gained control of nearby military garrisons and seized the ESSO depots, ensuring a fuel supply for aviation.
The mentioned commandos had already departed when, at six in the morning, General Videla Balaguer impulsively decided to accelerate the unfolding events. According to Ruiz Moreno, he picked up the telephone and contacted the operator to establish communication with the military garrisons in San Luis.
-Miss, are you Catholic? – She asked the telephone operator
After receiving a positive acknowledgment, he introduced himself, providing an explanation that a revolution had erupted with the aim of toppling the oppressive regime. He emphasized the urgent necessity to establish communication with the military units in San Luis.
The operator became emotional and started to cry. In light of this, Videla Balaguer requested to speak with the operator's superior. As they were unable to facilitate this, he then dialed the Río Cuarto Infantry Regiment in an attempt to demand their immediate participation. However, the response he received was a firm and unequivocal refusal.
-"We are responding to orders from General Sosa Molina," someone on the other side of the line told him, and immediately hung up.
The situation repeated itself when he tried the same thing with the nearby Arsenal Holmberg and it was then that he understood that his situation was really compromised. Those calls only served to alert government listeners who, at 8:50 that morning, managed to identify the place from which they came. Not satisfied with that, the rebel general made a new attempt with the governor of the province of Córdoba, the brave Dr. Raúl F. Luchini, whom he ordered to surrender and hand himself over to the rebel authorities.
-Mr. Governor; General Videla Balaguer speaks The forces of the revolution are triumphing. I ask you to surrender within three hours; Otherwise, I hold you responsible for the consequences.
-Fucking petite!! -Luchini roared on the other end of the phone- when I catch you I will shoot you!!
-The insults are not enough for me. I have come out to defend national honor, Argentine traditions and the legal order. You defend auto bonds! I'm going to kill him!
Following their discussion, the governor of Cordoba promptly reached out to General Alberto Morello, and together, they formulated a plan to apprehend Videla Balaguer and his associates. Provincial police forces, along with a contingent of the Army, were dispatched to carry out this mission under the command of Captain Luciano Sachi, who was a member of the Information Service.
While this coordinated mobilization was underway, the rebel fighters, numbering approximately twenty, patiently awaited the unfolding of events. Nearly all of them were positioned on the upper floor of Dr. Castellano's residence. Police officers and soldiers quickly arrived, encircling the location and deploying troops on adjacent streets and nearby rooftops.
At the entrance door on the lower floor, student Miguel Ángel Yadarola stood guard. When a series of knocks echoed from outside, a stern voice ordered the rebels to surrender. However, receiving no response, the authorities eventually withdrew.
Shortly thereafter, a fierce firefight erupted.
Videla Balaguer took measures to secure the safety of the Castellano family, sheltering them in a room, while doing his best to protect his comrades. Most of them were directed upstairs to seek refuge. A bullet pierced the ceiling, striking Walter Allende in the spine, causing him to collapse to the floor, motionless. Horacio Maldonado attempted to crawl towards him with the intention of providing assistance, but there was little he could do.
At the rear of the house, medical student Eduardo Flaurent, armed with a large-caliber hunting rifle, spotted two individuals dressed in civilian attire attempting to enter from a neighboring house. He refrained from opening fire, which allowed other assailants to set up a ladder and machine-gun the building. Bullets narrowly missed Flaurent and Videla Balaguer, who was standing a short distance behind him, armed and ready. Flaurent's decision not to fire may have been due to a desire to strictly adhere to the order of not discharging his weapon until he had a clear and safe target, as ammunition was precious, or perhaps it was an expression of his inexperience. Regardless, his hesitation had the potential to disrupt the situation.
At this point in the battle, Walter Allende suffered severe injuries, and the house had sustained significant damage. The police executed a maneuver to encircle the house while gunfire raged on. In the midst of this chaos, Dr. José Vicente Ferreira Soaje, crawling, reached the telephone with the intent to call for assistance. To his astonishment, he discovered that the telephone line was still operational. Without delay, he contacted his friend, Dr. José Manuel Álvarez (h), and relayed the dire situation. Filled with desperation, he implored for help. After their conversation, Dr. Álvarez promptly contacted the Military Aviation School to request assistance.
Meanwhile, Governor Luchini established his base of operations in the historic Cordoba Cabildo, the provincial police headquarters. From there, he maintained constant communication with authorities in Buenos Aires, including General Lucero and the Ministry of the Interior. Under his orders, checkpoints were established at the city's entrances, and local police stations and agencies were placed on alert to intercept any reinforcements headed towards Videla Balaguer.
General Lucero communicated with Colonel Perkins, commander of the Santa Fe Division, and General Alberto Morello, commander of the Córdoba Garrison. He informed them that forces loyal to the command of General José María Epifanio Sosa Molina were mobilizing in support of Videla Balaguer. He directed Colonel Perkins to proceed to the Communications Battalion, which was the sole military unit stationed in the city at the time.
General Morello ordered the deployment of the 14th Infantry Regiment based in Río Cuarto. He equipped their officers with the weaponry from the Communications Battalion and summoned available troops from the Military High School to reinforce their ranks.
Meanwhile, in Parque Sarmiento, Brigadier Alberto Ferro Sassarego assembled additional troops and weapons, along with personnel from the Air Force and the Institute of Military Aeronautics. They placed themselves under the command of General Morello. Taking refuge under the park's dense foliage, they sought protection from potential aerial attacks.
As the loyalist forces gathered in Parque Sarmiento, General Morello decided to mobilize in support of the Infantry School. Leading a substantial column of vehicles, he set out towards Alta Gracia with the intention of entering the operational area via the Yocsina road. Meanwhile, Videla Balaguer and his commandos, encircled by loyal military and provincial police units, continued to resist to the best of their abilities.
Around 10:45, shortly after receiving the call from Dr. Álvarez (h), Commodore Julio Krausse made the decision to dispatch an armed contingent to aid the individuals besieged within Dr. Castellano's residence.
Captain Luis Martín Avalle received the order to assemble a battalion and break the siege that Videla Balaguer and his forces were facing. To accomplish this, he called upon the senior cadets from the 3rd year, supplementing them with some reserves from the 2nd year. Following this, he organized two military buses and swiftly made his way towards the city center to carry out the mission.
Upon arrival and without encountering any immediate obstacles, Avalle, two blocks away from their objective, issued a halt in the march. According to Isidoro Ruiz Moreno, no gunshots were heard as Avalle exited his vehicle. However, he spotted several police officers taking cover in nearby houses and on rooftops, some of them positioned at the corner of Bedoya and Lavalleja.
Without hesitation, Avalle directed the buses to a side street to avoid detection. Once outside, he divided his company of sixty men into two groups, instructing them to advance along the parallel paths of Lavalleja. The Air Force contingent initiated their march, encountering and peacefully subduing the police officers they encountered en route. However, when they reached the intersection of Bedoya and Lavalleja, they came under attack from a house and nearby rooftops, prompting them to halt their advance.
At that moment, one of the cadets attempting to cross the street was struck in the leg and tumbled to the ground, requiring rescue by his comrades while they came under fire from another direction.
This pause allowed Lieutenant Jorge Bravo Moyano, leading one of the sections, to quickly position a heavy machine gun and return fire on the sources of the attacks.
While Bravo Moyano remained in that location, Captain Avalle executed a tactical maneuver, circling around to cover both the rear and front of his company. He retraced his steps for a couple of blocks until reaching the opposite end of Bedoya Street.
As the troops passed by a nearby tailor shop, an unexpected event unfolded. Suddenly, a door swung open, and an officer whom Avalle recognized motioned for him to enter.
-Here is a captain waiting for orders! –he said– I came to talk to you!
Avalle proceeded towards that location with the expectation of finding reinforcements. However, upon crossing the threshold, he was confronted by several individuals who aimed their weapons at him. Two of them quickly subdued him, pinning him down and restraining his arms. These individuals were Aeronautics officers loyal to the government, who had concealed themselves in the premises in significant numbers.
Meanwhile, outside, the exchange of gunfire escalated. With Avalle captured, Lieutenant Bravo Moyano assumed command of the troops. He held his position steadfastly and ordered the troops to advance while consistently suppressing the points from which the police were firing.
During the advance, two cadets, Oscar Santucho and Julio Valverde, lost their lives, and several others sustained injuries. At that moment, a rebel Gloster Meteor aircraft appeared and flew over the area. However, due to concerns about hitting their own troops, the aircraft refrained from opening fire. Nevertheless, its presence achieved the intended effect of intimidating Governor Luchini's forces.
Despite being outnumbered, the better-trained Air Force troops gradually gained the upper hand in the battle against the police. Their superior weaponry offset the numerical difference, causing the police officers to gradually yield ground. Most of them were captured and disarmed, while the remaining officers fled the scene, leaving behind several wounded.
After the confrontation had concluded, a sense of calm returned to Dr. Castellano's house. Some of its occupants peered out of the windows, witnessing the aviators taking control of the situation. In response, they erupted in cheers and applause in support of the revolution. Deeply devoted to their Catholic faith, Videla Balaguer knelt and, crossing himself, offered gratitude to the Blessed Virgin for her providential intervention.
The civilian commandos eventually exited the premises, and once on the street, they attempted to confront the captive police officers with the intention of executing them. Lieutenant Bravo Moyano had to intervene firmly to prevent this, instructing his troops to keep the militiamen at a distance. Subsequently, they promptly boarded the buses and departed for the Infantry School, where they would transport Videla Balaguer to General Lonardi's command post.
Driving the prisoners at gunpoint, members of the Aeronautics and civilian commandos boarded the vehicles and set off. Ruiz Moreno says that on the way they passed two trucks full of loyal troops heading to Dr. Castellano's home, coming from the Communications Battalion. However, nothing happened thanks to the quick reaction of a rebel officer who, upon seeing those forces coming, leaned out of a window and shouted loudly "Long live the Homeland!", while enthusiastically waving his right arm. The loyal soldiers mistook them for their own troops and responded in the same way, without any confrontation occurring.
While the wounded on both sides were evacuated in ambulances and private vehicles, Commodore Krausse entrusted Captain Sergio Quiroga to seize the Córdoba radio antennas that had been broadcasting statements in favor of the government since the beginning of the actions. The aforementioned officer left aboard two buses and a jeep, leading a small force of applicants reinforced by civilian commandos, carrying with him an anti-aircraft gun. First Lieutenant Bravo Moyano and Commando Eduardo Fleurent, both veterans of the combat at Dr. Castellano's, were part of the party that headed decisively towards the town of Ferreyra with the mission of taking over station LV2, located on National Route No. 9. Flaurent directed the column to avoid Sarmiento Park, because it was known that the loyal forces were concentrated at that point, unaware that Captain Avalle had been detained there. The radio station fell without a fight because only the watchman was there along with few civilian personnel. Captain Quiroga, who also occupied an adjacent candy factory, ordered Bravo Moyano to take charge of the situation and once in possession of the station, he proceeded to transmit the revolutionary message.
-Say whatever Bravo, but say something – was the order.
In compliance with this order, Bravo Moyano directed the radio amateurs who comprised his detachment to take charge of fine-tuning the transmission equipment. They first organized a defensive perimeter around the radio building. One of the radio amateurs explained that the night watchman had intentionally damaged the equipment by removing certain instruments, rendering it inoperable. In response, the officer, displaying a resolute demeanor, drew his pistol and pointed it directly at the employee. He sternly threatened to take drastic action unless the missing components were promptly replaced. Without hesitation, the night watchman complied, and the equipment was swiftly restored to normal functioning.
Following the broadcast on "The Voice of Liberty," as the station had been christened, several proclamations were hurriedly transmitted, including a brief address by Captain Quiroga. Shortly thereafter, the equipment was swiftly disconnected to prevent potential sabotage attempts involving electric shocks at the Córdoba plant.
Captain Quiroga proceeded toward the provincial capital, and upon reaching the city's entrance arch, he halted to occupy a police checkpoint stationed there. To his surprise, he discovered that several Army officers, who had arrived from Junín earlier that morning in an unsuccessful attempt to rebel against the 1st Artillery Regiment of that town, were detained at the post. Among them were Colonel Francisco Zerda, Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Godoy, Major Lisandro Segura Levalle, Captain Alfredo Matteri, and First Lieutenant Carlos Goñi.
However, a confrontation had erupted at the LV3 transmitting station, situated on Rafael Núñez Avenue in Cerro de las Rosas, as it had come under attack from the air force.
Quiroga's column traversed the city and as they approached the radio station, their pace gradually slowed. In close proximity to the radio station were the 3rd Police Station and the Fire Station, both of which remained loyal to their superiors. Consequently, Quiroga decided to halt the march approximately one block before reaching the radio station.
A swift assessment of the situation left Quiroga with the realization of its complexity. The radio station was centrally located on a narrow street, lacking any natural cover for their advance, making it a challenging target. Consequently, he ordered the deployment of the cannon and the two Colt 7.65 heavy machine guns. Accompanied by Ensign Arnoldo Salas, Quiroga advanced cautiously. It became evident that they were under surveillance when gunfire erupted from the rooftops of the police station.
Taking cover, Quiroga and Salas returned fire, neutralizing the immediate threat. Someone from behind them opened fire from a nearby private residence, with bullets striking a nearby wall and narrowly grazing the first person's head. Quiroga swiftly turned and responded with a burst of gunfire that struck the aggressor in the shoulder, incapacitating him. Upon witnessing the advance of the rest of the column and the civilian commandos down the street, the police officers abandoned their belligerent stance and surrendered. The paratroopers promptly detained them, confining them to the holding cells, and proceeded to evacuate the wounded soldier to the Hospital de Clínicas. However, before doing so, they implemented certain security measures. Nonetheless, the conflict was far from over.
At station LV3, the rebel forces encountered heavy gunfire, resulting in the loss of a soldier who lay seriously injured on the street. In the midst of this exchange of fire, Captain Adolfo Valis aimed the cannon. However, just as he was about to fire, the defenders of the radio station, all of whom were police officers, chose to surrender.
As the building's owner, Quiroga posted a guard, bolstering it with civilian elements. After transmitting the revolutionary proclamations, he proceeded to LW1, located on the outskirts of the city. There, he captured the station without encountering any resistance, accomplishing this mission by 12:45.
With the mission successfully completed, Quiroga returned to the Military Aviation School to brief Commodore Krausse on the operation's details.
On the war's first day, the rebel Air Force conducted numerous combat missions. At 06:35, two two-seater I.Ae DL-22s of national manufacture took off from the Military Aviation School to strafe positions at the Infantry School. Fifteen minutes later, a third aircraft with the same specifications repeated the operation. At 07:20, three Beechcraft AT-11s flew over the targets at low altitude, embarking on a reconnaissance mission.
Subsequently, a pilot flew a Percival MK.1 Prentice two-seater aircraft, tasked with scouting the road connecting the Aviation School to the city of Córdoba. The aircraft conducted a low-altitude flyover of the capital, specifically to observe the Police and Firefighters barracks [4] near the LV3 radio station. However, no significant findings were detected during this reconnaissance flight.
Two additional Percival aircraft were tasked with dispersing leaflets bearing revolutionary slogans over the city. During their next sortie, one of these aircraft detected unusual activity in the barracks of the 4th Communications Regiment. The pilot promptly relayed this information to the command at the Military Aviation School.
Given that all non-commissioned officers were either actively engaged in combat or had declared their allegiance to the government, various ground tasks, such as loading ammunition and fuel, transporting and assembling bombs, as well as supplying and repairing equipment, were assumed by officers and cadets.
At 9:15 a.m., a DL22 aircraft equipped with Lewis machine guns departed from the Military Aviation School. Its mission was to conduct surveillance over the Police Headquarters and deter the concentration of troops and ammunition. By 10:30, three Fiat G.46 aircraft executed a similar operation over the city [5]. At 12:00, a fourth aircraft of the same type conducted multiple passes over the "Kaiser" factory. Near the factory, a variety of vehicles, including trucks, buses, and jeeps, had been spotted advancing along the road from Córdoba to Alta Gracia. During the flyover, the G.46 aircraft made a low-altitude pass, prompting the column to halt as its troops sought cover by lying on the ground or dispersing across the terrain for protection.
Around the same time, a Beechcraft AT-11 aircraft identified a second motorized column comprising both military and civilian vehicles, with the latter belonging to the Eva Perón Foundation. These vehicles were en route to Alta Gracia along the Villa Carlos Paz road. Upon receiving this information, the control tower at the EAM (Military Aviation School) decided to take action. The pilot of the aircraft initiated a dive and released two 50-kilogram napalm bombs onto the column, neither of which detonated. Nevertheless, this attack caused the vehicles to come to a halt, and the personnel quickly scattered in various directions. The pilot reported the outcome of the attack to the control tower and requested the dispatch of additional aircraft for a second assault.
A second AT-11 aircraft departed from the Military Aviation School to conduct another pass over the extensive line of trucks, jeeps, and buses, while simultaneously firing its cannons. However, during the strafing run, it came under intense fire from light weapons that pierced its left fuel tank. Following that, a DL-22 aircraft made another pass, strafing the line of vehicles once more before withdrawing. Subsequently, additional aircraft executed similar attacks, persistently harassing the motorized column, which eventually retreated toward Alta Gracia in search of cover.
DL-22 aircraft conducted dive attacks on LV3 radio station before it fell into the hands of the rebels, prompting the withdrawal of the police officers guarding it. At 12:45, a Percival aircraft flew over LW1 station at the exact moment when Lieutenant Quiroga's section was taking control of the station. Less than an hour later, at 1:30 p.m., two Avro Lincolns from Morón, piloted by Captains Ricardo Rossi and Orlando Cappellini, landed at the Military Aviation School to join the uprising.
Due to their formidable firepower and high-performance capabilities, these aircraft significantly bolstered the precarious position of the rebel forces. At 3:00 p.m., authorization was requested to land three more Avro Lincolns, and at the same time, two Percival aircraft flew over Córdoba to broadcast the motives of the revolution through their loudspeakers and disseminate leaflets containing revolutionary proclamations.
Around 4:30 p.m., an AT-11 aircraft detected a concentration of military vehicles at the "60 Cuadras" flying club. During a second pass, it verified that several trucks, cannons, and troops were concealed under the trees and hangars. Additionally, troops were positioned on both sides of the road, heading west. The aircraft faced heavy fire from machine guns, with 12.7mm projectiles damaging its left oil tank. As a result, it had to withdraw and landed minutes later at the Military Aviation School, where the pilot promptly reported his observations and flight incidents.
While mechanics and ground personnel worked to repair the damage to the Percival aircraft, Captain Cappellini's Avro Lincoln took off to bomb the facilities of the "60 Cuadras" flying club, which, based on the latest intelligence, had a concentration of loyalist troops. The pilot executed his mission with unwavering determination. Once he pinpointed the target, he descended several meters, initiating a bombing run. As he approached the target area, he opened the bomb bay doors and released the bombs. In a subsequent pass, he flew at low altitude, strafing the enemy positions. These attacks inflicted severe damage on the enemy forces, compelling them to abandon their positions and commence a retreat, evacuating both the deceased and wounded.
Approximately thirty minutes later, an AT-11 aircraft intercepted these retreating troops as they moved along Provincial Route No. 5, heading towards Alta Gracia. Two DL-22s conducted a second bombing run on the "60 Cuadras" flying club, but these aircraft faced heavy anti-aircraft machine gun fire.
At 5:10 p.m., another AT-11 flew over Córdoba's capital to support the forces currently attacking the Cabildo. At 5:30 p.m., a Percival aircraft flew at low altitude, dispersing leaflets, followed by another pass twenty minutes later.
The final sorties of the day occurred at 7:00 p.m. when a DL-22 aircraft strafed the troops in Alta Gracia once again, conducting multiple low passes while encountering fire from various points in the city. At 10:00 p.m., an AT-11 on a nighttime reconnaissance mission dropped flares near the "Kaiser" factory and the old Parachute School, aiding an Avro Lincoln in its bombing run against Ferreyra airfield. The Avro Lincoln came under anti-aircraft fire that penetrated its fuel tanks, necessitating an emergency landing.
By 11:15 p.m., another AT-11, loaded with flares and napalm bombs, departed from the Military Aviation School to attack a column of CGT (General Confederation of Labor) vehicles traveling along the road linking Ferreyra with Oliva. Shortly thereafter, it withdrew.
During the same night, the rebel Air Force planned a larger mission. One of the five Avro Lincolns that had joined the revolution that day was dispatched to bomb the Morón Air Base, which the government intended to use for its air operations. The aircraft took off in the middle of the night, heading southeast, and embarked on a flight lasting nearly an hour. En route, it encountered a cloud front that developed into a storm over the province of Buenos Aires. Upon reaching the target area, the powerful aircraft entered a holding pattern, awaiting improved weather conditions. However, as conditions persisted, it aborted the mission and began its return.
Meanwhile, in the city of Córdoba, loyalist authorities were repositioning themselves. Governor Luchini consolidated all available police forces at the old Cabildo, where he established his headquarters, and also at various police stations, placing them under the command of Inspector General Ferrari. During this period, he received several calls, including one from Colonel Perkins in Santa Fe, who encouraged him to continue resisting while awaiting the arrival of General Miguel Ángel Iñíguez's troops, which were advancing toward the province.
Major (Retired) Arnoldo E. Salas. As an ensign he fought in Alta Córdoba(Revista "Turismo", Touring Club Argentino, 66º aniversario,1973 edition)
General Videla Balaguer arrived at the Artillery School, at a time when Lonardi's troops were presenting weapons to the Infantry troops parading in front of them, before handing over their weapons and withdrawing from the fight. While this was happening, a Peronist mob led by armed activists looted Dr. Castellano's abandoned house, destroying his rich library, his furniture, his glassware and stealing all kinds of objects. Domingo Telasco Castellanos and his companions could do nothing when they arrived at the place from the corralón to which they had been sent to take over the ESSO warehouses (the operation did not materialize) since when they arrived, the vandals had broken the access gates and They took everything. Videla Balaguer asked Lonardi to adopt measures to take over Córdoba, and the head of the revolution agreed. Proceeding immediately, he ordered to gather troops to carry out the operation, organizing a section with elements of the Army and Aeronautics7, provided with four 7.5 Bofors cannons under the command of First Lieutenant Anselmo Matteoda; a company of heavy machine guns under Captain Juan José Claisse (Liceo Militar) and two mortars under Lieutenant Carlos Antonio Binotti, who would be supported by Infantry Second Lieutenant Enrique Gómez Pueyrredón. After 5:00 p.m., the section set out under the command of Videla Balaguer himself, headed by Captain Claisse and his artillery pieces, and half an hour later they arrived at the Plaza San Martín, in front of the Cabildo, where they proceeded to place the five machine guns in each one of its ends (two on the left and three on the right), one of the mortars and a 7.5 mm cannon, pointing towards the Cabildo.
A cannon shot hits the front of the Cabildo
Fighting in the streets of Córdoba. Artillery fire against the old Cabildo building
(Picture by Jorge R. Schneider)
The population runs for protection
Despite this deployment, the police showed no signs of life inside the building, so Claisse took a megaphone and with a firm voice demanded surrender, threatening the security guards with opening fire if they did not agree. The response came from the nearby buildings and rooftops, where police officers and Peronist militants rained down a heavy volley of bullets on the troops, forcing them to quickly seek cover. The rebel officer ordered fire and his units began to shoot, shaking the downtown area with unusual violence. According to Claisse's later report, the young cadets from the Police School in front of them fought well and were willing to kill. The projectiles, both from mortars and cannon, hit the Cabildo but its thick walls withstood the onslaught, securing the positions of those who resisted inside. The shooting became intense and that forced Claisse to open a new front from the back since things had become extremely difficult in front. Putting his plan into action, he ordered Lieutenant Rolando Agarate to follow him and, covering himself as best he could, he headed directly towards the back of the Crillón Hotel, taking the “Muñoz” gallery through which they ended up near a small door. located next to the Town Hall. The officers resolutely headed towards it to machine-gun it from close range with the intention of opening it, but at that moment, Peronist militiamen stationed at the Club Talleres headquarters opened fire and hit them. Claisse fell wounded in the leg and Agarate was left lying on the pavement, mortally wounded. A bullet had passed through his arm and another was lodged near his heart. Claisse saw that he had cut a tendon and that a lot of blood was flowing from his wound, so, lacking implements to make a tourniquet, he tried to stop the bleeding with his thumb, although he was unable to stop it.
General Videla Balaguer together with Commodore Eduardo Arena Nievas and Dr. Tristán Castellanos advance towards the Cabildo
Civilians and soldiers, led by General Dalmiro Videla Balaguer, advance towards the Cabildo
The rebels run for protection after being shot at from the Cabildo
A rebel militiaman holds his weapon in front of the Cabildo
The rebel troops take cover under the Cabildo recess
Upon hearing the cannonade, Videla Balaguer's troops advancing behind Claisse quickened their pace while the people cheered and several armed civilians joined them, eager to fight. Near the Bank of Italy branch, Videla Balaguer stopped the march and, taking her field phone, contacted the police headquarters. He was attended to by the deputy chief, whom he demanded to surrender under the threat of opening fire if he did not accept.
-Come out with your hands up, advancing towards us along San Martín Street!
The police chief responded that he was willing to do what they asked and at that same moment, the shooting stopped, giving way to a tense calm. Videla Balaguer believed that everything was over and for that reason, full of joy and excitement, he decided to approach the Cabildo. He did so martially, proud and satisfied, followed by soldiers and civilians, among them an old man carrying an Argentine flag tied to a stick. Major Jorge Fernández Funes understood that the situation was still very confusing and that given the presence of a significant number of snipers on the surrounding rooftops, the danger had not passed.
-Be careful, my general. Don't expose yourself so much – he told his superior while she tried to hold him by his belt.
But Videla Balaguer, a determined but reckless man, was living a moment of glory and was not going to waste it. Together with Fernández Funes, Vice Commodore Arenas Nievas, Colonel Picca, officers, soldiers and a large number of civilians, he continued walking towards the historic building, ready to accept the surrender of its defenders. By then, dozens of men and women, especially doctors, students and nurses, joined the civil commands to offer their services and most of them were ordered to report to the Police Health Directorate from where they were dispatched to the places of confrontation wearing bracelets with the Red Cross. The procession was cheered by the population as it advanced through the Plaza San Martín, in sight of the imposing Cathedral that preserves the heart and relics of Fray Mamerto Esquiú, but when it was halfway there, a few meters from the building , began to be shot at from various points in the surrounding area. The old man who was carrying the flag fell dead at the feet of Videla Balaguer and several of his companions were injured, including Colonel Picca himself. Videla Balaguer and his people ran quickly forward and entered the recess of the Cabildo almost at the same moment that Lieutenant Matteoda's cannon began to fire. Videla Balaguer's assault troops occupied the historic building and reduced the police personnel defending it with very few casualties. The anti-Peronist prisoners, including Captain Alejandro Palacio Deheza, who arrived in Córdoba that same day to join the fight, were released and the police officers who had surrendered minutes before were locked up along with several civilians who had taken part in the fighting. with them. Videla Balaguer was euphoric and wanting to give greater magnificence to that moment, he invited his people to look out on the balcony of the Cabildo to greet the crowd that gathered outside.
-General – Fernández Funes told him again – it is not prudent for us to do so.
The officer was right because gunshots could still be heard in the surrounding area. However, Videla Balaguer ignored him and left, followed by First Lieutenant Miguel A. Mallea Gil and other people. Once again it was proven that Fernández Funes was right because when the rebel general greeted the crowd, a bullet fired from a nearby rooftop passed very close to him, destroying a painting of General San Martín that hung on an interior wall. And once again the good luck that accompanied him was evident since on three occasions, the first, during the combat at Dr. Castellano's, the second when he pompously advanced through the square and the third when he saluted from the balcony of the Cabildo, Extremely exposed, the projectiles passed close to him, killing and wounding those around him, without even grazing him. Everything seemed to indicate that the brave, although somewhat unconscious general from San Juan, enjoyed providential protection. Once the fight was over, joy took over the center of Córdoba. The population took to the streets to cheer the revolutionary soldiers while he jumped and chanted slogans opposing Perón. In another sector, however, uncertainty reigned. In the midst of combat, Governor Luchini had abandoned the Cabildo and hurriedly escaped towards Alta Gracia, followed by several people.
-If Videla Balaguer catches me, she'll kill me! – He told his assistants shortly before leaving the historic building through a side exit.
The president sneaked to another point in the capital and when night fell, he boarded a car that took him to Jesús María, to continue from there south, passing through Cosquín. He arrived in Alta Gracia a couple of hours later and in the old mountain city, where General Morello was waiting for him, he installed his command. Meanwhile, in the provincial capital, Videla Balaguer prepared the assault on the Government House and the CGT headquarters, entrusting the mission to Major Fernández Funes. The officer set off at the head of a platoon made up of several officers, one of them Second Lieutenant Gómez Pueyrredón8, and set off resolutely to carry out the order. The CGT headquarters, located on Vélez Sarsfield Avenue, was evacuated with tear gas and at the Government House, only one cannon shot was enough for its defenders to surrender. Upon hearing the news, Videla Balaguer left her temporary command position in the Cabildo and settled in the government headquarters, reinforced from that moment on by artillery pieces and a strong guard with shooters stationed at doors and windows. Shortly after settling into the Government Palace, Videla Balaguer was notified of the advance of loyal troops and, knowing of this, he ordered the sending of two cannons towards the entrance arch of the city, under the orders of Second Lieutenant Borré and Second Lieutenant Gómez Pueyrredón. . When the officers arrived at the scene it was the middle of the night, a quick inspection of the surroundings allowed them to detect a column of unidentified trucks advancing along the road in their direction. The rebel soldiers opened fire, forcing the vehicles to turn around and return the same way.
The city of Córdoba and its vicinity had fallen under the control of the rebel forces. Throughout that night, various civilian groups converged on the Artillery and Airborne Troops schools with a clear intention of arming themselves and joining the struggle. Following the directives of the insurgent leadership, they were equipped with rifles captured by the rebel troops from radio stations, workers' centers, and the Cabildo. These new arrivals were organized into several platoons, with officers assigned to lead them. They were given various tasks, including monitoring the access routes to the city, guarding the Pajas Blancas airfield, and reinforcing positions.
A similar situation unfolded in the provincial capital, where additional militia groups reported to General Videla Balaguer to place themselves under his command. Among these groups were a considerable number of Radical Party members, led by figures like Luis Medina Allende, the president of the youth committee, Juan Mario Masjoan, Medardo Ávila Vásquez, and conservative supporters led by Damián Fernández Astrada and Edmundo Molina. The ranks also included the Santos brothers, Jorge Manfredi, Domingo Telasco Castellanos, Marcelo Zapiola, the García Montaño siblings, Gustavo Aliaga García, Gustavo Mota Reyna, Jorge Horacio Zinny (son of the brigadier who had participated in General Menéndez's 1951 uprising), engineer Rodolfo Martínez, Miguel Arrambide Pizarro, Guillermo Parera, and the link between these groups, Luis Roberto Pereda. In preceding months, these groups had engaged in firearm practice at the Malagueño quarries owned by Martín Ferreyra, produced explosives, attacked police stations with Molotov cocktails, and held clandestine meetings at engineer Martínez's residence.
With Córdoba under control, Videla Balaguer took measures to maintain order, deploying armed checkpoints at strategic locations across the city. These included entrances to the city, downtown streets, bridges, public buildings, and rooftops. Subsequently, he appointed Dr. Tristán Castellanos as interim mayor and Vice Commodore Eduardo Arenas Nievas as Chief of Police.
These measures were crucial as Peronist armed groups continued their activities throughout the night. They disseminated false information and fired at the rebel forces from various locations, including moving vehicles speeding past surveillance posts. Additionally, they engaged in acts of sabotage. A column of demonstrators from emergency slums on the outskirts attempted to reach the city center but was thwarted and dispersed with machine gun fire by Second Lieutenant Gómez Pueyrredón.
Defensive actions were also taken at the Artillery, Infantry, and Airborne Troops schools. Elements from the Non-Commissioned Officers School were dispatched to control the area facing Alta Gracia, where the arrival of General Morello's troops was anticipated. At the Artillery barracks, a defensive perimeter was established, comprising heavy, light, and reconnaissance units, all reinforced by civilian participants.
These precautions proved prudent, as during the night, loyalist troops from the Infantry School, who had not surrendered, regrouped under the command of Major Esteban E. Llamosas and launched an attack. In the middle of the night, these infantry forces loyal to Perón unleashed mortar fire, inflicting numerous casualties among both rebel soldiers and civilians. In response, Lonardi's forces fired back with their 105 mm artillery pieces. The exchange of fire continued until the early hours of September 17 when the loyalist troops were compelled to initiate withdrawal maneuvers, evacuating the area. They conducted their withdrawal toward Alta Gracia in an orderly fashion, always under the leadership of Llamosas, with the aim of joining General Morello's forces already concentrated there.
Photographs of Jorge R. Schneider obtained during the events that took place between September 16 and 21, 1955 in the city of Córdoba
Rebel troops stationed at the Club Talleres headquarters
Soldiers and militiamen try to counter the action of Peronist snipers
A heavy machine gun points at the Cabildo
Soldiers and militiamen shoot at loyalist forces
Otra ametralladora pesada de las fuerzas rebeldes lista para disparar
Artillery hits in front of the Cabildo. The thick walls of the old Hispanic construction stoically resisted the onslaught
Damage to the front of the Cabildo, headquarters of the provincial police and bastion of Peronist defenders
Inspector General Barbosa advances with the flag of parliament to accept the capitulation of the loyal forces. It is guarded by members of the Air Force.
The fight is over. Peronist police, soldiers and civilians surrender
A group of paratroopers monitors the Peronist fighters who have surrendered
A paratrooper takes aim at the prisoners, a civilian commando holds a gun in his right hand
After fierce resistance, the Peronist troops have laid down their weapons
Columns of prisoners move through the streets of Córdoba
Interior of the Cabildo after the battle. Ruins and desolation
Destruction inside the Cabildo
Notas
Fernández Torres attributed his salvation to the image of the archangel Saint Raphael that he carried in his jacket pocket, to whom he had entrusted himself shortly before the battle.
Isidoro Ruiz Moreno, op. cit, Tomo II, Primera Parte, Cap. II, “La mañana del 16 de septiembre”.
Also called Río Primero.
The mission detected no enemy presence.
Equipped with the same weapons as the AT-11.
The attack did not materialize.
They were Colonel Juan Bautista Picca, Major Jorge Fernández Funes and Lieutenant Colonel Raúl Adolfo Picasso..
Gómez Pueyrredón was in charge of the 7.5 mm cannon of the section.
With the peace of mind that the day before Susana and Andrés Lonardi had left for Córdoba in the company of Ricardo Quesada, the general and his wife got up early and after cleaning, prepared the two suitcases that they planned to take on the trip.
General Eduardo Lonardi
At mid-morning they had breakfast and around noon the Lonardis went for a walk around the area, ending the tour at the comfortable Ballardino restaurant on Charcas Street where they had lunch. Meanwhile, within the apartment, Luis Ernesto proceeded with utmost caution as he gently lowered the luggage, securing it within the trunk of his father's car, which was conveniently parked in the building's garage. Following the prearranged schedule, he set out at 3:00 p.m. to his sister Marta's residence in the Belgrano neighborhood, from where he intended to depart in his own vehicle to collect his parents from Libertad and Guido. However, fate intervened, and a few blocks into his journey, he suffered a tire puncture, rendering his car immobile.
Marta promptly rushed back to her home to report the unexpected issue and subsequently hailed a taxi, while her brother hastily made his way to the location where the car had been left to replace the damaged tire.
Eventually, Marta retrieved her parents from the designated meeting point and returned after 4:00 p.m. There was no time for prolonged farewells; Luis Ernesto, together with his parents, boarded his sister's vehicle, embarking on a rapid journey towards Plaza Once, accompanied by Deheza. During the trip, Lonardi seized the opportunity to recount his recent activities and offer a comprehensive overview of the prevailing situation. He had recently concluded a final meeting with Colonel Señorans at Dr. Cornejo Saravia's dental clinic. His subordinate had once again requested an extension of the deadline to commence operations, emphasizing the critical need for coordinated actions along the coastlines, for which time was running short. In response to inquiries from his son and son-in-law regarding his decision, the general stated that he had unequivocally denied the request, citing that orders had already been issued. Additionally, he mentioned Señorans' proposal for him to accompany them to Córdoba, where he intended to personally inform General Aramburu about the unfolding revolution. Señorans sought authorization for this mission, and he expressed his willingness to follow through, provided Lonardi approved. The leader of the uprising concurred, concluding by saying:
-Colonel Señorans, if he achieves that, he will deserve the good of the Fatherland.
As Lonardi elucidated, that conversation had left him profoundly content, as he was well aware that his conversational partner was a proficient, dynamic, and resolute senior officer.
Their arrival at Plaza Once bus terminal transpired at 4:30 p.m., where they promptly initiated the process of inspecting their luggage. It was at this juncture that General Lonardi realized he had only $14 to his name. In response, his son-in-law graciously offered to provide him with additional funds.
"Thank you very much, José Alberto," expressed the general appreciatively, "These $14 should suffice for my journey. If the revolution should falter, I shall have no need for money, and should it prevail, I shan't require it for my return."
At 4:50 p.m., with a mere ten minutes remaining before departure, Major Guevara arrived, alleviating the unease sparked by his earlier absence. In his company, he bore both favorable and unfavorable tidings, prompting his superior to request the unfavorable news first.
The Military College did not agree to the uprising and the involvement of the 1st Infantry Regiment was doubtful. For this reason, General Uranga requested permission to go to the Río Santiago Naval Base to support the Naval Military Academy with the elements he could gather.
Lieutenant Colonel Arribau was heading to Curuzú Cuatiá to run operations.
General Lagos prepared to march to Cuyo for the same purpose and left that same night.
General Bengoa insisted that his escape would nullify the surprise factor and for that reason, he proposed staying in the capitol city to collaborate with the movement and provide all his support from there.
Lonardi remained resolute in his insistence that General Uranga should push forward towards Rosario, but in the event that this was not possible, he granted him full autonomy to act according to his own judgment.
As the bus departure announcement resounded through the station's speakers, the Lonardi family prepared to bid their farewells. The venerable general embraced his son-in-law warmly, and after a similar embrace with his subordinate, he addressed her:
"I'm relying on you, Guevara, and I'll be waiting for you in Córdoba."
Luis Ernesto and his mother followed suit, and soon afterward, they boarded the bus, with the lady taking the lead. However, before they parted ways, there was one last exchange of words.
"Guevara," the general called from the bus's step, "we'll need a password." "I've already thought of one, general. How about 'God is Just'?" "It strikes me as the most suitable," Lonardi concurred, lightly patting the older man's shoulder. He then climbed the three steps and proceeded down the aisle towards the rear seats.
Lonardi and his wife stood further back, as the senior officer wished to avoid inconveniencing fellow passengers with his tobacco smoke. Meanwhile, their son settled into a front seat. With everyone aboard and tickets in hand, the bus closed its doors and commenced its journey towards the province of Córdoba.
September, the 14th, 5 p.m. Bus from Buenos Aires to Córdoba
While the bus moved slowly through the crowded streets of Buenos Aires, Lieutenant Colonel Sánchez Lahoz headed to Corrientes to revolt its garrisons and in Curuzú Cuatiá, Major Montiel Forzano, took the final decisions along with several officers, assisted by Colonel Arias Duval and Lieutenant Colonel Arribau. They had to wait for the arrival of General Armaburu and Colonel Señorans to lead their forces. With the same purpose, General Lagos traveled to Cuyo despite the fact that there was no news of what was happening there because Eduardo Lonardi (h) had not yet returned. Only one thing worried the leader of the uprising, the lack of support from the Military College in Buenos Aires and consequently, the non-participation of the 1st Infantry Regiment that was supposed to annul Rosario's forces. There were vague references to the rest of the military units and everything indicated that the situation was extremely precarious. Still, he was determined to keep going until he won or died. Immediately after the bus left the station, Colonel Señorans contacted General Aramburu to meet him at a certain point in the city in order to “communicate something to him.” They met at 10:00 p.m., at the Petit Café on Av. Santa Fe and Callao, and sat at a table far from the windows to talk more calmly. Once face to face, after ordering a couple of coffees, Señorans looked at his superior and informed her that the revolution was underway and that at that moment General Lonardi was traveling to Córdoba to begin the actions.
-My general, I come in compliance with an order from General Lonardi to convey to you that the date of the revolution has been set for midnight on September 16.
-But how?!! – Aramburu exclaimed, surprised and disgusted at the same time.
Next, Señorans explained the movements that had been carried out so far, as well as the decisions and results and then detailed the operations plan that his superior listened to unchanged. When he told him that Lonardi was counting on him to direct operations on the Litoral, he responded curtly.
-I'll be there.
Happy to have the participation of his boss, Señorans informed him that the next day a liaison was going to provide them with tickets to Puerto Constanza, Entre Ríos and then they said goodbye, each one taking different directions. At that precise moment, Lonardi and Doña Mercedes were traveling along Route 9 in the direction of Córdoba, the former immersed in deep thoughts although engaging in occasional dialogue with her wife, so as not to worry her with her silence. In the front seat, his son Luis Ernesto was trying to sleep, taking advantage of the darkness and the monotonous noise of the engine. According to Mrs. Mercedes Villada Achaval, her husband seemed calm and optimistic despite the seriousness of his face and the long silences in which he fell. They were traveling in the middle of the countryside, beyond Rosario, when suddenly, the bus slowed down and stopped on the side of the road. The passenger had to descend in the cold winter night and there, under the starry sky, the Lonardis began to worry about the delay and the possibility that their luggage would be searched and the combat uniforms of the general and his son would be found inside.
-Do you think you are going to succeed? – His wife asked him. -Don't worry... I have a lot of faith in victory.
An hour later a second bus arrived in front of the shoulder. The passengers boarded the new bus and after a few minutes, they resumed their journey, but not before exchanging a few brief words. Lonardi told his son that he was worried that the suitcases would continue to Córdoba in the broken down vehicle but they trusted everything in providence. The general and his wife sat again in the back seats while Luis Ernesto did so further ahead, along with a beautiful and friendly young woman who began to talk to him. The girl belonged to the UES (Secondary Student Union, a youngster Peronist organization) and she was delighted because she was traveling to the Mediterranean city to attend a great party that the entity organized on September 15 to celebrate the arrival of spring.
-"There will be a great ball," she said enthusiastically, "and possibly General Perón himself will come." -"But that's great," Luis Ernesto responded while he thought, "You can't imagine the dance they're going to have!"
The bus arrived in Córdoba around 10:00 a.m. and half an hour later, once the luggage that arrived a little later had been removed, Mrs. Mercedes went to her brother's home while Lonardi and her son went to that of Dr. Calixto de la Torre, brother-in-law of Villada Achaval, where Colonel Ossorio Arana was waiting for them. At that time, the supervision tour that the Minister of the Army, General Franklin Lucero, was carrying out through the units of the province was ending and that was the first thing that Lonardi was informed of. However, nothing seemed to show that the government had detected anything and that increased the confidence of the leaders of the uprising. That same night, the officers' meeting that Ossorio Arana had organized took place at De la Torre's house. On that occasion, Brigadier Landaburu and Damián were present. Fernández Astrada, who were in charge of the revolutionary civilian commands of the region. Lonardi insisted that these civilians had to take action after 01:00 on the 16th and Fernández Astrada reported that General Videla Balaguer was hiding in his apartment on Olmos Avenue, in the center of the city, and that at his request, Lonardi had to go there to have an interview with him. The San Juan general was unable to leave that refuge because the security forces were following him very closely, for that reason, Lonardi accepted, immediately leaving for there.
Major Juan Francisco Guevara
In the talk they both had, various topics were addressed, all of them in detail, the main one being the order that the newcomer had given, in the sense that Videla Balaguer would take charge of the civil commands to take over the main points of the city and the steps that had to be followed once the actions had begun. At 10:00 p.m. the general was back at Calixto de la Torre's to start a new conference. On this new opportunity, Major Melitón Quijano and Captain Ramón E. Molina from the Artillery school were present; First Lieutenant Julio Fernández Torres from the Parachute School, Major Oscar Tanco from the Aeronautical Non-Commissioned Officers School, Captains Mario Efraín Arruabarrena and Juan José Claisse from the Liceo Militar and Captain Eduardo Maguerit, the only officer from the Infantry School who he had given in to the riot. Each of them presented Lonardi with a status report on the military units to which they belonged and immediately afterwards, they proceeded to adjust the action plan, which consisted of:
The Artillery School, the Airborne Troops School, the Aviation School, the Aeronautical Non-Commissioned Officer Candidate School and the General Paz High School would take part in the uprising.
The paratroopers would take over the Airborne Troops School and once it was taken over, they would post pickets on the access routes to the provincial capital to stop anyone who tried to pass.
The Military Aviation and Aeronautical Non-Commissioned Officers schools would revolt.
Captain Molina should take over the Artillery School and grant access to General Lonardi and his companions to immediately arrest the director of the establishment. Once that objective was achieved, the troops would be ready and the pieces and artillery would be turned towards the Infantry School.
The Aspirant School would take over the I.A.M.E.
Captain Maguerti and Second Lieutenant Gómez Pueyrredón, from the Infantry School, would proceed to open its doors to the paratroopers and leave officers from the Military School at the School of Airborne Troops to be in charge of its custody.
Those present expressed their agreement and only Captain Molina made an observation, requesting that the arrest of the director of the Artillery School be carried out together with General Lonardi, a request that the head of the revolution accepted without hesitation. As at that time of year a good part of the Artillery officers were on maneuvers in Pampa de Olaén, 110 kilometers from Córdoba, Lonardi approved postponing the uprising for just one hour, and insisted on trying to convince Colonel Brizuela, chief of the Infantry School, so that they would join the uprising and thus avoid useless bloodshed1. Immediately afterwards, he harangued those present and concluded by saying in a firm voice:
-Gentlemen, we must proceed, to ensure initial success, with maximum brutality!
Lonardi hugged each and every one of those present and that was a moment of great significance that was forever engraved in everyone's spirit. The meeting ended at 01:00 on September 15, just 24 hours after the revolutionary outbreak that was going to change the course of Argentine history. While these events were taking place in Córdoba, in the rest of the country, the main rebel units were preparing for the fight. In Corrientes, Colonel Héctor Solanas Pacheco, unaware of General Bengoa's reticent attitude, awaited his arrival in a ranch located between Mercedes and Curuzú Cuatiá. By then, Major Pablo Molinari, head of the Gualeguay Military District, had established the first contacts aimed at providing support to Armaburu and Señorans during their transfer through the province of Entre Ríos, and other officers were waiting expectantly for the order to begin actions. In Buenos Aires, meanwhile, Captain Palma had informed the naval commands, through his liaisons, and several sailors left towards the south divided into two groups, the first, under the command of Captain Rial, was heading to the Comandante Base. Spore to put himself in front and the other, headed by the ship captain Mario Robbio, went to Puerto Belgrano, ready to revolt the Sea Fleet. Rial would be in charge of the Naval Aviation and for that reason, as the sun set, he gathered at his house in the town of Olivos the group of officers who would constitute his command, to adjust the last details of the operations plan. For this reason, his wife Susana Núñez Monasterio had told the maid to take it easy that day and keep the curtains and blinds of the house closed, so that nothing would leak through them. The sailors were working on a map of routes and highways from the Argentine Automobile Club when the bell suddenly rang. Seized with great nervousness, they looked at each other in silence and sat up in alarm, ready to flee through the back of the house, when the owner of the house appeared to tell them that it was a straggling officer who had just arrived2. In Puerto Belgrano, meanwhile, the battleships “Moreno” and “Rivadavia”, the cruisers “Almirante Brown” and “25 de Mayo”, the destroyers “Mendoza” and “Tucumán”, two BDI landing craft, three torpedo boats, auxiliary vessels without artillery, tugboats and flatboats. The cruiser “9 de Julio”, twin of the “17 de Octubre”, was undergoing repairs along with three destroyers, for that reason, its commander, captain Rafael Francos, was moving busily to speed up the work in order to have to the vessel ready to enter operations. As for the battleships, they were immobilized in port but it was planned to use their powerful artillery pieces to defend the base. Regarding the non-commissioned officer personnel, mostly supporters of the government, it was decided to send them to Bahía Blanca with different commissions, in order to keep them away when the fighting broke out. At the nearby Comandante Espora Base, meanwhile, all personnel were ready to go into action, hence the hasty return of frigate captain Edgardo S. Andrew, at that time subject to the authority of the military courts, to take charge. of its functions.
Cap. Jorge E- Perren
Naval Aviation was organized under the command of Lieutenant Commander Beaubeau de Secondignè, of the Aviation School, with Captain Hugo Simón Radl in charge of air transport, Lieutenant Commander Justiniano Martínez Achaval, the patrol boats; Captain Eduardo Estivariz the observation squadrons; Lieutenant Pedro Calvo Paz the defense (he would rely on the Marine Corps for this) and Captain Meteorologist Guillermo Mackinlay, the prisoners, all of them under the direction of Captain Jorge E. Perren, second commander of the Puerto Belgrano Naval Base. At 09:00 a meeting took place on the road leading to Comandante Espora between captains Perren and Andrews. The naval officers moved at low speed along the route to Bahía Blanca, in the first's car, while they verbally addressed everything related to the weapons and ammunition of the planes, the occupation of the city by the Marines, the assignment of tasks for each officer, the surveillance of the nearby 5th Infantry Regiment, the taking of prisoners, the blowing up of roads, bridges and railways, the cutting of communications cables, the distribution of pamphlets, the alerts, the radiation of messages and other major issues. Another meeting of the same characteristics took place between Andrew and a group of officers at 10:00 p.m. while in Buenos Aires the civil commands were actively working on assigning tasks and roles. Florencio Arnaudo, together with Carlos Burundarena and Raúl Puigbó, drew up the plans for the so-called Black Rose Operation aimed at occupying and neutralizing the radio stations while other groups were dedicated to collecting and hiding weapons and documentation, one of them the marriage of Alberto V. Pechemiel and Angelita Menéndez (niece of the old rebel general), members of the civil command of the parish of the Holy Spirit, led by Captain Alberto Fernández, who turned their apartment on Coronel Díaz and Av. Libertador into a true arsenal. Meanwhile, in front of Puerto Madryn, the bulk of the Sea Fleet was anchored with the cruiser “17 de Octubre” at the helm whose commander, ship captain Agustín P. Lariño, had announced that he was willing to fold. The rest of the units, almost all belonging to the group of destroyers commanded by Captain Raimundo Palau, remained waiting alongside smaller vessels. On the other hand, on the ground, Grumman aircraft from the Observation Squadron were waiting parked next to the runway of the Naval Air Station, under the command of Lieutenant Juan María Vassallo.
Thursday, September 15, passed with absolute normality in Río Santiago, despite the fact that the officers were aware that the revolution was going to break out that same night. Before noon, frigate captains Jorge Palma and Carlos Sánchez Sañudo appeared at the base, who should have accompanied General Bengoa to Paraná. Captain Carlos A. Bourel, director of the Naval High School, Lieutenant Commander (RE) Andrés Troppea, General Uranga and several Army officers, among whom were Lieutenant Colonel Heriberto Kurt Benner of the Higher War School. That day, Admiral Isaac Francisco Rojas, director of the Río Santiago Naval School, summoned the base commander, Captain Luis M. García, to his office to inform him of what was happening and inform him that at 0 hours that same day, the revolution broke out. Shortly after, he did the same with his staff, made up of Captain Abel R. Fernández, deputy director of the Naval Academy, and frigate captains Juan Carlos Bassi, head of the cadet corps, and Miguel Rondina, head of studies.
Admiral Isaac Francisco Rojas
The action plan consisted of cutting river communications from the La Plata roadstead to establish a blockade of Buenos Aires, depriving the government of its fuel supply. The unit's firepower was supported almost exclusively by the Naval Training Force that constituted the Ríos Squadron, commanded by Captain Fernando Muro de Nadal. It was made up of the destroyers ARA “Cervantes” (D-1) and ARA “La Rioja” (D-4), the patrol boats ARA “King” (P-21) and ARA “Murature” (P-20), the BDI landing, trackers and tugboats with all their equipment, as well as the troops assigned to the defense of the base, the study centers and the shipyards, namely, officers and non-commissioned officers of the Application School, senior cadets of the Naval School and sailors armed with machine guns, pistols and rifles. On Martín García Island, the head of the Seamanship School, frigate captain Juan Carlos González Llanos, waited expectantly, since he had known about the plot since July, when Captain Rial himself informed him. According to the operations plan, he had to transfer the troops and weapons in his charge to the Naval Academy, in Río Santiago3 and once there, put them at the disposal of Admiral Rojas to incorporate them into the fight. In that sense, on Thursday, September 15, his assistant secretary arrived on the island and confirmed that the uprising began at midnight that same night and that in view of this, he had to embark the three companies that made up the School and the Infantry Company No. 2 stationed there.
On Thursday morning, September 15, General Lonardi went to the convent of the Capuchin friars4 to hear the holy mass and take communion. That day he turned 59 years old and many things were going through his head. Once the ceremony was over, he returned to his brother-in-law's house and once there, he met the young Eduardo Molina, husband of his niece, Ana María Villada Achaval and a revolutionary civil command who, upon seeing him enter, told him that in case he If the coup failed, he had a private plane ready to evacuate him from the city. The general listened with a serious expression and when Molina finished speaking, he thanked him for his intention and told him that the aircraft was not necessary because the revolution was going to triumph. The rest of the day he spent calmly, in the company of his wife and some relatives with whom he had lunch and chatted for a few moments after coffee. The afternoon was the crucial moment. The time had come and he had to say goodbye. He did it with the height typical of a man of his category, in line with the moment in which he lived. After hugging his wife and each of those present, the general put on his jacket and his cap and immediately left followed by Colonel Ossorio Arana and his son. They boarded the Villada Achaval car and left for the country house that Dr. Lisardo Novillo Saravia had in Argüello, a suburban neighborhood on the outskirts, northwest of Córdoba, with Luis Ernesto Lonardi at the wheel and his father next to him. Villada Achaval followed them in another vehicle carrying Dr. Lisardo Novillo Saravia (h) and engineer Calixto de la Torre, with whom he had to wait for the arrival of Brigadier Landaburu and write the revolutionary proclamation together with his brother-in-law. As the hours passed, Captains Ramón E. Molina and Daniel Alberto Correa were ready at the Artillery School along with Lieutenant Augusto Alemanzor, assistant to the head of the Troop Group. On the other hand, at the neighboring Airborne Troops School, Lieutenants Julio Fernández Torres, César Anadón, Eduardo Müller, Bernardo Chávez, Abel Romero, Second Lieutenant Armando Cabrera Carranza and other officers were waiting, ready to begin actions. When the clocks throughout the country showed 9:00 p.m., General Lonardi, Colonel Ossorio Arana and Brigadier Landaburu, left the Novillo Saravia farm wearing their combat uniforms, and headed to the weekend house that Calixto de la Torre had in the La Carolina neighborhood, somewhat further to the northwest, where they had to meet with other rebel officers to continue towards La Calera, a point where another group of soldiers and civilians were waiting for them to continue from there to the Artillery School5.
Colonel Arturo Ossorio Arana
At that same time, in Buenos Aires, the civil commandos led by Raul Puigbó and Florencio Arnaudo, received a suicidal order: they had to neutralize the state radio stations and then return to the Federal Capital with all their weapons, to guard the Naval Hospital facilities. The members of the revolutionary high command arrived at the Calixto de la Torre farm one after another, firstly Captains Daniel Alberto Correa and Néstor Ulloa, followed by First Lieutenant Horacio Varela Ortiz, Lieutenants Jorge Ibarzábal and Héctor Nin and Captains Juan José Buasso and Carlos Oruezabala, the latter with orders to receive instructions to leave immediately afterwards to provide support to Major Quijano. Captain Buasso was the bearer of disturbing news since, during the journey, he had seen movements of strange elements along the way, which were possibly intelligence services loyal to the government. As Lusi Ernesto Lonardi tells it in God is Just, seeing that this was generating some concern among those present, his father said in a firm tone of voice:
-Gentlemen, in every war operation, events do not develop as one wishes. I want to tell you that we must multiply in order to put ourselves in a relationship of one to ten and proceed with brutality. Captain Buasso, go to fulfill his mission.
-At your command, my general! – was the response.
After midnight (00:30), Arturo Ossorio Arana (h) appeared at the De la Torre farm along with two of his friends, Marcelo Gabastou and Iván Villamil, who had come to join the commandos. It was then that General Lonardi decided to set off, but before doing so, he gathered the group of officers and civilians present around him and reiterated his previous premise to them:
-Gentlemen, we are going to carry out a company of great responsibility. The only instruction I give them is to proceed with the maximum possible brutality.
On the night of September 15, at the Artillery School, located a few kilometers from the city of Córdoba, Captain Ramón Eduardo Molina, following the plan drawn up by the revolutionary high command, took charge of the guard after notifying that night he would serve as a service officer. Once in office, he made it known, through Lieutenant Carlos Alfredo Carpani, that the guard posts were in the hands of the rebels and that was the signal that the group led by General Lonardi was waiting for to march. Next to that military unit were the facilities of the Troop School Airborne and in front of both, route in between, their Infantry pair, a powerful combat unit under the command of Colonel Guillermo Brizuela, with more than 2,000 troops under his command. The 13th Infantry Regiment had been merged into the latter when its transfer to Córdoba was ordered and in both, school and regiment, the Justicialist doctrine had taken hold strongly, so the rebel commanders sensed that it was not going to be captured. easy. Very close by, at the Military Aviation School, captains Jorge Guillamondegui and Hilario Maldonado, the leaders of the rebel group, were awaiting the start of the fight, concerned about a meeting of officers that was taking place at that time. However, at that point, no matter what happened, nothing could prevent the launch of operations.
Following the instructions given, at 11:30 p.m. on September 15, the Artillery, Airborne Troops, and Military Aviation schools began war preparations. In the most absolute silence, provided with their war equipment and wearing combat uniform, their troops proceeded to take positions, turning the artillery pieces and heavy weapons towards the Infantry School and placing several machine gun nests at the pre-established points, after reducing all those sections that had offered some type of resistance. Half an hour later, a DC-3 plane with five rebel Aeronautics officers on board left the Aeroparque in the city of Buenos Aires, with the mission of collaborating in the control of the Espora Base. Lonardi and his companions arrived at the Artillery School without incident, entering through the back aboard several cars. He was received by Assistant Sergeant Claudio García and Captain Ramón Eduardo Molina, with whom he headed towards the officers' casino after parking the vehicles near the access. Lonardi was informed of the latest events, the main ones being the arrest of all the non-commissioned officers and the enlistment of the corps of candidates, a hundred soldiers who had to replace the detained troops. Immediately afterwards, he entered the officers' casino followed by Captain Molina, Colonel Ossorio Arana, officers Ezequiel Pereyra and David Uriburu, Marcelo Gabastou, Iván Villamil, Luis Ernesto Lonardi and Arturo Ossorio Arana (h) and with them he went up, gun in hand. hand, to the rooms of Colonel Juan Bautista Turconi, director of the School, located on the first floor. Once there, Captain Molina opened the door and entered the room.
-"My colonel, I bring you an urgent message," he said and immediately afterwards, he gave way to General Lonardi. -Surrender, colonel! – It was the order that the leader of the riot gave him while he pointed his 45 pistol at him.
Far from being intimidated, Turconi pounced on the newcomer and began to struggle in order to disarm him. Lonardi fired and the bullet grazed his right ear, forcing him to abandon his attitude. The unit commander was subdued and taken to the infirmary to be treated while the rebel general took control of the School. At that point it was evident that he was determined to act according to the instructions that he himself had given before leaving: “proceed with maximum brutality” and based on this, he ordered Captain Molina to prepare the combat unit:
-Show me the School in the parade ground, ready to go into action. -At your command, my general!
Minutes later, more than 3,000 troops were waiting outside. The first person to speak to them was Captain Molina, to explain in a firm tone of voice that due to the corruption and arrogance of a government that had been dominating vast sectors of society for some time, the School had revolted. Lonardi spoke next, giving a fiery harangue in which he informed the troops that they were about to enter combat and that all possible firmness and determination was needed. Once it was over, he gave the order to occupy positions and after giving a series of directives to his closest assistants, he headed to his combat position. The School had 60 heavy-caliber cannons that, in the absence of troops, constituted its main defense system and had soldiers from an Infantry company, a sufficient number to establish a relatively important perimeter, although not enough. Twelve howitzers, under the command of Major Melitón Quijano, were placed outside the limits of the establishment, pointing towards the right side of the Infantry School, which would have the support of captains José Antonio Buasso, Eduardo Fossatti and Carlos Oruezabala, who acting jointly with other officers would try to cover them from both sides. Shortly after the School was taken, the first death of that second phase of the revolution occurred. For several hours, General Alberto Morello had been trying to contact Colonel Brizuela to warn him that something out of the ordinary was happening in the military units of the province and when he could not locate him, he dispatched Lieutenant Colonel Ernesto Félix Frías to the place. the effects of being personally imposed on the situation. Frías boarded a jeep and, accompanied by a driver, headed towards the Infantry School but, in the middle of the route, he ran into a patrol of paratroopers who told him to “stop.” Far from obeying it, he ignored the order and continued moving in the direction of the picket.
-Please don't move, my lieutenant colonel! - shouted the officer in charge when he saw that Frías continued advancing - Stop!!
The outcome was tremendous. As the loyal officer continued to approach the position, the paratroopers opened fire and shot him down just as he drew his weapon. He was left lying on the asphalt, lifeless, in the middle of a pool of blood. At that precise moment the Infantry School turned on its lights so that the troops could dress and arm themselves, showing that the surprise factor that the revolutionary forces had had had been lost. In a last attempt to avoid useless bloodshed, Lonardi telephoned the Infantry School to speak with his boss, but Brizuela hung up without engaging in dialogue. And when after a second call he refused to say a word, it became clear that combat was inevitable. Everything was ready at the Artillery School, with all its pieces pointing at its Infantry pair and its men ready to go into action. At the Airborne Troops School, meanwhile, Captain Arruabarrena was waiting with all of his deployed personnel. By then, Lonardi had tried, once again, to establish dialogue with Colonel Brizuela and faced with a new refusal, he had no choice but to begin hostilities. With sorrow and pain, although with absolute determination, he headed towards his command post, on top of the water tank of the military unit, accompanied by his old and loyal friend, Colonel Ossorio Arana, and at 1:00 a.m. on September 16 , ordered the attack.
At midnight on September 15, frigate captain Carlos Sánchez Sañudo appeared at the private home of Admiral Rojas, at the Punta Indio Naval Air Base, to announce that the time established by the revolutionary command had arrived.
-Mr. Admiral: it is twelve o'clock.
Rojas, who at that moment was reading a book sitting in one of the armchairs in the living room, sat up and from his telephone called a meeting in his office with all the members of his general staff made up of his commander, Captain Jorge Palma, the Sánchez Sañudo himself as head of Communications, frigate captain Silvio René Casinelli in charge of Operations, his assistant, lieutenant captain Andrés Troppea and the head of the Ríos Squadron, ship captain Fernando Muro de Nadal. During the conclave, Muro de Nadal questioned the success of the operation due to the lack of committed Army officers and was there, explaining his point of view, when a lieutenant entered the room to announce that General Juan José Uranga He had just arrived, accompanied by two of his nephews, also officers, who were bringing him by car from Rosario. It was the signal that Rojas had been waiting for, which is why, without wasting time, he ordered the enlistment of the destroyers “La Rioja” and “Cervantes”, so that in the first hours of the day they would gain open waters and establish the blockade of the Río de la Silver. At the same time, directives were given to Lieutenant Commander Mariano Queirel to set sail for Martín García Island aboard a torpedo boat, so that the Seamanship School could dispatch all its troops from there in order to reinforce Río Santiago. Immediately afterwards, the base was ordered to ready. It began at 03:00 in the morning of the 16th when the naval officers, blowing their whistles, turned on the lights in the rooms and ordered the 1st and 2nd year cadets who were sleeping at that time, to get dressed and get dressed. Prepare your bags for boarding. They were struck by the fact that many of those giving the orders were 4th year cadets dressed in combat clothing and that the base was completely illuminated. When the sailors went out into the hallways, they noticed that there were Army officers who were also wearing combat uniforms and then they understood that something serious was happening. The troops were led to the study yard and, once there, they were made to form a square. Only then did the cadets realize that the highest authority of the base, Admiral Isaac Francisco Rojas, was there along with other officers, one of whom, frigate captain Bassi (chief of the Corps), gave a step forward to speak. Through his superior, the cadets heard, astonished, that the Navy had rebelled against the government and was preparing to enter combat to overthrow it. Immediately afterwards, the head of the 4th year cadets announced loudly that anyone who did not agree with what was going to happen should step forward and then waited. The slogan was not to involve those who did not agree with the revolution, making it especially clear that no type of retaliation was going to be taken. As Isidoro Ruiz Moreno says, to his satisfaction and that of his superiors, no one moved.
At that same moment the high school cadets, among whom were the children of Rojas and Rial, were awakened by their boss, Lieutenant Jorge Isaac Anaya6, in charge of informing them of the novelty, before ordering their enlistment to carry out auxiliary and maintenance tasks. guard. Marines on one side and cadets on the other took up combat positions and several more formed a line to board the naval units to which they had been assigned.
On the destroyers “Cervantes” and “La Rioja”, their commanders, frigate captains Pedro J. Gnavi and Rafael A. Palomeque, supervised the readiness while constantly giving directives. They were to set sail once the preparations had been completed, after receiving the operations plan from Captain Sánchez Sañudo. The cadets lined up next to the “Hall of Battles”, a large hall decorated with magnificent paintings that represented the main naval battles of our nineteenth-century wars, and from there they marched in columns to embark, greeted by the director of the Naval Academy and the members of their Mayor state. Once at the docks of the canal that separated the School from the Shipyards, the sailors began to board, the older and better trained ones occupying their positions next to the artillery and communications pieces and the younger ones, the surveillance ones, on the command booth.
In the nearby city of La Plata, Lieutenant Juan Manuel Jiménez Baliani was sleeping next to his wife when a prolonged and insistent ringing woke him up in the middle of the night. Extremely worried, he stayed still in bed because in those days, stories of arrests in the wee hours of the morning were commonplace. He remained motionless for about half a minute, hoping in the depths of his being that it had been a dream, when a second touch startled him. Even in the dark, he could see that his alarm clock showed 04:00 in the morning and that worried him even more. His wife was awake when she got up. She told her to stay calm and that she was going to see what it was about her, and while she put on her slippers, she went to the front door, without turning on any lights. Keeping the door closed he asked who he was and on the other side, a weak voice answered:
-Lieutenant Pérez, from the Officer Application School, sir.
Only then did Jiménez Baliani open and look out. He could see that, indeed, it was a Navy officer wearing his uniform, but he did not know him.
"Show me his identification," he said to the newcomer.
The officer obeyed by extending his credentials and after taking a careful look at the document, Jiménez Baliani asked, in a tone that showed annoyance and lack of courtesy.
-What's happening? What does he want?
-I have been given the order to inform him that he must report immediately to his destination. The situation makes this urgent. The readiness of all units has been arranged.
-Very good. "Thank you," he replied. "I'll introduce myself right away."
-I hope so, sir. I have a jeep parked at the door, to take it to the base.
Since Jiménez did not know the officer in front of him, he was suspicious and responded that it was not necessary for him to wait for him because he was going to go in his own car.
-It's going to be late! – insisted the young lieutenant. -Retreat! -the officer ordered- I will report to my destination immediately. Go fulfill other duties you have. -Well sir. Good evening - faith the answer, and immediately afterwards, the subaltern boarded his jeep and left.
Jiménez Baliani closed the door and when he saw his wife standing in the hallway, he told her to change her clothes because she had to take him immediately to Río Santiago. They dressed hurriedly and in the middle of the night, they went outside and got into the car that was parked at the door, the woman at the wheel and the officer next to her. They took the deserted suburban streets and headed towards Ensenada, they entered the open field, previously crossing an emergency neighborhood halfway, where the woman accelerated their march when they thought they saw movements. They thus arrived at the doors of the Shipyard, where they found the iron gates closed and the guard posted telling them to stop their march while dazzling them by illuminating them with extremely powerful spotlights. Without moving from the vehicle, they saw a Marine Corps officer approaching them, illuminating them with a flashlight. When he arrived at the window, the sailor recognized Lieutenant Jiménez and saluted him:
-Good morning. Where is it going? -To the shortstop “La Rioja”, where I am stationed. "Well," was the response, "get out of the car and go to the dock on foot." You better hurry up.
It was dawn when Jiménez Baliani said goodbye to his wife and got out of the car. The young woman remained inside the vehicle, with her hands on the wheel and the engine running, watching as her husband crossed the gate and walked away from her. Only then did she dare to speak to ask the officer on duty if she could stay parked there until she clarified since she was afraid to return alone.
-Sir, could I stay on the side, near the fence, until dawn and there is enough light to return without problems? "Ma'am," the sailor responded politely, "do you know how to drive well?" -Yes – she responded. -Then don't wait a minute. In half an hour the situation will be set up here.” Leave as soon as possible and good luck. -Thank you – the lady responded. And putting it in first gear, she walked away from the place, filled with deep concern.
Jiménez's wife was returning to her home while her husband hurried along the internal roads of the shipyard in the direction of the docks. It was reckless for him to have had himself taken to the base because the places he had to pass through to and from were unsafe and because a full-scale confrontation was imminent.
Once at the dock, she saw the personnel forming two lines, ready to board and Lieutenant Commander Carlos F. Peralta, her second commander, supervising the alignment with two officers.
From a list, previously prepared, they named the surnames of those who would make up the crew that would go sailing. When someone was named, he responded: Present! and she headed on board. I introduced myself to the Second Commander who in brief words imposed my obligations on me: prepare the weapons for combat. He had two assistants: the permanent one, who was then Lieutenant Juan R. Ayala Torales, and a temporary one, Lieutenant Federico Ríos, a student at the Officer Application School, who had been designated for this opportunity.
Jiménez Baliani was informed of what was happening and that way he knew that once the personnel had embarked, the ships would set out to sea on a war mission.
Meanwhile, the base was hastily organizing its defensive device under the orders of Captain Carlos Bourel, who for this purpose had Marine Corps troops and Army officers. Sniper posts were located at different points of the facilities and the artillery pieces of the patrol boats “King” and “Murature” were ready, the first of which was undergoing repairs. Once the revolution began, the rebel high command awaited the reaction of the 7th Infantry Regiment and the Command of the II Division based in La Plata under the orders of General Heraclio Ferrazzano, so their movements, at that hour of the morning , they were feverish.
Notes
That day, the Scientific and Technical Research Institute of the Armed Forces had organized a shooting demonstration to which military attachés and war correspondents from different countries were specially invited. All the officers of the Artillery School had to attend, almost all of them committed to the uprising.
As Isidoro Ruiz Moreno relates, in those days, Captain Rial's home and movements were monitored by security personnel who traveled aboard a car with license plate No. 340 of the province of Buenos Aires.
The movement of the troops had to take place in BDI No. 6 and No. 11
It was located at the intersection of Buenos Aires and Obispo Oro.
The owner of the house, his wife Irene Gravier and his seven children were preparing to spend the weekend at the aforementioned residence. Luis Ernesto Lonardi remembers in Dios es Justo one of them, Irene de la Torre, a charming 15-year-old girl, who prepared and served them food and drinks with great presence of mind, enthusiastic about lending her collaboration.
In 1982 he would be the harshest exponent of the Military Junta that unleashed the South Atlantic War.
