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.
Confronted with this stance, the loyalist forces escalated their offensives and applied pressure from various directions.
-Tell him that we will stop fighting when there is not a single man left to defend the School!
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 operatorAfter 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.
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.
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