A historical simulation

Por: André Geraque Kiffer

In June 1865, the Brazilian fleet was operating on the Paraná River in support of the incipient Allied operations to repel the Paraguayan invasion, and materialize a riverine blockade of Paraguay. At the end of May 1865, on the 28th and 29, López, in the presence of the Brazilian fleet opposite Corrientes, began to evaluate ideas for attacking it. The Battle of Riachuelo, on June 11, lasted about eight hours and was decisive. The inferiority of the Paraguayan ships was evident and discouraged fire combat from a distance. The ability of Paraguayan soldiers to fight with melee weapons was a factor confirmed throughout the war, so the option for boarding and hand-to-hand assault to capture Brazilian ships was more logical. However, the delay in the Paraguayan movement to the battle area was one of the decisive factors. Our hypothesis will basically test for the Paraguayans an advance on their operation, with the departure from Humaitá at least at 18:00 hours on the 10th. Then Paraguayan fleet would have arrived at the operation area, with enough time to deploy its artillery barges, in a more stable and timely manner. Then, we will prove if, even so, the victory will be Brazilian.